Adjusting the valves on my 2016 U force 500 this morning as they are noisy. I noticed the timing chain seems unusally slack/sloppy. Is this normal for cfmoto 500cc? The bike runs and starts fine, 3000km on a crate engine.

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

Adjusting the valves on my 2016 U force 500 this morning as they are noisy. I noticed the timing chain seems unusally slack/sloppy. Is this normal for cfmoto 500cc? The bike runs and starts fine, 3000km on a crate engine.

It should have no free play and the tensioner and bar take out the slack on the back side. If it does have play or slack, there is something wrong with the tensioner system or the chain has stretched beyond it's limits and you best take care of it before it jumps time and wastes the top end.

Adjusting the valves on my 2016 U force 500 this morning as they are noisy. I noticed the timing chain seems unusally slack/sloppy. Is this normal for cfmoto 500cc? The bike runs and starts fine, 3000km on a crate engine.

It should have no free play and the tensioner and bar take out the slack on the back side. If it does have play or slack, there is something wrong with the tensioner system or the chain has stretched beyond it's limits and you best take care of it before it jumps time and wastes the top end.



How big of a job is it to change the timing chain and tensioner? I have the bike half apart now, seats out, console and inner plastics off, pretty much full access to the engine.

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

First you need to decide what's wrong. If the tensioner is just stuck, clean it up, unstick it and reinstall it per the manual. If the chain has stretched you will want a chain, the bar and the upper sprocket if showing any wear along with any gaskets and seals. The process, especially for a 500..isn't that tough but you will want a shop manual to open the crank side and align the timing marks. Because you are a man in need, I will PM you a download link for the UF500's service manual. Your welcome

Thanks once again NMKawierider! Took the cam chain tensioner off, took it apart and it had a broken spring. It would not let it spring back out to ride against the chain guide and apply tension. I will take the tensioner off my spare motor and hopeful;ly everything works as it should!

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

Thanks once again NMKawierider! Took the cam chain tensioner off, took it apart and it had a broken spring. It would not let it spring back out to ride against the chain guide and apply tension. I will take the tensioner off my spare motor and hopeful;ly everything works as it should!

Good...sounds like another CFM engine saved just in the nick of time...lol