Topic: Rockers hitting caps

[wally550k0]

After adjusting the valves last night I noticed it was still quite noisy on the top end.  While probing I found a lot of noise on the caps themselves and when backed off it went away.  I pulled one, swapped it with an original and got the same results.  The rocker is perfectly centered on the valve stem tip, so I don't think they're offset from having the cam cover off.  The picture below shows how the rocker has chewed away at the edge of the cap.  Irrelevant but this is from the intake #1 valve.

[OT7]

You need.

[lucky]

I hear this complaint all the time on this forum.
It is a known issue.

[wally550k0]

You need.

Thanks, I'd add this to the wish list of all things unobtanium.  Surely it's out there somewhere...

[wally550k0]

I hear this complaint all the time on this forum.
It is a known issue.

Assuming the seller is honest and knowing the rest of the bike reflects the odometer reading, do you think the cover wear is possible at only 5.3K miles?  It should only be barely broken in.

[OT7]

My 1976 CB550F went bad at 10,200 miles.
Also had to replace camshaft and 4 rocker arms.
Got the improved cylinder head cover set under warranty.

[Stev-o]

You need.

Thanks, I'd add this to the wish list of all things unobtanium.  Surely it's out there somewhere...

Was this the barn find bike you bought in Austin?

[wally550k0]

You need.

Thanks, I'd add this to the wish list of all things unobtanium.  Surely it's out there somewhere...

Was this the barn find bike you bought in Austin?

Yes, it is.

[wally550k0]

My 1976 CB550F went bad at 10,200 miles.
Also had to replace camshaft and 4 rocker arms.
Got the improved cylinder head cover set under warranty.

Wow, that early?  I guess that answers my question.  Something tells me warranty won't cover mine...

[chickenman_26]

My 1976 CB550F went bad at 10,200 miles.
Also had to replace camshaft and 4 rocker arms.
Got the improved cylinder head cover set under warranty.

Wow, that early?  I guess that answers my question.  Something tells me warranty won't cover mine...

Something tells me that a different valve cover won't fix it either. Could you post a pic of one of the offending openings showing the adjuster screw and locknut?

[TwoTired]

Check this:
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=113689.msg1279692#msg1279692

and this:
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=122627.msg1393626#msg1393626

[wally550k0]

I'll let the following pics speak the obvious...

Intake 1 rocker:



Exhaust 1 rocker:



Intake 1/2 rocker shaft:



Exhaust 1/2 rocker shaft:



If anyone know who stocks the bits please post up.  I haven't had much luck so far.

Thanks to all for the advice and information.  I'm new to these old Honda bikes and I really appreciate it.

[Greggo]

Wow, that 1/2 side is BAD. 

[TwoTired]

If anyone know who stocks the bits please post up.  I haven't had much luck so far.

I wouldn't be surprised if you can get a new rocker cover from Honda.  But, be ready to spend $350.
Check out ebay for a 77-78 Cb550 rocker cover assembly.  And see if you can't get the cam to go with it.  With the wear your's shows, I'd be wary of the existing cam lobes.
This one is listed as a 76, but is the newer style.    I can't tell about the condition.  I'd ask for more detail of the defects and a picture of the rocker follower faces.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1976-HONDA-CB550-CB-550-VALVE-COVER-HEAD-ENGINE-MOTOR-/390343513170?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item5ae2495452&vxp=mtr

[754]

Cant these just be re bushed?

[TwoTired]

Cant these just be re bushed?

Sure.  That was my first thought, as well.  It is a matter of economics. 
Find/make 16 bushings for the 11.5mm shafts.
Align bore the cam cover to the bushing o.d. over a depth of of about 8-10 inches, maintaining parallel geometry with the camshaft.
Press in the 16 bushings sequentially.

The results still allow the shafts to turn and wear the bushings, rather than the rocker pivot steel and the shaft hard coat on steel.
How much would that cost?  A few years ago, I found 77-78 cam covers for $40 on Ebay.  I certainly understand that when parts become scarce enough, the above process will be economically viable.

I understand why Honda pinned the shafts of the improved cover.  It was cheaper than tightening the bore tolerances so the shafts couldn't turn and scrapping existing stock.
 

[EkiF]

Does 350/400F share the same problem of the wearing cam cover as 500/550F?
My 400 four has quite noisy valve train especially when the motor is cold. With the warm engine the valve train sounds almost good but there's a little tapping noise that makes me worried. I have checked valve clearances and synchronized carbs.

[wally550k0]

Score!  I think I got the last one in the Western Hemisphere.

[TwoTired]

Is this the one for the pinned rocker shafts?  Or, the older style?

If older, do something to prevent the rocker shafts from turning.  Perhaps orings pushing on the shafts between the shaft ends and end plugs.

[Stev-o]

Score!  I think I got the last one in the Western Hemisphere.

Great!  Where?

[wally550k0]

Is this the one for the pinned rocker shafts?  Or, the older style?

If older, do something to prevent the rocker shafts from turning.  Perhaps orings pushing on the shafts between the shaft ends and end plugs.

This is the newer style with the pinned shafts.

[wally550k0]

Score!  I think I got the last one in the Western Hemisphere.

Great!  Where?

It might have been his last one, but here it is:

http://www.hondarestoration.com/partNumberResults.asp?partNumber=12300-390-305

[wally550k0]

My favorite brown truck visited today.



Time to get her back on the road, there's a vintage show and movie night at Moto Liberty in Dallas.  Peter Starr himself will be there showing one of his movies.

[Stev-o]

Get familiar with the "rubber band trick" before you install that new beauty.


http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=124110.0

[wally550k0]

Get familiar with the "rubber band trick" before you install that new beauty.


http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=124110.0

Since my lash adjustment were starting from nothing I backed them all off to the max and it went on quite easily.  Next time I pull it I'll band it so it's less work.  Thanks!