Timing chain

dudek12 · 04-08-2007, 05:14 PM

I have a 1998 ZX6R and the timing chian needs to be replaced. Can someone tell me how hard it is to do. What a good price is to fix itand parts. thanks

Veefer97 · 04-08-2007, 07:59 PM

I think that the cases have to be taken appart. Lots of work starting with the engine being pulled out of the frame. May be cheaper to buy a good used engine.

vaanen · 04-08-2007, 09:08 PM

surely not..........just to replace that?

where abouts is the timing chain located? on the side or in the centre of the cylinder block?

Can you not just split the old one, attatch the new one to the old one with some wire and pull it round while turning the crank? If you kept the chain on the cam sprockets aswell then you could turn the cams at the same time and retain the correct timing, then just rivet the chain up once its all the way round. I'm only guessing here as i've never done the job nor worked on that bike so don't take this as gospel, just makes sense to me to do that.

Maybe there's an even easier way

ZXLNT · 04-08-2007, 11:51 PM

Timing chains aren't like drive chains, no master link. Normally that means splitting the cases if the chain is driven off the middle of the camshafts. On the ZX6R though its driven off the end of the camshafts. You might be able to replace it if you can get it off the crank shaft drive gear. Many times a metal guide thats made integral to the engine case is in the way and wont let the chain slide off the gear. If you can get it off the crank gear and get the tensioners loosened you may be able to replace it. I know I did on my old 900 Ninja way way back in the day, and it was set up like the ZX6R.

vaanen · 04-09-2007, 01:11 AM

you could take the camshaft sprockets off (if they are detachable)......
or just take the camshafts off altogether.......
easier than splitting the cases.....

It seems like a poor design to me to have the cams driven in the centre, luckily it seems most modern bikes have it on the side now!

On my bike there is a removable cover on the right side end of the crank (called Pickup Rotor Cover) you can take that off and get access to the timing chain and crankshaft drive gear from the bottom.......a much better design!

vaanen · 04-09-2007, 01:16 AM

So correct me if i'm wrong......

Concerning these bikes that have the cams driven in the centre, if what you say is correct then surely just removing the camshafts would entail splitting the cases as you would not be able to remove them without somehow releasing them from the timing chain i.e. splitting it........is this correct? or have i missed something?

Sorry for the threadjacking Dukek12

ZXLNT · 04-09-2007, 02:02 AM

Even if you removed the camshafts you still can replace the chain without splitting the cases. No way to get it off the crank gear. If the cams are driven in the middle you HAVE to split the cases to replace the chain..

SqDancerLynn1 · 04-09-2007, 03:06 AM

Not recomended but you can re rivet the cam chain. How many miles ? Could just be a tensioner problem

ZXLNT · 04-09-2007, 07:57 AM

Its possible it could be a tensioner problem. On the 900 Ninja series engines which is the 900/1000 Ninja ZX10 and ZX11 the cam chains would rattle because the tensioner was in between clicks. One could loosen the two 8mm mounting bolts and gently carefully let the tensioner come away from the cylinder head until it clicked once or twice and then re-tighten the bolts. Eliminated most of the noise. I did that trick on both my 900 Ninja and ZX10 and ZX11's I had..

I wouldn't recommend a master link type timing chain. But I am somewhat anal about things..

Veefer97 · 04-09-2007, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vaanen

you could take the camshaft sprockets off (if they are detachable)......
or just take the camshafts off altogether.......
easier than splitting the cases.....

It seems like a poor design to me to have the cams driven in the centre, luckily it seems most modern bikes have it on the side now!

On my bike there is a removable cover on the right side end of the crank (called Pickup Rotor Cover) you can take that off and get access to the timing chain and crankshaft drive gear from the bottom.......a much better design!

My 1999 ZRX has a side chain and the cases still need to be split in order to replace the chain, as per the manual.

vaanen · 04-09-2007, 06:04 PM

What a faff eh! these bloody jap designers think they're clever don't they, i think they're all just having a good laugh at our expense!

ZXLNT · 04-10-2007, 01:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Veefer97

My 1999 ZRX has a side chain and the cases still need to be split in order to replace the chain, as per the manual.

I "bet" you can actually do it without splitting the cases. That motor is based on the old 900 Ninja motor and I replaced a couple chains without splitting the cases. Main thing stopping it would be a small casting around the crank gear keep it from coming off.

Veefer97 · 04-10-2007, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZXLNT

I "bet" you can actually do it without splitting the cases. That motor is based on the old 900 Ninja motor and I replaced a couple chains without splitting the cases. Main thing stopping it would be a small casting around the crank gear keep it from coming off.

I agree, but you have to cut that portion of the case off. One has to worry about the aluminum shavings and where they may migrate to. Easier than splitting the cases for sure