1972 Norton Commando Combat Rebuild (10) - Fitting and tensioning cam chain

[@andyward5866]

Thanks Dave love the videos

[@tadpoles10]

Thanks for the up date Dave, pleased to see things moving along nicely. atb t ..

[@michellejansen38]

Ace, thanks, doing my 750 chain and the bit on crankshaft pinion and the second intermediate pinion marks dead useful as the workshop manual is a bit vague. Managed to upset my valve timing doah!

[@BazzyPredPop]

I want a commando now 😬

[@TheMightyGarage]

They are awesome bikes. If you get the chance to ride one, you will be sold 😉😀

[@lanceditty7300]

3/16" loose play yes

[@MrBeracah]

I am surprised the cam chain tensioner appears to be only a piece of steel that the chain rubs against. Does this arrangement not result in rapid wear of the tensioner plate and the chain outer links? Thanks again for great informative videos.

[@les3066]

It looks like you fitted the thicker outer cam chain tensioner plate long end down? Inner is long end down, outer is long end UP. (Factory Manual, Section C30.7)

[@swooshdave]

Les 3066 Good catch! I have no idea why they’d spec it like that.

[@swooshdave]

The earlier manual shows them the same orientation. I think that might be a MkIII thing when they went to a rubber faced tensioner.

[@les3066]

@@swooshdave No, it doesn't. and no, it isn't as the 064647 rubber faced tensioner was introduced during 1973, first appearing in both the 850 Mk1A and '74 Mk2/2A parts supplements. And manual instructions to fit the outer plate long end up predates the Commando.

[@swooshdave]

@@les3066 Correct, I now suspect they reversed the outer plate to allow for more room for adjustment. The next time I'm in there I'll address it.

[@kengerard1540]

Warm that gear up a bit, slides right on.

[@TheDavey333]

It’s Thursday again, is this going to be a regular feature? Looking good so far, Dave.

[@TheMightyGarage]

Hi David, yes, Dave has made good progress and I'm trying to catch up with the videos. Best regards, Mike

[@michaelhayward7572]

I never understood why Hopwood would want to save a couple of quid in production costs on this motor and his BSA design by fitting a chain instead of a gear cam drive. It was why Degens won the 24 hrs with a Triton because he did'nt trust a Norton timing chain in a 24hr race. Unneccessary design cheapness. Regards,

[@swooshdave]

Sometimes engineers go with what they know and are comfortable with regardless if there's a better way.

[@michellejansen38]

Yes Michael I agree probably bean counting. Pfaffing around renewing my 750 chain I was thinking fondly of my A10 beautiful cog arrangement.

[@glenbreaks5448]

And yet the Norton 650ss won the Thruxton production/ endurance race vs Triumph, BSA and all comers in 1962,63 and 64 with its timing chain in place. Syd Lawton was kindly asked not to enter the Norton 650ss in 65 so as to give Triumph and the other manufacturers a shot at winning!