Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 7:23 pm
Is the thread size 10 or 12mm?
Z1OwnersClub GB
Kawasaki's Air Coooled Big Fours
http://rtest.z1ownersclub.co.uk/phpBB3/
Manual cam chain tension adjusters
http://rtest.z1ownersclub.co.uk/phpBB3/viewtopic.php?f=4&t=362
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Posted: Thu Nov 16, 2006 7:44 pm
Rich, just measured mine (ooooh errrrr missus) and its only 10mm diameter thread.. its an APE! :p
Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 6:14 am
Thanks Pigford.
Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 8:52 am
Was thinking about knocking up one of these too. Just looks like an alloy plate with threaded bolt n locknut with the end rounded off. Is there more to it than that?
Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 12:15 pm
Thread is 10mm, If you are making one yourself there a couple of things to consider, the alluminium body needs to be about 1 inch thick where the thread is, if you made the body out of anything thinner the thread will wear as this thread is under the force from the back lash of the camchain, once thre is some play in the thread the camchain slack or tension is no longer under full control and the back and fro movement will accelerate the wear on the body, as you can see from the picture of the APE tensioner the tensoiner body needs to sit inside the block casting, you will also need to seal this thread against oil leaks at different tempertures, APE use an O ring inside the body and under the lock nut, you will not be able to use a bolt for the tensioner as you need a a smooth larger diameter dome to locate against the wheel and tensoiner body, the end of a 10mm bolt would be to small and wear the wheel/tensoiner assembly, This dome can not be added afterwards incase it worked loose and dropped of into the engine.
Final point I would like to make is that all the hard work has been done for you and these are readily available, (tomorrow morning delivery) from debben.co.uk and with your Z1 owners club discount just ?38.02 + vat, delivery. I normally avoid posting pictures of our products but have done on this occasion incase anybody wants to see whats involved in making there own, Regards, Steve
Final point I would like to make is that all the hard work has been done for you and these are readily available, (tomorrow morning delivery) from debben.co.uk and with your Z1 owners club discount just ?38.02 + vat, delivery. I normally avoid posting pictures of our products but have done on this occasion incase anybody wants to see whats involved in making there own, Regards, Steve
Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 4:52 pm
Ok no probs, cheers for that. Not worth me making one when theyre readily available for that price. 
: Might order one up somepoint soon.
: Might order one up somepoint soon.Posted: Fri Nov 17, 2006 7:17 pm
Thanks for the info everyone.
I worked out the thickness to be 27mm scaling from a photo. As you say the thickness adds stability to the screw, I hadn't realised about the o-ring. Making one will be a lot more satisfying (have lathe can turn!) than sitting watching Torchwood with my misses and I need to get my monies worth out of the minimum order quantity at Mansfield Anodisers!
I worked out the thickness to be 27mm scaling from a photo. As you say the thickness adds stability to the screw, I hadn't realised about the o-ring. Making one will be a lot more satisfying (have lathe can turn!) than sitting watching Torchwood with my misses and I need to get my monies worth out of the minimum order quantity at Mansfield Anodisers!