Topic: CB550F - after valve job, no clearance for cover even with tappets out

[lewis_fernrock]

I'm rebuilding the top end of my Dad's 1975 550F. He bought it new, I rode it for a few years, then over the winter decided to get in over my head.

After waiting two months on the machine shop to finish my valve job (new valves, guides, springs), now I can't seem to get the valve cover back on. I've got them rubber banded up and I finally removed the tappets all the way, and yet the rocker carrier piece is still hitting the valve when I put the cover in position.

I've read a 1000 horror stories/warnings on here to know not to try to tighten down if the tappet is touching, but I can't figure out how there is so little clearance. I can't find instance on the forum of somebody having the same problem, which really has me scared. Could they be the wrong valves? Too long? How far out is it supposed end to stick? Or what else could it be?

I've literally spent 7 past hours looking at this and trying to research a solution. All I can guess is that the valves are wrong. Anyone have any thoughts?

(and thanks.. long time reader, never posted before because I don't know much on the answer side and never had a question that hadn't already been asked)

[Frostyboy]

When you say "the rocker cover carrier piece" I can only assume you mean the end of the rocker where the tappet adjusting screw goes is contacting the valves. Think about it for a minute. It's not possible to fit the cover without some of the valves being open. Put the screws back in the rockers. It's simply a matter of ensuring that all of the adjusting screws are contacting the tops of all the valves whilst tightening down the cover. The whole idea of the rubber bands is to prevent the screw going down beside the top of the valve and bending the valve, as shown in the attached pic.
Keep an eye on all the adjusters are contacting the top of the valve stems as you progressively tighten down the cover & all will be good.
Workshop manual page 32 is where the pic came from. Do you have it?

[lewis_fernrock]

Yes, you have characterized the situation correctly. I have the manual but did not understand what that picture was trying to tell me. I think I get it now - it's the lateral motion that I need to be worried about, not that it is touching on top. It has to touch on top (that makes sense -- that is where I was really getting confused), it just needs to be hitting square. Is that it?

I would be beside myself if I bent one of these new valves so just want to be sure. I'll take a another look. Thanks a million for the reply. 

[Adam_F]

Just did mine as well and it made me a bit nervous. I just turned the crank as I tightened everything down. As long as it turns easily and your lined up (as mentioned above) you'll be good.

[Frostyboy]

Yes, you have characterized the situation correctly. I have the manual but did not understand what that picture was trying to tell me. I think I get it now - it's the lateral motion that I need to be worried about, not that it is touching on top. It has to touch on top (that makes sense -- that is where I was really getting confused), it just needs to be hitting square. Is that it?

I would be beside myself if I bent one of these new valves so just want to be sure. I'll take a another look. Thanks a million for the reply.

Yep, slowly does it & tighten it down evenly. All good.