Motorcycle Repair: 2001Cbrf4i, chain tensioners, clutch cable

Question
My 2001 cbr 600F4I is going through cam chain tentioners. My first one had 11500 miles part had a orange dot on the part. The second one had a blue dot on it it last 600 miles. The third one is still in the bike but this should not be happening i will be riding my bike and then the chain will start slapping around my mech will change it and then everything is fine for a while. please help me i love the bike but if i can not fix the problem it has to go. I have talked to lots of people and they say this is a weak point in the 600s thanks Tim

Answer
Hi Tim,

I found this info on cam chain tensioners and the CBR6000: www.cbrlist.com/cbr_faq.html#_Toc517123077

I agree with the modifications. Should fix the problem.

Mark Shively


6.2           Cam Chain Tensioner (CCT)

From:  EhmJay       3/25/01

I hear a rattling and grinding sound when I first start my CBR600(F,F2,F3...). Sometimes it goes away right away, sometimes not, sometimes it does it all the time.… What's the problem?

If your bike sounds like someone tossed a handful of marbles into the internals of your engine every time you start it up and sometimes it goes away right away and sometimes not, most likely you have a bad cam chain tensioner (CCT)—a  common problem with CBR600's. Fixing it is easy and will take the average guy a half hour.

The OEM CCT tightens the cam chain hydraulically. A manual CCT is, well, adjusted manually. OEM is approximately $120ish and will probably fail again in the next few years, a manual CCT is $45 and will out last your bike. Not a tough choice.

Manual CCTs can be bought from several sources. Once you have it, remove the right side lower fairing. To the rear and toward the center of the bike from where the clutch cable bracket fastens to the engine, you will see an ovalish looking part about 3 inches across fastened to the engine with 2 bolts. That is your CCT. Remove the clutch cable bracket makes it easier to get to the CCT. Remove the 2 bolts and the CCT comes right out. I was able to reuse the gasket with no problem.

Put the manual CCT in place and tighten the 2 bolts to spec. The manual CCT instructions say that in order to properly adjust it, you have to measure the slack of the cam chain, which would involve major disassembly. The method that I and others have used is to tighten the adjuster until you feel tension. Start the bike and listen for the rattle. The rattle should be gone, if not, tighten the CCT until the noise is gone. Loosen it until you just start to hear the rattle, then slowly tighten until its gone. Shut off the bike and tighten about ¾ to 1 additional turn and tighten down the lock nut. Reassemble.  Ride!

http://www.cbrlist.com/cbr_faq.html#_Toc517123077