Author Topic: How to adjust the Timing Chain, (Or do I need to?)  (Read 5673 times)

Offline Opus

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  • Posts: 246
  • 1988 K100 LT
How to adjust the Timing Chain, (Or do I need to?)
« on: July 13, 2013, 01:46:22 PM »
Okay I have looked at my copies of the manuals and have found nothing on adjusting the Timing Chain.
I have checked all the paperwork that I have and can't see when the last time it was checked or adjusted.
Checked the data base here with no joy.
Anyone out there that can help me with this or have any links that I can use to get the information on how this is done. (Or even if it is something that needs to be done.)

Thanks for the help.....

FYI: 1988 K100LT
Toney

1988 BMW K100LT (Current Project Bike)
1982 Honda GW 1100 I (Sold and will be missed)
1975 Honda CB550F [MOD] (Sold)
196x Sears Allstate 250 (Traded in for CB550F)

Offline Inge K.

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Re: How to adjust the Timing Chain, (Or do I need to?)
« Reply #1 on: July 13, 2013, 07:19:22 PM »
That isn't possible, on a K...
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Offline Grim

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  • Posts: 494
Re: How to adjust the Timing Chain, (Or do I need to?)
« Reply #2 on: July 13, 2013, 07:56:17 PM »
It's tensioned by a hydraulic ram via oil pressure.

High miles (100k) you might want to inspect the chain for wear/stretch and check the "slipper" for wear. Other then that its pretty maintenance free. 
1995 Morea Green K1100LT

Offline Opus

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  • Posts: 246
  • 1988 K100 LT
Re: How to adjust the Timing Chain, (Or do I need to?)
« Reply #3 on: July 13, 2013, 08:29:55 PM »
Thanks guys!
It is under 100k but wanted to make sure of the data before I went poking around.
Still a lot of things to learn about this thing.

Thanks again!
Toney

1988 BMW K100LT (Current Project Bike)
1982 Honda GW 1100 I (Sold and will be missed)
1975 Honda CB550F [MOD] (Sold)
196x Sears Allstate 250 (Traded in for CB550F)

Offline jjefferies

  • Motobrick Curious
  • Posts: 16
Re: How to adjust the Timing Chain, (Or do I need to?)
« Reply #4 on: July 16, 2013, 02:48:04 AM »
I just went through a similar consideration on my K75 with 144,000 miles on it and decided against it. As has been stated the chain is hydraulically adjusted and there is no adjustment. That said it is still possible for the chain guides to wear through or for the pad that rests against the hydraulic adjuster to become damaged or destroyed. At which time it is necessary to go in and repair the entire shebang.

The key question is this, does it make noise? I am reliably told that if the timing chain needs R&R it usually will be hitting the timing chain cover and making a fair amount of racket. You can pull the valve cover (as though you were adjusting the valves) and get a sideways view of the inside of the timing chain cover. If you aren't seeing any damage you probably are still good. Comment because of the design of the timing chain layout unless something has catastrophically failed the chain itself is probably good for 300K. It is bathed in oil (from the hydraulic adjuster) and wear is negligible. But of course YMMV.
cheers!

Offline wmax351

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Re: How to adjust the Timing Chain, (Or do I need to?)
« Reply #5 on: July 16, 2013, 03:06:40 AM »
On the post mortem of my 100,000 mile engine (albeit other parts seeming excessively worn despite the lowish miles) I found that the timing chain guides were somewhat worn (at least the tensioner one) and that there was enough stretch that there had been some wear on the housing. The easy way to check for wear is to look at the chain case/cove, and see if there is any abrasion.
  • Albuquerque, NM
  • 91 BMW K75 Standard, 98 Moto Guzzi California EV
Bikes:
Current:1991 BMW K75 Standard, 1998 Moto Guzzi California EV11
Past: '83 BMW R65LS, '75 Honda CB550F, '69 Honda CB175, 1999 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, 1973 Triumph Tiger TR7V, 1971 BMW R75/5 in Toaster outfit, 1979 Harley Davidson XLS-1000 Sportster Roadster

Offline Scott_

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Re: How to adjust the Timing Chain, (Or do I need to?)
« Reply #6 on: July 16, 2013, 07:05:05 AM »
When my '97 was in the shop for valve replacement at 25K miles(a time before I would have pulled the head to do that kind of work, now I wouldn't hesitate to do it myself) they replaced the tension rails, and chain guide and chain. This surprised me since it had only 25K.
I kept all the parts, now I'm thinking I may re-install them on my 102K mile '95 as it's been making some more noise up front than the '97 is now.
I'll have to open it up and check it out, compare them and see.
  • My Garage
1995 K1100LT 0302044
2017 FLHTK Ultra Limited
1997 K1100LT 0302488 (R.I.P.)
1997 R1100RT ZC62149(sold)
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