Blackbird Cam Chain Tensioner Replacement - Discuss Blackbird Cam Chain Tensioner Replacement on CBRXX, the ultimate on-line community for Honda motorcyclists. Read it in Honda CBR XX Resource Center. (Technical Articles, Tips, Tricks, How-To's and other useful resources for the Honda CBR 1100 XX Super Blackbird. You cannot post new threads in this forum. Threads containing useful Tips, Tricks, and How-To's will be moved here by Staff as needed.)

BobZ · 10-14-2008, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PJNXX

The stopper tool is a 1mm thick piece of metal shaped like a key that is in the center of the lifter set. After you install the 2 bolts, you pull out the stopper.

And be sure it releases - mine stuck and I had to give it a nudge with a small flat-head screwdriver inserted into the end...just turn it slightly each way and remove and you should hear it release.

CiscoKid · 10-14-2008, 2:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wwmiv

Cool. That's what I was going to do, but I was talked into the manual adjusting version and an internal check up.

I hear yeah, "talked into the internal checkup," well i guess all bike shops do it and there is merrit to it in certain cases

I figure if it aint broke don't fix it but for the cost of $36 for the replacement part and since my XX has 52K miles w no issues I figured thiss was probably the first time CCT it's been changed. It was not overly noisy but it is more quiet now since replacement. with only 19K miles on yours i am surprised it needed replacing already but I guess the type of riding and mileage logged may be a factor and how hard bike is ridden. I can not say I know the whole history of my 97 as far as how it was ridden but having all service record since it was new certainly helps as I see the maintenance schedule was followed to a tee and I see services all over western USA/Canada to Alaska so looks like predominantly highway mileage which is good

Should I need to replace in future I will go to manual if cost is not prohibitive

slyxdevil · 10-15-2008, 4:44 PM

when u bolt unit in pull the stopper tab it releases the spring and u put the bolt back in center hole real simple ..your motor wont fall apart its super easy take 10 min if u are good and 30 for not so good

Catenaccio · 10-23-2008, 6:23 PM

Nice maintenance tip and pics. Thanks.

druggrepp · 10-24-2008, 2:57 PM

Warchild totally right. I just bought a bird w 30k on it and the chain was noisy. $27 for a new cct, 10 minutes and quiet as a vfr. NOTE, you Do want to put the little screw from the old one in the new one, this is a dust sensitive area and the screw inside rotates a the chain stretches.

My Blackbird's engine, at ~60,000 miles, has been sounding like a "bag-o-marbles" for quite some time now. We had a Group Buy for the X-11 Cam Chain Tensioner (a much improved design, we are told) almost two years ago, but I never got around to installing it. Finally did so today, and the engine is silent as a tomb compared to what it was rattling like before!

This took all of 10 minutes to do, and over half of that was removing/reinstalling the right-side cowling.

For those that haven't replaced their's yet, here's a brief summary:
__________________________________________________ __

Here is the X-11 Chain Chain Tension kit, comprise of the CCT itself, and the CCT gasket, which is p/n 14523-MAL-A00 on the left (gasket hidden behind cardboard packaging):

Attachment 780

The CCT is located on the outboard right-side of the engine, slightly covered by the rear of the upper radiatior hose and coolant return line. It's held in place by two 5mm socket head bolts. Once these two bolts are removed, the old CCT lifts straight out. Here is the resultant opening, with traces of the old green gasket that I need to clean off:

Attachment 781

Here's is the nice clean, shiny-black X-11 CCT that replaces the oem silver CCT. The X-11 CCT comes "pre-wound", with the windings held in place by a small steel "key" that you can just see inserted at the top of the CCT:

Attachment 782

The old silver factory CCT had an 8mm bolt installed at the very top of the CCT, though I'm not sure it it had any real function other that to keep dirt/debris away from the opening. The X-11 CCT did not come with this bolt, but just in case it does serve a purpose, I decided to move it over to the X-11 version. Note small steel "key" that I just removed from the new CCT, allowing the Tensioner's "plunger" to descend as designed:

Attachment 783

Ready to rock! CCT installed, bolts torqued, 8mm end cap in place.

Attachment 784[/quote]

BobZ · 10-24-2008, 3:08 PM

Anyone have one of the X-11 CCTs lying around they want to sell? Maybe time for another Group Buy? But I guess we need to find someone in Japan, right?

1ecnirp1 · 10-26-2008, 3:37 AM

Just ordered a new CCT for my XXY 00 BB with 45,000kms (28,000 miles) on the clock... bike does sound a little like the 'bag-o-marbles' others have referred to so might as well replace... didn't appreciate the rattles until I went for a ride without my earplugs!! Sourced it from Jaws in the UK... once again excellent service!! Thanks for the useful fitting instructions....

druggrepp · 11-19-2008, 8:37 PM

Hi,
i bought a new regular honda cct for my '99 bird.
What is a X11 cct?

jsfrv6 · 11-19-2008, 10:40 PM

My CCT crapped out today as well. At work no less. 40 miles from home. Well there I was letting it warm up, just got my earphones in and all of the sudden, the dreaded clang, clang, clang.

THe pisser is I had bought one some time ago just in case but hadn't put it on yet. I had just changed the oil and thought about it but didn't.

Now what, I thought... Well my oldest son works at the same place and luckily he was there on shift so I barrowed his car and off I go.

Now it's an hour and a half later I'm back with all the parts and tools to do the job. Just as I was getting ready, my son walks up to give me some grief about how my trusty Honda left me walkin and that his Kawi was far superior.

Well to make a long story short... 17 minutes after I showed up, I was tightening the last fairing bolt...Not Bad....

Oh yea.... The boy rode it home for me.... I think he's hooked....

PiAnt · 12-27-2008, 6:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PiAnt

Thanks for all the great info on this thread guys. I thought I was looking at a camchain replacement, but I've just nipped to the shop and picked up a replacement lifter set. It's not the same as the ones mentioned here I suspect it's the original. 1430 Baht, about 45 dollars.

Just waiting for it to cool down before I change it.

Update: Couple of weeks ago it started rattling again.

I can't possibly have done another 25k since August.

Can I?

There has to be something better than this.

FrankGarvin · 02-26-2009, 12:39 AM

Installed a new CCT today after an oil change

no more marbles, sounds perfect and smooth as ever

If not for this thread I would have never known about this fix, thanks guys

Curley1957 · 04-12-2009, 11:53 AM

Guys, I feel really silly... I pulled the stopper out by mistake when I was setting the CCT in place without putting the bolts in, now I think this new part is toast, due to the plunger being all the way out and I am unable to get the bolts in , new a new one eh!.

Or is there a way to reset the plunger?

firenspeed · 04-12-2009, 12:41 PM

Curley,

Is there some way to clamp the plunger back in (not on the bike) and then re-insert the key? I don't know about the inner workings of the mechanism, so you might be right that, once the key is pulled you're kinda screwed.

The other possibility is to have a strong (heavy) friend push down on the CCT in some way while you try to thread the screws. I don't know if there's something to clamp against if you have the fairing off. I did the whole thing with my fairing on.

Let us know how it turns out. I don't know where you got yours, but worst case scenario, I got mine from John on this site VERY quickly. It was the double green dot.

BobZ · 04-12-2009, 1:28 PM

You are fine - just insert a thin flat tip screwdriver into the end and turn it (forget which way) and the plunger will retract back in. Then insert the key, or hold the screwdriver in the slot, bolt it in and remove the key, or screwdriver.

Curley1957 · 04-12-2009, 3:14 PM

Hey guys as usual the replys are much appreciated, it it the two dot replacement, I will try it and get it on, i'll let you know how it turns out.

Was a bad day bout a new RK tool for installing a new chain broke the cutter while screwing it back out, can you believe it.... looks like there was an internal flaw in the cutter that threads into the large screw.... not a good day, anyway, I may email RK, just bought the tool of the internet.

Again thanks, all

spstack · 04-12-2009, 10:53 PM

For those of you who are interested... here is a close up pic of the difference between the X11 tensioner and 2 green dot.... looks like a longer tip. I didn't release the tension on X11 until it was installed, so I don't know the difference in the internals.

spstack · 04-12-2009, 10:56 PM

Actually, here is a better picture of the tips... X11 is definitely longer.

ByrdRyder · 04-13-2009, 10:22 AM

Good Info. I need all I can get I am a rookie

ominousone · 05-04-2009, 7:21 PM

I ordered my CCT and gasket from John01XX a week ago Friday or Satd and it arrived last Monday. Excellent service. Installed this on Satd and 99% of the "marbles" noise gone.

Thanks man,
ominousone

MERRICK119 · 05-19-2009, 7:39 PM

THANKS ALL FOR THE INFO, REPLACING CCT PART TONIGHT, FEEL SOOO MUCH BETTER ABOUT DOING IT MYSELF, NEEDED TO KNOW ABOUT THE KEY ON THE END, HOPE IT COMES OUT EASY ENOUGH FOR A BONE HEAD

Curley1957 · 05-19-2009, 8:42 PM

CCT installed, no issues, was able to screw it back in for installation. Started it up the other day ,no marble sound, great. Thanks BobZ.

birdmanxxx · 07-02-2009, 1:03 PM

Problem or not I have the x11 cct and I'm about to install it and I noticed that the key has fallen out and the tensioner has extended will this be a problem on the install can I just push it back in and reinstall the key?

InfernalMajesty · 07-10-2009, 8:24 PM

You can rewind the gear up, as said above. It's kind of a pain in the butt, I played with my old one for giggles. The locking thing seems to be very finicky as you wind it - sometimes the spring gives out and unwinds again. Need to be very smooth and very slow at least on my old cct.

New ones are just shorter, because they are wound. After unwinding they are exactly the same.

The difference is that the spring internally is worn out - not as much springiness to it anymore, so the chain isn't held as tightly as it should be.

Bigkeela · 08-25-2009, 6:10 PM

I could not get the bolt out of the center of the old CCT. It looks like there wouldn't be any way of debris getting inside the cam cover through the cct without the bolt in it.

Should I not ride it at all until I get the bolt for the top?

THX
BK

2000bluebird · 08-25-2009, 6:25 PM

use the center bolt from the old one. they should be the same.

antonroland · 11-26-2009, 3:41 AM

You guys rock!!

Thanks so much for putting all of this up here. I have a great fascination with things mechanical but MUCH less aptitude.

I can get the more basic things done in about 2-3 times the amount of time it would take a semi-skilled guy to do it.

With these wonderful instructions even I can't stuff it up completely

Now to start buying the tools with which to do it...

Maybe someone on here will be brave enough to post a list of all the basic to intermediate tools one should buy to keep the bird in good shape and do all the general things with...PLEASE?

amak1 · 11-26-2009, 5:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by antonroland

You guys rock!!

Thanks so much for putting all of this up here. I have a great fascination with things mechanical but MUCH less aptitude.

I can get the more basic things done in about 2-3 times the amount of time it would take a semi-skilled guy to do it.

With these wonderful instructions even I can't stuff it up completely

Now to start buying the tools with which to do it...

Maybe someone on here will be brave enough to post a list of all the basic to intermediate tools one should buy to keep the bird in good shape and do all the general things with...PLEASE?

hey no offense to anton, but post it in a new thread or merge them, cuz thats a great idea... nice job anton! partsguy or john or graham or the duck builder hook it up! (again about 14 beers deep) btw happy thanksgiving USers !

amak1 · 11-26-2009, 5:02 AM

actually an explanation of my previous post : i went to change my plugs and had a pretty nice ratchet extension only to find out that the plugs on inline fours are like 9" deep. would've been nice to know this before i started. lol

Poundstretcher · 11-27-2009, 5:52 AM

No need to panic if the cct key drops out. Honda advise to screw the old CCT up before removal. I took the key out of the new one to do this and then put it back in. Just keep a little pressure on the plunger with one hand a screw the key with the other.

Arggy · 11-28-2009, 9:34 PM

Just bought a new cct from john and cant wait to fix the bird. Thanks John for the great price.

10-15-2008, 4:44 PM	#93
slyxdevil Join Date: May 02 2007 Location: sussex nj Posts: 228	Re: Blackbird Cam Chain Tensioner Replacement when u bolt unit in pull the stopper tab it releases the spring and u put the bolt back in center hole real simple ..your motor wont fall apart its super easy take 10 min if u are good and 30 for not so good __________________ hard to steer when the devils driving,brakes who needs em they only slow you down NOW ROCK ME UP TO 135!!

10-23-2008, 6:23 PM	#94
Catenaccio Join Date: Aug 06 2008 Location: Southeast Nevada Posts: 1,098	Re: Blackbird Cam Chain Tensioner Replacement Nice maintenance tip and pics. Thanks.

10-24-2008, 2:57 PM	#95
druggrepp DRUGGREPP Join Date: Oct 09 2008 Location: texas Posts: 6	Re: Blackbird Cam Chain Tensioner Replacement Warchild totally right. I just bought a bird w 30k on it and the chain was noisy. $27 for a new cct, 10 minutes and quiet as a vfr. NOTE, you Do want to put the little screw from the old one in the new one, this is a dust sensitive area and the screw inside rotates a the chain stretches. My Blackbird's engine, at ~60,000 miles, has been sounding like a "bag-o-marbles" for quite some time now. We had a Group Buy for the X-11 Cam Chain Tensioner (a much improved design, we are told) almost two years ago, but I never got around to installing it. Finally did so today, and the engine is silent as a tomb compared to what it was rattling like before! This took all of 10 minutes to do, and over half of that was removing/reinstalling the right-side cowling. For those that haven't replaced their's yet, here's a brief summary: __________________________________________________ __ Here is the X-11 Chain Chain Tension kit, comprise of the CCT itself, and the CCT gasket, which is p/n 14523-MAL-A00 on the left (gasket hidden behind cardboard packaging): Attachment 780 The CCT is located on the outboard right-side of the engine, slightly covered by the rear of the upper radiatior hose and coolant return line. It's held in place by two 5mm socket head bolts. Once these two bolts are removed, the old CCT lifts straight out. Here is the resultant opening, with traces of the old green gasket that I need to clean off: Attachment 781 Here's is the nice clean, shiny-black X-11 CCT that replaces the oem silver CCT. The X-11 CCT comes "pre-wound", with the windings held in place by a small steel "key" that you can just see inserted at the top of the CCT: Attachment 782 The old silver factory CCT had an 8mm bolt installed at the very top of the CCT, though I'm not sure it it had any real function other that to keep dirt/debris away from the opening. The X-11 CCT did not come with this bolt, but just in case it does serve a purpose, I decided to move it over to the X-11 version. Note small steel "key" that I just removed from the new CCT, allowing the Tensioner's "plunger" to descend as designed: Attachment 783 Ready to rock! CCT installed, bolts torqued, 8mm end cap in place. Attachment 784[/quote]

10-24-2008, 3:08 PM	#96
BobZ Join Date: May 20 2008 Location: Palm Coast FL Posts: 505	Re: Blackbird Cam Chain Tensioner Replacement Anyone have one of the X-11 CCTs lying around they want to sell? Maybe time for another Group Buy? But I guess we need to find someone in Japan, right?

10-26-2008, 3:37 AM	#97
1ecnirp1 Join Date: Nov 17 2007 Location: Wellington, New Zealand Age: 40 Posts: 20	Re: Blackbird Cam Chain Tensioner Replacement Just ordered a new CCT for my XXY 00 BB with 45,000kms (28,000 miles) on the clock... bike does sound a little like the 'bag-o-marbles' others have referred to so might as well replace... didn't appreciate the rattles until I went for a ride without my earplugs!! Sourced it from Jaws in the UK... once again excellent service!! Thanks for the useful fitting instructions....

11-19-2008, 8:37 PM	#98
druggrepp DRUGGREPP Join Date: Oct 09 2008 Location: texas Posts: 6	Re: Blackbird Cam Chain Tensioner Replacement Hi, i bought a new regular honda cct for my '99 bird. What is a X11 cct?

11-19-2008, 10:40 PM	#99
jsfrv6 Join Date: Feb 04 2008 Location: Picayune,MS Age: 47 Posts: 308	Re: Blackbird Cam Chain Tensioner Replacement My CCT crapped out today as well. At work no less. 40 miles from home. Well there I was letting it warm up, just got my earphones in and all of the sudden, the dreaded clang, clang, clang. THe pisser is I had bought one some time ago just in case but hadn't put it on yet. I had just changed the oil and thought about it but didn't. Now what, I thought... Well my oldest son works at the same place and luckily he was there on shift so I barrowed his car and off I go. Now it's an hour and a half later I'm back with all the parts and tools to do the job. Just as I was getting ready, my son walks up to give me some grief about how my trusty Honda left me walkin and that his Kawi was far superior. Well to make a long story short... 17 minutes after I showed up, I was tightening the last fairing bolt...Not Bad.... Oh yea.... The boy rode it home for me.... I think he's hooked.... __________________ Scott 97 BB "Big Black" "I'd rather die while I'm living then live while I'm dead" Jimmy Buffet

02-26-2009, 12:39 AM	#101
FrankGarvin Join Date: Aug 02 2007 Location: Phoenix Posts: 71	Re: Blackbird Cam Chain Tensioner Replacement Installed a new CCT today after an oil change no more marbles, sounds perfect and smooth as ever If not for this thread I would have never known about this fix, thanks guys

04-12-2009, 11:53 AM	#102
Curley1957 Join Date: Mar 19 2007 Location: Upper Coverdale, NB, Canada Posts: 54	Re: Blackbird Cam Chain Tensioner Replacement Guys, I feel really silly... I pulled the stopper out by mistake when I was setting the CCT in place without putting the bolts in, now I think this new part is toast, due to the plunger being all the way out and I am unable to get the bolts in , new a new one eh!. Or is there a way to reset the plunger?

04-12-2009, 12:41 PM	#103
firenspeed Join Date: Jun 24 2008 Location: Twin Cities Posts: 224	Re: Blackbird Cam Chain Tensioner Replacement Curley, Is there some way to clamp the plunger back in (not on the bike) and then re-insert the key? I don't know about the inner workings of the mechanism, so you might be right that, once the key is pulled you're kinda screwed. The other possibility is to have a strong (heavy) friend push down on the CCT in some way while you try to thread the screws. I don't know if there's something to clamp against if you have the fairing off. I did the whole thing with my fairing on. Let us know how it turns out. I don't know where you got yours, but worst case scenario, I got mine from John on this site VERY quickly. It was the double green dot.

04-12-2009, 1:28 PM	#104
BobZ Join Date: May 20 2008 Location: Palm Coast FL Posts: 505	Re: Blackbird Cam Chain Tensioner Replacement You are fine - just insert a thin flat tip screwdriver into the end and turn it (forget which way) and the plunger will retract back in. Then insert the key, or hold the screwdriver in the slot, bolt it in and remove the key, or screwdriver.

04-12-2009, 3:14 PM	#105
Curley1957 Join Date: Mar 19 2007 Location: Upper Coverdale, NB, Canada Posts: 54	Re: Blackbird Cam Chain Tensioner Replacement Hey guys as usual the replys are much appreciated, it it the two dot replacement, I will try it and get it on, i'll let you know how it turns out. Was a bad day bout a new RK tool for installing a new chain broke the cutter while screwing it back out, can you believe it.... looks like there was an internal flaw in the cutter that threads into the large screw.... not a good day, anyway, I may email RK, just bought the tool of the internet. Again thanks, all

04-13-2009, 10:22 AM	#108
ByrdRyder Join Date: Apr 06 2009 Location: Memphis Posts: 5	Re: Blackbird Cam Chain Tensioner Replacement Good Info. I need all I can get I am a rookie

05-04-2009, 7:21 PM	#109
ominousone Join Date: Jul 26 2008 Location: So Burb, Minnesota Posts: 61	Re: Blackbird Cam Chain Tensioner Replacement I ordered my CCT and gasket from John01XX a week ago Friday or Satd and it arrived last Monday. Excellent service. Installed this on Satd and 99% of the "marbles" noise gone. Thanks man, ominousone

05-19-2009, 7:39 PM	#110
MERRICK119 Join Date: May 19 2009 Location: OLYMPIA Posts: 1	Re: Blackbird Cam Chain Tensioner Replacement THANKS ALL FOR THE INFO, REPLACING CCT PART TONIGHT, FEEL SOOO MUCH BETTER ABOUT DOING IT MYSELF, NEEDED TO KNOW ABOUT THE KEY ON THE END, HOPE IT COMES OUT EASY ENOUGH FOR A BONE HEAD

05-19-2009, 8:42 PM	#111
Curley1957 Join Date: Mar 19 2007 Location: Upper Coverdale, NB, Canada Posts: 54	Re: Blackbird Cam Chain Tensioner Replacement CCT installed, no issues, was able to screw it back in for installation. Started it up the other day ,no marble sound, great. Thanks BobZ.

07-02-2009, 1:03 PM	#112
birdmanxxx Join Date: Mar 21 2009 Location: Charlotte NC Posts: 54	Re: Blackbird Cam Chain Tensioner Replacement Problem or not I have the x11 cct and I'm about to install it and I noticed that the key has fallen out and the tensioner has extended will this be a problem on the install can I just push it back in and reinstall the key?

07-10-2009, 8:24 PM	#113
InfernalMajesty Join Date: Jun 19 2009 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 3	Re: Blackbird Cam Chain Tensioner Replacement You can rewind the gear up, as said above. It's kind of a pain in the butt, I played with my old one for giggles. The locking thing seems to be very finicky as you wind it - sometimes the spring gives out and unwinds again. Need to be very smooth and very slow at least on my old cct. New ones are just shorter, because they are wound. After unwinding they are exactly the same. The difference is that the spring internally is worn out - not as much springiness to it anymore, so the chain isn't held as tightly as it should be.

08-25-2009, 6:10 PM	#114
Bigkeela Bigkeela Join Date: Jun 07 2009 Location: New York Posts: 51	Re: Blackbird Cam Chain Tensioner Replacement I could not get the bolt out of the center of the old CCT. It looks like there wouldn't be any way of debris getting inside the cam cover through the cct without the bolt in it. Should I not ride it at all until I get the bolt for the top? THX BK

08-25-2009, 6:25 PM	#115
2000bluebird Join Date: Apr 17 2009 Location: Red deer, AB, Canada Posts: 204	Re: Blackbird Cam Chain Tensioner Replacement use the center bolt from the old one. they should be the same. __________________ The Blackbird takes off "like a cat shot in the ass" just hear it howl.

11-26-2009, 3:41 AM	#116
antonroland Join Date: Oct 24 2009 Location: Uitenhage, South Africa Posts: 114	Re: Blackbird Cam Chain Tensioner Replacement You guys rock!! Thanks so much for putting all of this up here. I have a great fascination with things mechanical but MUCH less aptitude. I can get the more basic things done in about 2-3 times the amount of time it would take a semi-skilled guy to do it. With these wonderful instructions even I can't stuff it up completely Now to start buying the tools with which to do it... Maybe someone on here will be brave enough to post a list of all the basic to intermediate tools one should buy to keep the bird in good shape and do all the general things with...PLEASE?

11-26-2009, 5:02 AM	#118
amak1 Join Date: Jul 23 2009 Location: Port Chester, NY USA Age: 28 Posts: 187	Re: Blackbird Cam Chain Tensioner Replacement actually an explanation of my previous post : i went to change my plugs and had a pretty nice ratchet extension only to find out that the plugs on inline fours are like 9" deep. would've been nice to know this before i started. lol __________________ Take these sunken eyes and learn to see, all your life, you were only waiting for this moment to be free. Blackbird fly into the light of the dark black night. Last edited by amak1; 11-26-2009 at 5:03 AM. Reason: spelling

11-27-2009, 5:52 AM	#119
Poundstretcher A Rainbird Warrior Join Date: Oct 15 2008 Location: Tasmania Posts: 4,147	Re: Blackbird Cam Chain Tensioner Replacement No need to panic if the cct key drops out. Honda advise to screw the old CCT up before removal. I took the key out of the new one to do this and then put it back in. Just keep a little pressure on the plunger with one hand a screw the key with the other.

11-28-2009, 9:34 PM	#120
Arggy Join Date: Dec 21 2008 Location: Abilene, Ks Posts: 6	Re: Blackbird Cam Chain Tensioner Replacement Just bought a new cct from john and cant wait to fix the bird. Thanks John for the great price.

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