Another cam chain tensioner question

750 Views 67 Replies 10 Participants Last post by dirtrack650, 2 d ago

K-code

Discussion Starter · 19 d ago

My Vulcan 750 is all stock and has the ticking sound that indicates that the cam chains have too much slack in them. I'm thinking of changing to MCCT but have a couple of questions.
Just what is the problem with the stock automatic cam chain tensioners? Is the spring inside them too weak or is the adjuster too short to take up the amount of slack in the chain or is it a combination of them?
Also I see manual cam chain tensioners priced from $20 to over $50 each. I don't see any difference between the high priced vs the lower priced ones. Can someone let me know if I'm missing something about them?

1 - 20 of 68 Posts

mmart

· #2 · 19 d ago

The springs are normally the culprit on the stock ACCTs, they get weak. The “cheap” MCCTs normally have really long adjustment bolts and that’s a problem for the rear cylinder tensioner, there isn’t much room in there behind the radiator overflow reservoir. Another option from TOC is replacement springs for the ACCTs.

Reactions: 3

dirtrack650

· #3 · 19 d ago

TOC springs are ok. MCCT is the way to go

Reactions: 2

Spockster

· #4 · 19 d ago

On those $20 mccts I would shorten the bolt so it doesn't hit the coolant bottle. That's my plan, just need the right color.

Reactions: 1

Buddy

· #5 · 19 d ago

I have the TOC MCCT they are well made and are plug and play priced Around 50.00

Reactions: 2

Checkered Floor Garage

· #6 · 18 d ago

Buddy said:
I have the TOC MCCT they are well made and are plug and play priced Around 50.00

You must have bought them well before I did, Buddy. When I did my MCCT upgrade in the Fall of 2022 I paid $85 per MCCT.

Reactions: 1

Buddy

· #7 · 18 d ago

I bought mine 10 years ago from TOC those are the ones I had the small oil leak made me nuts I know now how to fix it I will do when I need to replace the acct

Reactions: 1

Buddy

· #8 · 18 d ago

I went on line to megazip and just bought a new set of ACCT for my 1989 bike I have put on 6000 miles on the old ACCT . I tried to buy them before and was told they were discontinued now I just found a new set for 74.00 each plus shipping . I like the ACCT when they are working correctly I do try and stay with stock configurations whenever I can course. I did a lot of mods for improvements. I also have rebuilt the old ACCT with new springs from TOC. So I do have spare older ones with the new TOC Springs as spares.

Reactions: 1

O' Darkness

· #9 · 17 d ago

Spockster said:
On those $20 mccts I would shorten the bolt so it doesn't hit the coolant bottle. That's my plan, just need the right color.

Here's a question:

Has anyone tried adding just a little length along the shaft of the ACCT plunger? Like, maybe a thick washer or something? Just out of curiosity...

Reactions: 1

K-code

Discussion Starter · #10 · 17 d ago

O' Darkness said:
Here's a question:

Has anyone tried adding just a little length along the shaft of the ACCT plunger? Like, maybe a thick washer or something? Just out of curiosity...

This is a good question. In my search it appears that there are cam chain adjuster "extenders" for the ACCT on the Vulcan 1500. It looks like they are caps that fit on the end of the adjuster to extend it a bit and get more tension from the spring.
I don't know how they attach to the end of the adjuster. It would have to be something secure for me to feel confident about it not falling off and roaming around inside the engine.

Spockster

· #11 · 17 d ago (Edited)

K-code said:
This is a good question. In my search it appears that there are cam chain adjuster "extenders" for the ACCT on the Vulcan 1500. It looks like they are caps that fit on the end of the adjuster to extend it a bit and get more tension from the spring.
I don't know how they attach to the end of the adjuster. It would have to be something secure for me to feel confident about it not falling off and roaming around inside the engine.

Good point. It also has to fit within the chain guide.

First I've heard of an extender, the 1500 may fit ours.

edit... Here's a set of extenders for the 1500. The 1500 ACCT looks different, but these caps may still wotk. The cheap MCCT for the 1500 looks identical to the ones for the 750.

www.ebay.com

Cam Chain Tensioner Extenders Fit for Kawasaki Vulcan Nomad Classic 1500 1600 ×2 | eBay

Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for Cam Chain Tensioner Extenders Fit for Kawasaki Vulcan Nomad Classic 1500 1600 ×2 at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!

www.ebay.com

Reactions: 1

Buddy

· #12 · 17 d ago

What holds the extenders on to acct

Spockster

· #13 · 17 d ago

Buddy said:
What holds the extenders on to acct

Good question. Friction and tension? Red Loctite?

If the cap will fit into the chain guide, I think it should work.

Buddy

· #14 · 17 d ago

If it falls out you may have 4 Vulcans instead of 1
Who wants to be the first?

Reactions: 1

K-code

Discussion Starter · #15 · 17 d ago

After reading this install procedure for the 1500 I think I'll just get the MCCTs and not worry about an aluminum button falling off inside the engine.

https://www.vulcandrifterriders.com/camtensionext.html

Sorry @Buddy but if you're looking for a guinea pig for this one it won't be me.

Spockster

· #16 · 17 d ago

If it fits tight enough to stay put during installation, it should stay put unless something else breaks. But, I did some searching, red Loctite is the ticket.

utahmotorcyclist.blogspot.com

How to Install Cam Chain Tensioner Extenders on a Kawasaki Vulcan Nomad

Is your engine making a bit more noise then it used to? If it is, and you have over 20K miles, it's probably time to add an extender to your...

utahmotorcyclist.blogspot.com

Reactions: 1

O' Darkness

· #17 · 17 d ago

Spockster said:
If it fits tight enough to stay put during installation, it should stay put unless something else breaks. But, I did some searching, red Loctite is the ticket.

How to Install Cam Chain Tensioner Extenders on a Kawasaki Vulcan Nomad

Is your engine making a bit more noise then it used to? If it is, and you have over 20K miles, it's probably time to add an extender to your...

utahmotorcyclist.blogspot.com

When I took both ACCT's off today (see my latest post here.) I saw that the tip (the part that touches the compression guide) of the ACCT is attached with two very tiny allen screws:

Automotive lighting Gas Cylinder Auto part Circuit component

You can just barely see them in this picture, but they're there.

That piece is absolutely removable, and could easily be swapped with something else if wanted.

See less See more

Reactions: 1

dirtrack650

· #18 · 16 d ago

If you need to use an extender, your chain is warn severely.

O' Darkness

· #19 · 16 d ago

dirtrack650 said:
If you need to use an extender, your chain is warn severely.

On a bike with only 10k miles???

Spockster

· #20 · 16 d ago

Can also mean the spring is weak when fully extended.

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