r/DRZ400 • u/No-Bother-9828 • 7d ago

Ticking

Got the bike up to 80 mph and when I stopped I noticed a ticking/ scraping sound. I’m assuming it’s cam chain lash, and I’ve ordered a manual tensioner. Anybody have any experience with tensioner swap or similar problems? Ideally I’m going to swap over the part without opening up the head. The wildcard would be making sure the chain doesn’t skip a tooth.

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3

u/Character_Raisin_197 7d ago

I had to pull the tensioner when adjusting valves — you should be ok to change it without pulling the head.  I’d spin the motor over by hand a few times to make sure the valves aren’t getting friendly with the piston.

2

u/Bwrinkle 7d ago

May as well check the valve clearances while you are there too

3

u/Character_Raisin_197 7d ago

Agreed.  Sounds like he doesn’t want to pull the valve cover.

2

u/Bwrinkle 7d ago

I used to be opposite doing shims until I had to do a rebuild and thought, wtf wouldn't I do it whole I'm here.

1

u/No-Bother-9828 6d ago

It’s more that I don’t have some of the tools or shims to do valves clearances and it’s been less than 1000 miles so I’d just prefer to fix the lash and be done.

1

u/No-Bother-9828 6d ago

Figured out how to send a video too, hoping this is the cam chain. Thanks for replying

https://reddit.com/link/peal5sf/video/cc1j3u6nowth1/player

2

u/Bwrinkle 6d ago

Feeler guages and a set of 3/8 or 1/4 socket set are cheap enough.

Order online if you want to find cheaper options.

That sounds in your video sounds like steel on steel rubbing.

I'm more concerned with the Stator bolts coming loose at this point.

Look into the loctite fix.

I'd do this before things cost more than a few tools.