Topic: 76' Honda CB500T Camshaft Timing Mistake Question.

[Pirate Gonzo]

I replaced the head gasket on my 500T put it all back together but forgot to set the timing before hand  . Is there a way to turn the camshafts with the cam chain on or am I ordering a new link? I have tried a few different things but had no luck in getting enough slack in the chain to turn them individually.

Any trick that anyone knows or just order a new link and cut it?

Thanks!

[grcamna2]

Pirate Gonzo,
     If you install the new link...you'll have to do the same thing anyway..... .
      I would pull the cam chain tensioner and it should give you enough slack to "slip" the cam chain one tooth at a time to gain you're valve timing;they can be a PAIN when you release the tension bolt on the tensioner assembly w/ all those different sprockets and such.... I bent an intake valve once trying to turn it over w/o being sure it was truly on the mark.It helped me to get all the cam chain slack taken up from the lower end w/ two lengths of thick copper wire..one through each large cam inspection port; I would also "put my own pre-tension on it" w/ different tools before I slipped the adjustment lock bolt loose on the cam chain tensioner.
  I had Fits over it  for a whole a day...! until I got it to where it was "drawn up from the bottom" the way I liked it  ...and then...I would finish by carefully installing the cam chain tensioner at a setting that I had decided on would work best...;as I installed it,I would hold tension on the cam chain as if "I" was the temporary cam chain tensioner ...and carefully keep tension on the unit as I transfered tension from my "special(round tip screwdriver type)tool" to the cam chain tensioner in one "somewhat"  smooth transition; as I did that last action of installing the cam chain tensioner that way....it would put tension on the cams & the entire chain(it's best to loosen up all the valve adjustment torsion adjustments to the SAME low setting before attempting this ) which would be just right to show me...after I had SLOWLY released the cam chain adj. bolt...THAT IS REAL IMPORTANT...SLOWWLLYYY(after I had evenly tightened all 4 cam chain tens.bolts to a low torque)if my timing was ON the mark...or not.. I had to repeat the above procedure until I was somewhat proficient at it. I was able to "slip" the cam chain on the Lower sprocket enough to get the engine "On The Mark"  ...it sure TAXED my Patience...,that much I'll say ! !  ..but I was able to complete it...after I walked away three times  .