Topic: CB500 camshaft flip/rubber puck/ questions!? NEWB

[buckett]

 

Hi!!!

I'll start by saying I'm an absolute newbie at all mechanical work so if I say or have done something dumb please don't hesitate to say so!
been recently working on getting a 1972 cb500 in good working condition mechanically. so far have had to replace a heap of clutch parts and some electrics and am up to tuning engine (valve adjustment, point timing etc.) ANYWAY. soo I could not for the life of me get my tachometer to work despite researching numerous threads on this forum checking the tach function itself, new cable, tach gear condition etc. so I finally decided to jump in head first and take of the valve cover to discover that the camshaft is in the WRONG WAY meaning the tach gear teeth on the shaft were on the complete wrong side of the bike?!?!? I've already flipped it but I just thought I'd double check a few things before I whip it back together.

I would really appreciate any help thank you please!!

1. Am i correct that the camshaft is in the wrong way!? - see pic - any problems with just flipping it?
2. the valve cover seal looks good but I was just wondering about the 6 rubber puck things, they're all stuck to my cover, however they look like they may have warped as some are concave in and some out (see pic). Should I replace them?
3. In order to get the timing right on reinstallation is this video pretty accurate? - search youtube "SocoMoto: 1976 Honda cb550 Cam Cover Installation (part 4)"
4. is there anything else I should be extra careful about not screwing up as a total newbie attempting this kind of work?

I've been absolutely loving fixing each issue with this bike and any help you guys could offer would be greatly appreciated!

Cheers!

[Greggo]

Wow, yes.  That is in backwards...

You will want to replace those rubber pucks.

When reinstalling the cam cover, the rockers should be rubber banded back to avoid contact with the valve stems.  Avoid this, here: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=109553.0

It will look like this:

[buckett]

Wow, yes.  That is in backwards...

You will want to replace those rubber pucks.

When reinstalling the cam cover, the rockers should be rubber banded back to avoid contact with the valve stems.

I have had the bike running and riding with it in backward from a P.O!!! is there anything I should check for damage??

yup I've done the rubber band thingey it's an awesome trick

thanks so much for your help!

[dave500]

theres a thread "whats the worst thing a po did to your bike?"this would have to take the cake?

[Bailgang]

theres a thread "whats the worst thing a po did to your bike?"this would have to take the cake?

I never would've believed it if the OP hadn't posted a pic to prove it in fact I thought it was nuts while reading the post until I scrolled down to the pic.

[buckett]

oh also, to add to my list of small questions. Is it essential to change the valve cover gasket or if it looks good and remains relatively springy will it be ok to keep? (no previous leaks)

The bike's P.O. was an interesting person indeed. i've so far also found 2 or 3 screws that were completely missing in addition to 2  ball bearings and counting (clutch lifter and kick starter)

[dave500]

if the gasket looks ok it probably will be,you would have had interesting valve timing,probably like a detuned euro version?

[bryanj]

Nope they will run perfecrly Dave, just the Tacho don't work----Don't ask me how i know and ive been working on the damn things for 30+ yyears

[dave500]

they might run but i wouldnt say itll be perfect,for example the #4 exhaust lobe becomes #1 inlet with the the ramps reversed opening slowly and letting them slam shut,also the inlet and exhausts have different lifts plus the reversed ramps,something for some one with lots of time and a dyno to measure?

[buckett]

they might run but i wouldnt say itll be perfect,for example the #4 exhaust lobe becomes #1 inlet with the the ramps reversed opening slowly and letting them slam shut,also the inlet and exhausts have different lifts plus the reversed ramps,something for some one with lots of time and a dyno to measure?

this is exactly why I asked, awesome to learn stuff like this from you guys!

[LesterPiglet]

Been there done that.

[bryanj]

Video and Tee shirt too mate