Cam chain tension

Last fall I had the brilliant notion to adjust my cam chain - now it makes noise - I don't have a cutaway cover as per the recommended method - so I just chased loose spots and rotated, and adjusted - seemed to go on forever. Now it makes a noise - hard to describe but I don't like the noise, seems to be on overrun, sort of a steel dragging on steel sound - not a rattle.
Just wondering if I should run out and buy a new chain & auto tensioner before I go back in. Do you think it's too tight or loose? I know you can't her the sound but perhaps someone has experience in this and can give me a pointer in the right direction. Thanks!


On a side note - I also timed the bike and found an air leak after installing sleeved carbs, now the bike starts with barley a kick, if warm it just needs to turn over to start - best investment yet!
Phil

Adjust the camchain exactly according to the shop manual, there is one correct spot to adjust it at.

Did you fiddle loose the adjuster foot & plates? they have a certain order to be installed correctly.

Are you seeing metal shavings in the timing case oil residue?

Thanks Grandpaul, If my memory serves me correct I would adjust - rotate the engine back to the same spot and adjust again - every time it seemed to be looser on rotation. Haven't checked for metal flakes. The sound it makes is somewhat like a crow cawwwing. I was thinking it is either too tight and I'm hearing scraping - or some weird lash - but my guess is it's too tight.
How do you tell if a cam chain is worn out - several tight and loose spots? or..?
Phil

Yes, it could be binding links causing arbitrary looseness and tightness.

You can typically see the wear of the surfaces that contact the adjuster foot; the links start to "flatten" and it's easy to spot the shiny low spots.

You'll want to replace the adjuster foot with a newer spec type that has the composite rubbing block, when you replace the chain.

An auto-adjuster is a nice upgrade, but find the thread that discussed one failing and make sure they've sorted that out.

Was the noise present as soon as you put everything back together or did it present itself after it had been run for awhile? If it was quiet when finished and then the noise started I would lie awake at night wondering if something I messed with came undone. The price of a gasket isn't that high to go in and have a look.

Update:
went in on Friday night as I was due for an oil change anyway, the chain was waaay too tight. I must not have noticed that the left sprocket slides forward when turning the engine last time I adjusted the tension. Sounds much better now. 8)
There are grooves in the shoe, but they were there previously - luck would have it my strobe broke - only used it once... :roll:

Thanks for your advice.

Hemmings suggests looking for the tightest spot when adjusting timing chain. Apparently either the cam sprocket or the pinion sprocket can sometimes not be centered on the gear, so there will be loose and tight spots while turning the motor. You need to find the tightest spot and adjust to that. Mick also recommends a cut away timing cover, but there are other tools out there for that, Norvil has one.

Dave
69S

I'm waiting for the gear drive to replace the chain. BTW, where in-the-hell is that thing?