New Timing Chain Today

[MPKaier]

   It's been a while since I posted but I thought I would pass on a few things I learned while putting on my new timing chain.  After 48,000 miles I couldn't take the rattle anymore and decided to replace the timing chain.  For several weeks I read snowbums article and my shop manual before attempting the job.  I then called Max's BMW and ordered the parts complete with a pack of M&M's.  Great people, they convinced me that I did not need to change the sprockets,  I ordered them anyway, just in case.  They were correct.  Sprockets looked great.  The one thing I found difficult was getting the new masterlink on.  I wanted to bring the link in from behind so that the clip would be attached from the front making it easier to put on.  What I did was adjust the placement of the chain so that an open area in the case was right where I wanted the masterlink.  Then, taking the old master link I stuck it partially in from the front.   That held the chain together while I prepared to put the real link in.  Then I took a garbage bag paper coated wire tie and looped it around the new masterlink twisting it just a couple of times.  That  gave me something to hold onto, kept it from getting lost, and allowed me enough stiffness to manover it into place.   As it pushed into place it pushed the old link out.  I then Untwisted the wire tie pulled it out and "holy cow" it worked.

3 Things to change while you are replacing the chain is both guides and the tensioner spring.  On my bike the old guides were about 75% of there orignial size and the spring was about 1/2" compressed.  Made me wonder If all I realy needed to do was change them? Hmm.....

Anyway if you have been afraid to tackle the job, just do it.  Mark your timing point, label all the wires and start taking it apart.  It took me about 5 hours.

Bike sounds happy now!!!!

[tagordon]

Thanks for sharing your experience.
I believe I have that job coming up soon myself.
I haven't peeked inside, but that rattle is there.

[Ed Miller]

I wish I knew the rattle from the normal sounds.  Sometimes the Windjammer magnifies normal sounds, too.  Is 60,000 miles too soon?  It would give me something to do for it's summer down time.

[Rob Valdez 79 R65]

Thank you MPKaier, for a good tip on an involved task.

I have replaced one timing chain, but it was so long ago, I don't even remember which engine it was on.
At the time, I had a R100 conversion rig, and some of the maintenance memories blur...

I wouldn't be surprised if my current (2nd) engine that is in my R65 will need one in the next year or two.

Is 60,000 miles too soon?

Possibly getting there.  I think one good way to test is with a timing light.  If the image jumps around, that can be the sign of a sloppy chain/sprocket?
Someone please verify.

[suecanada]

I think that MPKaier's thread would be good for our tech sticky section don't you.  While reading Rob's reply I would also like someone to comment if there are any dangers or cautions when checking timing AND compression checks on an electronic ignition model? Just be good to have that sort of info in the tech sticky advice section. Thanks

[trolle]

60,000 miles was when I changed my chain, and if I had had the good advice of MPkaier a lot of time would have been spared, including the time used for fishing the clip out of the innards of the case.

Even if you cannot hear the sounds of a worn chain you won't be in doubt that it was worn, once you have changed it. The engine will run a lot smoother.

greetings from a sunny but cold north with excellent driving conditions

trolle

[nhmaf]

Yes, I have also heard of using the wire "twisty" method for doing this, though haven't (yet) had to do it myself on the airhead.
Do you happen to have taken any pics of the process ?   I agree that this would be a candidate for the tech session, especially if
anyone could scare up a few pics to help provide a frame of reference.

[Justin B.]

This is how I do it.  I take a small chunk of small diameter gas welding rod (any stiff wire will do) and I lightly super-glue it th the rear of the link.  This makes a handy stiff/sturdy "handle" that allows it to be easily installed.  After you have the clip on the link then a little twist and the wire breaks free and you're on your way.

[montmil]

Looks as if Justin has also wisely used some paper toweling to close off any "land of the lost" spaces where a link or clip might accidently go exploring.  Good tip.  Super Glue does more than seal up my inevitable cuts gained while working with what my bride calls, "sharp, pointy things." [smiley=wink.gif]

[Bob_Roller]

A little tip on installing the retainer clip, make sure the closed end is installed in the direction of rotation.

If by chance it contacts something while moving, it won't push the clip off.

[Justin B.]

Yes...

[MPKaier]

Justin,
Your pictures are perfect...an idea i didn't even think of. BRILIANT!  But then I would not be patient enough to wait for the glue to dry.  If I had taken pictures, they would have looked like your method only with a paper coated wire wrap.  I thought 48,000 miles or so was too soon to change the chain, however, I think the chain wore out faster because the person I bought the bike from lived in the mountains.  I hear that up and down steep hills strains the chain more.

I took the bike to work yesterday and today...what a difference.  It's like a new bike, ran much smoother and down the interstate at 70 mph was a piece of cake with plenty of reserve, I think I gained 5 maybe 10 horses.  I will report if the gas milage gets better.  I was getting right around 40 mpg before.  I also had to turn the idle down almost 1/2 turn.

Mike K.
Wilmington, DE

[Justin B.]

Mike, the twister-tie is perfect and I wish I would have thought of it, Airheads ARE all about simplicity ya know!   8-)  I don't remember if I noticed much mileage increase but it idled and accellerated much smoother but since I put on new(ish) jugs and slugs along with getting the heads overhauled at the same time I really don't know what to attribute what to.  This was on the '81 R100.

I'm not very patient, that's why I used super-glue, anything longer than a few seconds would have had me searching for another method!  

[benlawlor85]

Hi all,
Just ordered a timing chain kit myself, but a little daunted (and cant be bothered!) to fit it!
do u have to adjust the timing afterwards?
and if so is it easy to do?
Cheer
Ben lawlor

[Justin B.]

You should check and/or adjust ignition timing with every tune-up and it is very simple if you have a timing light.