Author Topic: my engine seized while riding, where do I even start?  (Read 1171 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Carver

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 251
my engine seized while riding, where do I even start?
« on: January 17, 2014, 10:43:24 AM »
Alright I already posted about my engine seizing while i was riding, and I got the engine out and took the valve cover off today and realized.......


I have no idea what the hell I am doing with this thing.

Where do I even start investigating? How do I take the top end apart? cam first then rockers? or can I just pull the whole thing apart as one piece? I don't even know. Kind words and advice are welcome.
Cb 750 k3
Cb 450 dohc k4

Offline madScientist

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 537
Re: my engine seized while riding, where do I even start?
« Reply #1 on: January 17, 2014, 10:52:55 AM »
Couple bits of advice...if you dont have it already purchase a shop manual. This site, I believe, has a printable Honda shop manual as well. It'll walk you through pretty much everything. It also gives you spec's which are nice to check.

keep track of EVERYTHING! Ziploc bags, containers, and a sharpie work great. You might want to number / label the rockers as they should go back in the original location to maintain wear patterns.

As you go through the tear down the reason for the seize will probably become apparent. Drop your oil pan and take a look. Are there shavings? You'll want to check your main and rod bearings. If the jugs refuse to come off then your pistons seized.

My suspicion though is that you probably had an oil system failure without knowing much about the bike. Inspect the hell out of your oil pump. Check all galleys for buildup or blocks. And tell us a little more about your bike (model, year, miles, condition etc)
You CAN do great things...with enough beer.


78 cb750f
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=113293.0
70 CL350 Street Tracker / Cafe
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=125641.0
83 KZ1100ltd
76 GL1000
71 Kaw H2 (to be built)
77 cb750A (sold)
74 cb125s (sold)

Offline goldarrow

  • one day, i'll be an
  • Old Timer
  • ******
  • Posts: 3,360
Re: my engine seized while riding, where do I even start?
« Reply #2 on: January 17, 2014, 11:38:36 AM »
get the actual copy of the manual so you can get your greasy finger prints all over it, and be proud!  and download a pdf copy so you can read it else where when not working on the bike.
Life Is Full Of Challenges - And My Backyard Is Full Of SOHC4's

CB550 K0
CB750 K0, K2, K23 JDM, K45, K5
And the little ones z50r, xr50r, st90


750k5 http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=114817.0

Offline MoMo

  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 8,271
  • Ride like you're invisible
Re: my engine seized while riding, where do I even start?
« Reply #3 on: January 17, 2014, 11:41:34 AM »
Hondaman's book would be a worthwhile investment for you...Larry

Offline flybox1

  • My wife thinks I'm a
  • Really Old Timer ...
  • *******
  • Posts: 14,289
Re: my engine seized while riding, where do I even start?
« Reply #4 on: January 17, 2014, 11:53:12 AM »
Hondaman's book would be a worthwhile investment for you...Larry
absoufkinglutely!!!!!
'78 750K (F3 engine) PD42b's, Modified airbox w/K&N  filter, 40/110 jets, 1 needle shim, IMS@ 1 turn out. Kerker + Cone 18" QuietCore

Past Bikes
1974 550K0 (stock), 1973 CB350F (stock), 1983 Yamaha XS400K (POS)
77/78 cool 2 member #3
"Knowledge without mileage equals bullsh!t" - Henry Rollins

"This is my CB. There are many like it, but this one is mine…"

Offline Carver

  • Hot Shot
  • ***
  • Posts: 251
Re: my engine seized while riding, where do I even start?
« Reply #5 on: January 17, 2014, 12:03:57 PM »
I suspected it was a head oiling issue as well. I just popped the valve cover off and the cam train didn't "click" like it did on the 450 so I just put it back on and decided to do some recon before I go back in.

It looks like you loosen the the adjusters so the valves are shut, unbolt the cam from the sprocket, unbolt the things holding it in and pop it out, then pop the head off, or something along those lines.
Cb 750 k3
Cb 450 dohc k4

Offline martin99

  • UK Based, Non-
  • Master
  • *****
  • Posts: 1,730
  • Adventure before Dementia
Re: my engine seized while riding, where do I even start?
« Reply #6 on: January 17, 2014, 01:31:47 PM »
Seriously, download a manual. It'll cost you nothing. Take lots of pictures as you go, makes putting it back together a lot easier.
Build threads:
77 750F2 Refresh Project http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=144075.0
TRIBSA http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,160296.0.html

1977 CB750 F2
1958 Norton Model 99
2011 Triumph Street Triple 675

Offline wowbagger

  • Not much of an
  • Expert
  • ****
  • Posts: 849
Re: my engine seized while riding, where do I even start?
« Reply #7 on: January 17, 2014, 06:22:12 PM »
Hondaman's book would be a worthwhile investment for you...Larry

HondaMan's book is a definite must.......if the bike is a cb750:
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=118617.0

Black 750K8

  • Guest
Re: my engine seized while riding, where do I even start?
« Reply #8 on: January 17, 2014, 07:33:46 PM »
Alright I already posted about my engine seizing while i was riding, and I got the engine out and took the valve cover off today and realized.......


I have no idea what the hell I am doing with this thing.

Where do I even start investigating? How do I take the top end apart? cam first then rockers? or can I just pull the whole thing apart as one piece? I don't even know. Kind words and advice are welcome.

Are we mind readers or is every bike the same if they are then you could get any service manual you want. Maybe that wasn't very kind but no offence was intended. :)