Cam chain vs Cam Chain Tensioner - ticking noise

I have a 1983 VF750f and there is excessive ticking in the top end very similar to this Magna (see links below). In this case the fellow switched out the cam chain tensioners and solved the problem. In other situations, folks have replaced the cam chain. I checked my alignment and there were the required 46 chain pins between marks on the cam gears but there was a fair bit of slack in the chain. How does one know if a cam chain tensioner is not functioning properly? Can I assume that the problem would be the spring? New springs are not available. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

I found this information at this fellows website.

Improper cam chain tension.

Various redesigned cam chain tensioners have been developed. My mechanic says none of them really work much better; other mechanics say they do work better. It's basically a screen-door arm-stop design. If your engine rattles a lot at idle but gets much smoother and quieter at 3000 to 3500 rpm, one or both cam chain tensioners are not working. Sometimes you can poke the adjuster to make it take up the slack, but this doesn't always work. The shop manual describes this procedure and includes a diagram showing how to do it.

https://www.math.uwaterloo.ca/~rblander/V4_cams.html

 

I just noticed something interesting. I inspected the cam chain tension blade from my parts bike and it appears that the ones in my bike are worn out. The one at the top is my bike and the other the parts bike. The one from my bike is much flatter. Could this be the issue?

 

The tensioner failed and backed off or got stuck is my guess. The rod and the lock tend to wear poorly or just bend and stick.

 

Interesting. Do you suggest that I buy a new used tensioner? What wear should I look for on the tensioner unit?

 

Thanks for the link. Is there any way to reuse what I have?