Cam Chain Tensioner - Why upgrade?

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Cam Chain Tensioner - Why upgrade?

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Cam Chain Tensioner - Why upgrade? - 5/19/2006 2:53:34 PM

jjkukla

Posts: 587
Joined: 7/14/2005
Status: offline

Alright folks... I just asked this question in the "CBR Zone" but I figured I would open it here as well. At the risk of sounding dumb, what exactly is the CCT's function and why would you want to put an aftermarket tensioner on your bike?

I mean, I know the affects of modifying exhaust, intake and fuel systems, sprocket sizes, adding a steering damper, swapping stock brake lines for braided lines, etc. but I am clueless when it comes to the CCT. CBR Zone says that it's a "must do mod" so I just want to know why.

Thanks for the input...

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'03 F4i, Yosh Ti TRS, PC III, Galfer brakes, K&N, flush mnts, LSL sliders, fender elim, hugger, xenon lts; Electro-pod, Tapeworks and mesh kits

Post #: 1

RE: Cam Chain Tensioner - Why upgrade? - 5/22/2006 8:23:31 PM

doublechester15

Posts: 31
Joined: 5/5/2006
Status: offline

The aftermarket cct is not a performance upgrade as far as I have ever heard but more of a solid maintenance solution. Less moving parts to fail type thing.

(in reply to jjkukla)

Post #: 2

RE: Cam Chain Tensioner - Why upgrade? - 5/23/2006 12:02:58 PM

1badeg

Posts: 83
Joined: 5/1/2006
Status: offline

When the oem cct goes bad, it looses hydrolic pressure and causes the cam chain to get loose, resulting in erratic timing and some power loss. An aftermarket tensioner isn't hydrolic. It's adjustable and if installed correctly, you'll never have a cct problem again.

(in reply to jjkukla)

Post #: 3

RE: Cam Chain Tensioner - Why upgrade? - 5/24/2006 8:44:29 AM

jjkukla

Posts: 587
Joined: 7/14/2005
Status: offline

Hey thanks guys... I guess when the stock CCT goes bad I'll think about putting an APE on there instead of an OEM part.

Is it difficult to adjust the tensioner? I mean, you don't need a mechanic to do that do ya?

Thanks again...

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'03 F4i, Yosh Ti TRS, PC III, Galfer brakes, K&N, flush mnts, LSL sliders, fender elim, hugger, xenon lts; Electro-pod, Tapeworks and mesh kits

(in reply to 1badeg)

Post #: 4

RE: Cam Chain Tensioner - Why upgrade? - 5/26/2006 4:04:11 PM

snlf4i

Posts: 91
Joined: 5/12/2006
Status: offline

I just changed mine to the APE manual CCT and it wasn't really difficult but more time consuming since I did't have much room to work with so I had to mess around with it for a while, it was well worth the trouble. Once I changed it I would never go back to the OEM part, my bike rides so much smoother and I can ride at 5500rpms and not worry about that damn sound of BB's running in my engine. As for a mechanic no, follow the tutorial on cbrworld.net, follow this link http://cbrworld.net/forums/thread/85183.aspx

_____________________________

2003 Red/Silver F4i
PCIIIusb,Hindle Highmount Slip-on,Sportech Windshield,Targa Hugger,Greggs Flushmounts Polished,Extreme Graphics Undertail,APE Manual CCT,Tapeworks Reflective Rim Stripes and Black Shadow Kit, Vortex Frame sliders, Pazzo Levers

(in reply to jjkukla)

Post #: 5

RE: Cam Chain Tensioner - Why upgrade? - 5/30/2006 6:16:45 PM

paintedblue

Posts: 60
Joined: 8/16/2005
From: ILmatic
Status: offline

has anyone attempted to install the new automatic CCT? or have they just used the manual since it's probably cheaper?

< Message edited by paintedblue -- 5/31/2006 2:38:32 PM >

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Post #: 6

RE: Cam Chain Tensioner - Why upgrade? - 6/1/2006 2:34:48 PM

jjkukla

Posts: 587
Joined: 7/14/2005
Status: offline

snlf4i - Damn I was wondering what that sound was. It's not always bad but you're right, the 5k-5.5k rpm range in 2nd gear really gets things rattling. I honestly had no clue it was the cam chain... hmmm, learn something new every day.

Guess I'll have to look into that sometime soon... maybe a 2006-2007 winter mod!!!

Thanks again to everyone for their input.

_____________________________

'03 F4i, Yosh Ti TRS, PC III, Galfer brakes, K&N, flush mnts, LSL sliders, fender elim, hugger, xenon lts; Electro-pod, Tapeworks and mesh kits

(in reply to snlf4i)

Post #: 7

RE: Cam Chain Tensioner - Why upgrade? - 6/7/2006 10:51:18 AM

sickshifter21

Posts: 69
Joined: 5/29/2006
Status: offline

is it true that the oem cct goes every 2-7g miles and does it fail on all f4i's , and should i replace it now or wait for it to fail

(in reply to jjkukla)

Post #: 8

RE: Cam Chain Tensioner - Why upgrade? - 6/12/2006 11:09:40 AM

jjkukla

Posts: 587
Joined: 7/14/2005
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: sickshifter21

is it true that the oem cct goes every 2-7g miles and does it fail on all f4i's , and should i replace it now or wait for it to fail

Well I don't know about every 2-7,000 miles... but I haven't read anything good about the stock part! So I'm sure it goes bad on all of them. I just rolled 12k miles on my bike and the stock part hasn't destroyed anything as of yet so I don't think it's an absolute "requirement" to replace it. But that will be one of my next mods this winter.

_____________________________

'03 F4i, Yosh Ti TRS, PC III, Galfer brakes, K&N, flush mnts, LSL sliders, fender elim, hugger, xenon lts; Electro-pod, Tapeworks and mesh kits

(in reply to sickshifter21)

Post #: 9

RE: Cam Chain Tensioner - Why upgrade? - 6/12/2006 11:56:32 PM

snlf4i

Posts: 91
Joined: 5/12/2006
Status: offline

sickshifter21

From all the different opinions I have read about the OEM CCT most people say it is more of a nuisance then a problem of it failing and messing stuff up. I found it to be very much worth the work changing it to the APE manual CCT. It doesn't rattle and it feels like the bike is running smoother.

I'm not sure if it was because of the gas or the OEM CCT, it seems like I have been getting better gas mileage with the APE CCT. I went from 36 mpg to at least 41 mpg. I've changed from Chevron to BP. What type of gas mileage is everyone getting? What type of gas are you using?

_____________________________

2003 Red/Silver F4i
PCIIIusb,Hindle Highmount Slip-on,Sportech Windshield,Targa Hugger,Greggs Flushmounts Polished,Extreme Graphics Undertail,APE Manual CCT,Tapeworks Reflective Rim Stripes and Black Shadow Kit, Vortex Frame sliders, Pazzo Levers

(in reply to jjkukla)

Post #: 10

RE: Cam Chain Tensioner - Why upgrade? - 6/13/2006 12:05:23 PM

paintedblue

Posts: 60
Joined: 8/16/2005
From: ILmatic
Status: offline

quote:

ORIGINAL: snlf4i

sickshifter21

From all the different opinions I have read about the OEM CCT most people say it is more of a nuisance then a problem of it failing and messing stuff up. I found it to be very much worth the work changing it to the APE manual CCT. It doesn't rattle and it feels like the bike is running smoother.

I'm not sure if it was because of the gas or the OEM CCT, it seems like I have been getting better gas mileage with the APE CCT. I went from 36 mpg to at least 41 mpg. I've changed from Chevron to BP. What type of gas mileage is everyone getting? What type of gas are you using?

i just ordered the APE CCT but haven't installed it yet. right now i'm getting about 41 mpg when i get out on the highway and thru town but if i'm tooling around town it's much less. i run min. 92 octane in the bike. i read in another thread that the bike will take 87 but i'd never run that. what's the point? you have a high performance bike might as well spend the extra $1 for better gas/performance.

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POW!!! 7-16-06

(in reply to snlf4i)

Post #: 11

RE: Cam Chain Tensioner - Why upgrade? - 6/14/2006 2:50:50 PM

snlf4i

Posts: 91
Joined: 5/12/2006
Status: offline

I usually get the 87 octane, but every 3 fill-ups I use 92. Maybe I've changed my riding style but haven't noticed. Oh Well, I can't complain since i'm getting better gas mileage.

_____________________________

2003 Red/Silver F4i
PCIIIusb,Hindle Highmount Slip-on,Sportech Windshield,Targa Hugger,Greggs Flushmounts Polished,Extreme Graphics Undertail,APE Manual CCT,Tapeworks Reflective Rim Stripes and Black Shadow Kit, Vortex Frame sliders, Pazzo Levers

(in reply to paintedblue)

Post #: 12

RE: Cam Chain Tensioner - Why upgrade? - 6/29/2006 3:23:01 PM

Tahoe SC

Posts: 5874
Joined: 8/24/2005
Status: offline

looks like you guys didn't do enough research before going with APE...first off...the stock cctl is not hydraulic...it's just spring loaded.
if the stock fails and you jump timing...the bike will be running so piss poor...that it'll not even want to move!
if you still have your stockers, take a look at it, notice at the tip there's this pin that runs through the shaft and holds the head on? well, this part wears and has more play than it should and makes a huge rattling sound. the entire shaft has some play in it too so eventually it'll make sound, but the main culprit is the tip! you just need to flare out the pin the holds the tip on to the point that the tip no longer moves. then stick the cctl back in and you'll notice that the vibrating sound is gone.

so see, it was never the sound of the cam chain...one that loud would surely jump teeth on you...that's why no cctl that's loud ever failed to date...

as far as failures, i've seen engines completely go with APE that's too tight.

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