Take a peek..making sure this is OK...cam chain

[Glamis400ex]

Just making sure this is OK. This is a CRF450 cam chain on a 400ex. It doesn't go all the way down onto the sprocket teeth. I don't really remember how the stocker looked.

Glamis

[Sjorge450R]

Originally posted by Glamis400ex
Just making sure this is OK. This is a CRF450 cam chain on a 400ex. It doesn't go all the way down onto the sprocket teeth. I don't really remember how the stocker looked.

Glamis

Im pretty sure thats how its NOT supposed to be. And look at your timing marks, they are off.

[Glamis400ex]

LOL...after I posted that pic I double checked my marks...they are spot on. The pic makes it look off. Kinda weird.

Glamis

[NacsMXer]

Originally posted by Glamis400ex
LOL...after I posted that pic I double checked my marks...they are spot on. The pic makes it look off. Kinda weird.

Glamis

Yeah the head surface appears to be reflective from oil or something, but that's why the marks look off in the pics. Hopefully someone will chime in about the chain not being fully seated on the sprocket teeth. I can't remember what looks normal to tell you the truth :ermm:

[Sjorge450R]

i have a manual for a 400ex (part of my 300ex manual) and the picture in there shows the chain going almost completly down on the sprocket. I would scan it in, but my scanner isnt hooked up.

[boricua]

you may be able to run it that way....but i would bet it wouldnt last long. there is a smaller/thinner amount of teeth that the chain to mesh on....the chain will wear down the teeth and skip a tooth, eventually. just my opinion though......someone will confirm your question soon.

[Glamis400ex]

OK....so how is everyone running and raving about this HD cam chain which is only a CRF450 chain?

Did I buy the wrong one? It's a 14401 MEB 671

In the Honda manual on page 7-19 the 3rd pic looks very similair....I dunno

Glamis

[boricua]

thats a good question :chinese:
can anyone answer that?:confused:

[DieselBoy]

there's 3 marks on the sprocket, the 3rd should be at the top like in the pic, it looks like you've done it correctly. did you put thread lock on the bolts? if not, it will rattle itself loose, and you will have a big problem.

[nathan00]

I built my 426 a couple months ago..my chain looked the same way......i have 3 races on mine....and just replaced a t chain on a 99 400ex that had a hd chain from pro fab......it had like 4 hard yr on it...and it jumped time.....looked a fit the same as my crf450....chain and thats what i replaced his with
nathan

[Glamis400ex]

I've had the motor apart many times, and know how it goes back together, I just don't remember the stock cam chain looking that way. Oh yes...I used red loctite as well.

Nathan00, I'm not sure I understand what your'e saying.

[DieselBoy]

the thing covering the left sprocket line is the dowel

now that i relooked......that chain doesnt seem like it's sitting on that sprocket right

[boricua]

what does it look like on the other sprocket, the same?
maybe they sold you the wrong chain???:confused: :huh

[maxamillion]

I believed my 2002 crf450 cam chain looked the same as yours when I installed it in my 400ex. I have ran it about 10 hours with no problems. It actually runs and performs very well.

I dont remember if the stock one fit the same way or not, but Im not taking the chance of snapping another stock 400ex cam chain and ruining my top end.

[boricua]

possibilites: a) all works well from here on out. b) it jumps time. c) wears all the teeth down, jumps time and you'll have to replace the gear, possibly the chain and whatever else gets damaged.......hmm decisions:scary:

[xx3003xrdrxx]

I am almost POSITIVE that is not how your cam chain should be sitting on the sprocket! There should NOT be any gap between the teeth and the sprocket. That is in no way good for the motor . lol . Good luck !:)

[400exredrider]

i believe the cam chains were different for 2003 and up for the CRF

[PismoLocal]

Pm wilkin250r, pappy, or colby together they probably know more about quads than everybody on this sight combined.

[NacsMXer]

Originally posted by 400exredrider
i believe the cam chains were different for 2003 and up for the CRF

Right, as I recall I ordered a timing chain out of a 2002 CRF 450 from Service Honda. There may be a possibility he got the wrong one :confused:

[Glamis400ex]

Thanks everyone...it IS a '02 CRF450 chain. I am going to ask Pappy or Colby. I don't have a problem changing it if it's the wrong one since I don't have it buttoned up yet.

Glamis

[Glamis400ex]

OK...just talked to Colby. He says it's completely normal and has the same exact chain on his built 416. He says it's normal that it doesn't quite ride all the way down on the teeth of the sprocket due to a little difference in the pitch. When I installed this chain and put the tensioner and all that crap back in....there is ZERO play in that chain. Very tight. I can't imagine it jumping time.

Colby has had one in for a while and has had the motor apart several times and has noticed no accelerated or abnormal wear.

Thanks everyone for your input.

Glamis

[Pappy]

Yep, the chain rides a bit higher in the sprockets and it should be fine.

[boricua]

can you change the sprocket?

[Glamis400ex]

change it to what?

[boricua]

a sprocket froma crf450. something that would allow the links to mesh better? im scrapin' the bottom of the barrel here.
well, survey says it will work fine......i cant argue that....

[400exrider707]

It will be fine, mine looked exactly like that when I put it in. I checked it right before I sold my 400 and after about 50 hours of ride time it still was in great shape and looked just like that!

[440_Turtle]

I just replaced mine too and had the same issue, rode it hard all weekend long and didnt have 1 problem.

[rooster300ex]

Get a damn 400ex cam chain, no problems. Its for a crf450. its not made exactly for a 400ex.:huh

[400exredrider]

450 chains are much stronger and work just fine..

[Glamis400ex]

rooster300ex,

If I want your opinion...I'll give it to you.

Thanks everyone else.

Glamis

[theTman]

Originally posted by rooster300ex
Get a damn 400ex cam chain, no problems. Its for a crf450. its not made exactly for a 400ex.:huh

:huh get some damn 300ex shocks, no problems, its for a 450r, its not made exactly for a 300ex

[boricua]

i just looked at my clymer manual.....it showed a stock chain on the sprocket and from what i can tell from the picture.....it too has a gap under the chain. maybe thats how there are supposed to be. soon as i try and learn how to post pics....ill take one so you can see....

[rooster300ex]

Originally posted by theTman
:huh get some damn 300ex shocks, no problems, its for a 450r, its not made exactly for a 300ex


C'mon i'm talking about internal engine parts here. Not even in the same ballpark, playing field, league whatever the heck ya wanna call it!!!! Annnnd i had them revalved for my setup!!

[nakomis0]

Mine crf 450 chain looked that way also. I got 2 yrs on er.

Run it.

[JForestZ34]

Iwas just looking at my manual on my computer. There is also a gap between the gear and the chain. It look exactly the same in your picture as it does in the manual. Don't take my word for it because on other motors I built it never looked that way.


James