Thread: cam chain question

I installed the new cam chain kit yesterday I got off ebay, cheap, and now the motor turns hard by hand. The spark plug is out, the chain tension is set properly, I can turn it with the flywheel but it's way harder to turn than before. Is this normal for a new chain to be so tight? will it loosen up when I get the motor up and running? anybody install a new chain and gear set before and had the same concerns?

thanks, scott

Something's not right. First place I'd look is inside the cylinder tunnel. It's not hard for a novice to miss the roller with the chain. A cam chain that's too short, or total crap, could cause binding. I've yet to see a new cam chain that poorly made. More likely that one of the rollers or idlers is out of place, or the chain is off of one. If all else fails, pull the cam chain and compare it side-by-side with your original, if you find nothing out of place.

I tear everything down to the point of loosening the three cam gear bolts so that I can pull the gear then pull the cylinder head and finally pull the chain. I start to turn the wrench and everything is moving freely now, what the heck. So now I start the reassembly process one part at a time, install it then rotate the motor to make sure it still moves, something I should have done in the first place. Things are going good till I put the cam gear cover back on the cylinder head, it stiffens right up. Take the cover back off and there is a ring on the gear where its making contact. There is a piece on the back side of the cover that sticks out and that is what is making contact with the gear. I will check my torque on the bolts again, then reinstall the cover. If nothing else, I can sand down that piece to the point of it not making contact? Thanks for your help RacerX, it's looking like it will be around 50 and sunny today, I'm riding!

Scott