Hit the starter with cam chain tensioner removed

[ruifrsilva]

So I was doing some electrical maintenance while waiting for a replacement tensioner to come in. While checking if all the controls were working I mistakenly ran the starter for a split second without a chain tensioner installed.

I didn't even think anything of it until later on when I was thinking about installing the replacement tensioner and remembered that I ran the starter with the chain loos. Now I am worried I might have caused damage to the engine. I will be taking the valve cover off to check timing but what are the chances I caused major damage to the valves?

[The_Paragon]

yepp, pull it apart and see if its still in time. If yes, install your new tensioner, if not, put it back in time, and install tensioner.
In eather scenerio spin the engine over BY HAND for a couple revolutions, and re-check timing. Once thats in order check compression, if compression is ok I'd say you're probably ok and didnt bend a valve, if you have low compression you probably kissed a valve with a piston. Time to remove the head and order up some new valves.

You could also check valve clearance, excessive clearance would be tell tale of a bent valve, but a compression test would tell you most.

Like how long did you run the starter for?

[ruifrsilva]

yepp, pull it apart and see if its still in time. If yes, install your new tensioner, if not, put it back in time, and install tensioner.
In eather scenerio spin the engine over BY HAND for a couple revolutions, and re-check timing. Once thats in order check compression, if compression is ok I'd say you're probably ok and didnt bend a valve, if you have low compression you probably kissed a valve with a piston. Time to remove the head and order up some new valves.

You could also check valve clearance, excessive clearance would be tell tale of a bent valve, but a compression test would tell you most.

Like how long did you run the starter for?

I just tapped the button and let go right away as soon as I heard the starter engage. I didn't intentionally hit the button, I was actually wanting to hit the horn button as I had just installed a new horn but wasn't paying attention to what I was doing.

[The_Paragon]

You might get lucky then! Probably didnt spin the motor over too much and if you did hopefully the cams spun with.

I assume the chain was still on, just that the tensioner was out.

[ruifrsilva]

Looks like I got lucky. Timing was off on both cams but after resetting the timing I was able to check compression and everything seems good. I'll get the bike back together tomorrow to test ride and hopefully all is well.