Cam chain tensioner

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Mar 13, 2013
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I bought a hydraulic cam chain tensioner from Jim Comstock back September 2013. It was working fine until I removed it for engine overhaul. After it being off the bike for months laying on its side the oil ran out of it so no hydraulic action. Can someone tell me how to repair it so that it can be reinstalled for many more thousands of miles. Thank you.
 
From my instruction sheet - Before the final installation of the tensioner you will want to remove the zip tie and immerse the tensioner in oil with the hole up while pumping the the plunger until it gets hard and the air bubbles stop coming out of the hole. using a piece of wire or small welding rod you can put it in the hole to open the check valve and allow the shoe to retract.
 
From my instruction sheet - Before the final installation of the tensioner you will want to remove the zip tie and immerse the tensioner in oil with the hole up while pumping the the plunger until it gets hard and the air bubbles stop coming out of the hole. using a piece of wire or small welding rod you can put it in the hole to open the check valve and allow the shoe to retract.
I am usually very good about keeping installation instructions but after all a move they were misplaced. If you would please send me the instruction sheet I would be very grateful. Thank you.
 
From my instruction sheet - Before the final installation of the tensioner you will want to remove the zip tie and immerse the tensioner in oil with the hole up while pumping the the plunger until it gets hard and the air bubbles stop coming out of the hole. using a piece of wire or small welding rod you can put it in the hole to open the check valve and allow the shoe to retract.
Could you post those instructions on here please?
 
Could you post those instructions on here please?
Sorry, my mistake, I don't have physical instruction sheet that came with the unit. What I have is the saved web page I printed out from this site (from 2012) with pictures and instructions posted by Jim Comstock. I tried doing a search for on here so I could just post the link but couldn't find it.
 
Sorry, my mistake, I don't have physical instruction sheet that came with the unit. What I have is the saved web page I printed out from this site (from 2012) with pictures and instructions posted by Jim Comstock. I tried doing a search for on here so I could just post the link but couldn't find it.
I got the same but it works as intended. Jim doesn't talk much on here lately. Too bad.
 
 
I have been running an auto timing chain adjuster for over 35 years, and works a treat, have never had any problems with it, no need to pull the timing cover off every 10k miles to adjust the chain, its not a Comnoz made one.
 
I have been running an auto timing chain adjuster for over 35 years, and works a treat, have never had any problems with it, no need to pull the timing cover off every 10k miles to adjust the chain, its not a Comnoz made one.
Did you get yours from Kelly Cork - up Maleny way?
I think it's a ratcheted spring type.
 
Did you get yours from Kelly Cork - up Maleny way?
I think it's a ratcheted spring type.
Thanks Rob that's the one for some unknown reason I always forget that, got mine from Pioneer MC when they moved to Caloundra and yes it is the ratcheted spring type, never had any problems with it in all the time I had it, think I only paid $100 for it at the time.
 
Jim had some innovative product designs like crankcase breathers, head steady's and hydraulic clutch conversions that became market items by CNW & NYC. Wonder why the cam chain tensioner wasn't one of them?
 
I would be definitely up for one 8) .

I asked Jim probably around 5 years ago and he had none in stock
Wow, I’d never seen one before, what a nice device. I wonder if Jim would consider making a new batch if there was enough demand?
 
Wow, I’d never seen one before, what a nice device. I wonder if Jim would consider making a new batch if there was enough demand?
Cliffa, what's your basis for that comment?
I have never seen one and, with respect to Jim, don't know if it's a nice device.
What have you seen?
Cheers
Rob
 
It is a ‘nice’ unit in that it appears well thought out and constructed, and does what it says it does.

Below is a pic of one in situ and disassembled.

Personally, with the availability of such excellent IWIS chains from The Chain Man, I reverted back to the standard manual adjuster.

I never had an issue with the auto adjuster, but I don’t have an issue with the manual one (with IWIS chain) either, and being a simplicity obsessed Luddite, the stock one won me over !

IMG_0757.jpeg


IMG_0542.jpeg
 
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Cliffa, what's your basis for that comment?
I have never seen one and, with respect to Jim, don't know if it's a nice device.
What have you seen?
Cheers
Rob
Hi Rob, I looked at the original thread. Jim had fully tested it (as you'd expect with Jim) before starting to sell them. I like the fact that once fitted it should never need looking at again, as it tops itself up with splash fed oil. Later in the thread (before it goes of at a tangent) you'll see that Jim also included the big pin chain from Andy the chain man.

 
It is a ‘nice’ unit in that it appears well thought out and constructed, and does what it says it does.

Below is a pic of one in situ and disassembled.

Personally, with the availability of such excellent IWIS chains from The Chain Man, I reverted back to the standard manual adjuster.

I never had an issue with the auto adjuster, but I don’t have an issue with the manual one (with IWIS chain) either, a being a simplicity obsessed Luddite, the stock one won me over !

View attachment 116453

View attachment 116454
If you still have it and are interested in selling it, could you P.M. me please?
 
Here are some pics of the Kelly tensioner I got from a previous post.

Cam chain tensioner


Cam chain tensioner


Cam chain tensioner


Cam chain tensioner


Cam chain tensioner


Cam chain tensioner



Cam chain tensioner


Cam chain tensioner


As the Kelly tensioner was no longer available and the details of the ratchet tensioner were unknown except it was used on a Nissan the nearest I could find was a Cloyes 9-5327 which works the same way but shaped slightly differently. I did get two of these but with the advent of the Big Pin pre worn chain with its much lower wear rate then I just fitted this chain with a normal later rubber backed tensioner. The Cloyes now work tensioning another chain, they do need an oil drip feed so that the internals get some oil so you open out a path for the splashed oil inside the timing case to make its way to the feed hole.
 
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Hi Rob, I looked at the original thread. Jim had fully tested it (as you'd expect with Jim) before starting to sell them. I like the fact that once fitted it should never need looking at again, as it tops itself up with splash fed oil. Later in the thread (before it goes of at a tangent) you'll see that Jim also included the big pin chain from Andy the chain man.

Thanks Cliffa - I don't remember seeing that.
Cheers
 
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