Manual Cam Chain Tensioner, good or bad?

I know very little about how well a manual cam chain tensioner would work for everyday use. Is there any reason not to use one? Do you have to continually make adjustments to it?

Any input would be appreciated.

If you look after it, a manual tensioner should do fine. I've had a couple of bikes over the years with these and there's been no trouble. In fact I think that APE makes a nice one for our KZ's. They'd probably be able to give an good estimate on maintenance intervals too.

Sam

ditto;)

The KZ750 twins have a manual tensioner stock.
But it's on the front of the motor and easy to get access to adjust it.

I had an APE tensiner n mine but took it off recently when I just could'nt get it set right. I might try it again next season.

kzrider.com/component/option,com_joomlab...id,2/id,62350/#62350

So how are you supposed to check it? Do you turn in the nut until it's tight, and then back it off some?

I must say I've never had any trouble with stock tensioners backing off, but I've got an APE manual one on my bike anyway for peace of mind. Turning the motor over forward slowly by hand I screw in the tensioner bolt with my fingers until it won't go any further, then back it off one flat and lock it.

I think I will go ahead and order the manual tensioner then. Thank guys!

An update....

I received my tensioner, and installed it today. Yeah, about 90% of the "bad" noises (rattles) went away! I'm very glad I bought this little device. Anyone else with the same problem I had should definitely look into the APE manual tensioner.

i had trouble putting on my tensioner once during my rebuild. The shaft in the tensioner would come out but not go in the tensioner case itself and the little bearing would constantly stop it from going backwards., and even when I tightened the screw the shaft would still shoot out. Well i looked very closely and thought it through andrealised that the washer under the screw head might be stopping the screw from stopping the shaft from moving, so I removed the washer and the screw stopped the shaft from coming out and i installed my tensioner then removed the screw and put the washer back on, simple as that!!

The side load tensioners like in your turbo held up better than the original KZ automatic tensioners did. Lot's of problems with auto tensioners from Japan. APE has a manual replacement for many motors. Good stuff too.