Sorry, didn't mean to really shock you, thing is not actually knowing if it is coming from the cam drive makes it hard to know for sure. That and as loud as it was, there is no predicting when things can screw up.

I am Krieger, TNC worked with me some years back, doing the layout to make a manual tensioner for the KLX. With the manual tensioner you adjust the play out of the tensioner and lock it in. As the chain wears it may start ticking slightly, that is when there is need for adjustment, but it will be no where near as loud as yours is now.

Either way, go to the web site, contact me. The kit is still $36 plus shipping. If in the US the shipping is $6.80.

If you have the ability to do minor maintenance on your bike like tire changes (removing/reinstalling wheels), have the proper tools, and can read and follow directions to the letter, you can remove the old unit and install/adjust the new one. It took me about 1/2 hour to do mine. Hardest part is putting in the inside mount bolt. There is a picture of a tool made up with a 4mm allen socket and extensions to get enough force to tighten the fasteners, use some blue LocTite on them. If you do the fine tuning you'll need to use the same set up with a 6mm allen socket.

Either way, give a yell. I have the kit.

Side note: this kit only fits KLX250/300 engines, no others. If you look on ebay you may find one they say will fit, but it will not. The fact that it is claimed to fit other models is the give away. I also do tensioners for those other models - they don't interchange. Also don't buy from me on ebay, costs you more and I absorb some of the fee too, we both lose out. Go direct.

 

It's not often Krieger/KLX678/Mark tells someone to quit riding it now! Usually he says do it when you get a chance. This one must be bad.

I am one of the many happy owners of his manual cam chain tension adjuster and have been for years.

 

Uh oh.
My KLX makes the same clicking noise. Not very loud, but noticeable. I thought it was normal.

I already put my bike away for winter, but come spring, I'll start her up and listen in again and see if I too have the problem. Bought my bike near stock at 2k miles and now have her at roughly 5k.

 

It is normal, not good, but normal. That's why so many riders end up putting the manual unit on their bike... it's normal for the OEM to crap out.

I will tell you mileage doesn't really play a part in it. My 650 had one gone at 5000 miles the second one toast at under 14,000. Others get more miles some get less.