Motorcycle Repair: noisy honda, v65 sabre, honda xl

Question
QUESTION: I have an 87 honda xl 250rfvc with what sounds like a noisy rocker when first starting,if I let it idle 5-10 minutes noise will stop.when I get on the throttle alittle,noise will come back but when on it hard seems to quiet down.when it comes back down to an idle noise will come back and then go away.I took the valve cover off and can lift cam chain slightly off of the sprocket.is that ok? can that chain be adjusted?does changing the chain require spliting the engine?also do you know the valve clearances for this engine? anything you could tell me would help. thanks

ANSWER: I'm afraid most of my experience is on the earlier Hondas prior to 1982. I have a 85 V65 Sabre, an 84 VF1000F interceptor and a 85 XR600R so I can answer some questions on those models.  

I looked up the cam chain assembly on line and that motor has a spring loaded tensioner so there's no adjustment.  If it's just a click,click, click type of noise it's probably not the cam chain. A bad or worn out cam chain will be more of a rattling noise like a bunch of beebees in a can. Take a screwdriver and hold the handle up to your ear and the blade on the engine in various locations.  It will act just like a stethoscope.  You should be able to pinpoint where the noise is coming from.

No, you don't have to split the cases.  You can get to it under the right hand clutch cover but I don't think that is the problem. Adjust valves to .012mm clearance exh. and .010mm clearance intake.  

I'd be interesting in hearing what you find out.   

Good luck

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks. about the tensioner,does it come out by removing the 2 bolts at the top into the head or is there also something down below? also i noticed a cam bearing that seems to wiggle alittle from top race to bottom and the bearings seem loose on the camshaft,meaning i can slide the cam back and forth slightly while the bearings stay still? should those bearings be tight on the cam?could you tell me how to take the camshaft out. thanks again.

Answer
Like I mentioned in my earlier response, my experience is limited on this model year.  If you had ask me how to get the cams out of a 1969 Honda CB450 or an 80 goldwing.  I could give you step by step.  

But I'll give you my best guess having never taken one of these apart.  First, you want to pull the engine out of the frame unless you can get the top engine cover off in the frame. You'll also have to remove the right side clutch cover so you can get to camchain sprocket.  You'll probably have to pull the clutch gear off so you can get the chain off the lower sprocket.  Once the top cover and side cover are off you'll be able what you need to see to get the tensioner out.  

As far as looseness in the bearings...they will probably float a tiny bit on the bearing and head.  These probably aren't clamped tight when the top cover is bolted down and the head will hold the bearing in alignment.  Typically, Honda would either key, pin or make a thrust bearing on parts that had to be kept in one location.  I'm guessing the cam will float back and forth a small amount in the head without causing any problem.   Sorry I can't be of more specific help.