Topic: A couple engine questions

[Fish]

Hello all,

I have started polishing the aluminum crankcase covers on my '75 cb550 and would like to take them off to do a more thorough job.  My question is, if I do take them off, will I need to have new gaskets or anything like that to put them back on, or just bolt them on?

My second question is about my cam chain.  I have searched different threads and have already posted about the level of cam chain noise.  The answers I have seen range from "it's just the nature of these old engines, don't worry about it" and "it could be a serious problem and it needs to be addressed".  I normally wouldn't be worried about it if I thought my tensioner was working properly, but it doesn't move at all when I loosen the locknut.  In fact, I can't even turn the tension screw with a screwdriver(clock-wise or counter, same thing).  Can anyone tell me what might be the problem here and what it might take to get the tensioner working?

Thanks,

- Chad

[SteveD CB500F]

What do you mean by "crankcase covers"?

You can take off the points cover (which is chrome anyway - with a cork gasket), the alternator cover (but the field coils come with it), and the gearbox/sprocket cover without needing gaskets.

If you take off the clutch cover, make sure the bike is leant over as the oil will come out!

[Fish]

Great, thanks for the info.  I was just looking at diagrams and noticed that the right crankcase cover has a gasket behind it.  The left side though doesn't have one.  Maybe I'll start polishing on that side.
Cheers,

- Chad