Author Topic: 79' 650 Cam removal  (Read 1070 times)

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Offline redrider736

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79' 650 Cam removal
« on: July 08, 2014, 01:42:30 PM »
Purchased  a 79' CB 650 motor for the Oil pan and Cam to put into my 78' CB  550...... I have never removed or opened up a motor until today... Got  the motor out of the frame easy enough,  but not sure how too remove Cam?
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Offline calj737

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Re: 79' 650 Cam removal
« Reply #1 on: July 08, 2014, 01:47:10 PM »
Remove tappet covers, release all tension of rockers, remove rocker cover.

Locate cam sprocket. Screws on either edge need to removed, chain slipped off. You need to release tension from cam chain tensioner to create "slack" in the chain first (below carbs, nut on engine). Once chain is slacked, slip chain off, but tie it off from falling into engine. You may need to rotate crank to get to both bolts on sprocket.
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Offline goldarrow

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Re: 79' 650 Cam removal
« Reply #2 on: July 08, 2014, 01:59:06 PM »
If this is good motor, drop it right into the 550 frame???
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Offline redrider736

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Re: 79' 650 Cam removal
« Reply #3 on: July 08, 2014, 02:08:13 PM »
Remove tappet covers, release all tension of rockers, remove rocker cover.

Locate cam sprocket. Screws on either edge need to removed, chain slipped off. You need to release tension from cam chain tensioner to create "slack" in the chain first (below carbs, nut on engine). Once chain is slacked, slip chain off, but tie it off from falling into engine. You may need to rotate crank to get to both bolts on sprocket.

Thanks calj737, just wasn't sure how to get "slack" on the chain..........
« Last Edit: July 08, 2014, 02:16:24 PM by redrider736 »
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Offline redrider736

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Re: 79' 650 Cam removal
« Reply #4 on: July 08, 2014, 02:11:29 PM »
If this is good motor, drop it right into the 550 frame???

Don't know when it ran last or really any history from the PO... It didn't come with carbs or exhaust...
« Last Edit: July 08, 2014, 02:14:30 PM by redrider736 »
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Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: 79' 650 Cam removal
« Reply #5 on: July 08, 2014, 02:18:44 PM »
If all you want is the cam, then you can cut the chain off with a cutting wheel, just take care to cut where the chain is not touching the sprocket so you don't damage it.
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Offline redrider736

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Re: 79' 650 Cam removal
« Reply #6 on: July 08, 2014, 02:19:58 PM »
Remove tappet covers, release all tension of rockers, remove rocker cover.

Locate cam sprocket. Screws on either edge need to removed, chain slipped off. You need to release tension from cam chain tensioner to create "slack" in the chain first (below carbs, nut on engine). Once chain is slacked, slip chain off, but tie it off from falling into engine. You may need to rotate crank to get to both bolts on sprocket.

Thanks calj737, just wasn't sure how to get "slack" on the chain..........


My have made a error on the tear down........  You mentioned  "release  all tension of rockers" prior  to removal of the rocker cover...  I didn't do that,  is that a concern?
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Offline calj737

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Re: 79' 650 Cam removal
« Reply #7 on: July 08, 2014, 02:22:27 PM »
It can be. On the 550/500 you need to do this to avoid damaging a valve that may be under compression at the moment. Not sure if the 650 rocker cover is the same in this respect. If you pulled it without hearing or feeling something "ugly" you're probably okay.
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Offline redrider736

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Re: 79' 650 Cam removal
« Reply #8 on: July 08, 2014, 02:29:41 PM »
Covers were barley on.....  For next time how do I release tension  ?
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Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: 79' 650 Cam removal
« Reply #9 on: July 08, 2014, 02:33:51 PM »
you loosen the screw adjusters. A 10MM (I think) wrench loosens the lock nuts, then a flat bladed screw driver to back the adjusters out will remove the tension. You can test first to see if you can move the rockers with your fingers, the ones you cannot you loosen manually.
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Current: '76 CB750F. Previous:  '75 CB550F, 2007 Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000, '77 CB550k, '68 Suzuki K10 80, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, '89 Yamaha FJ1200

Offline calj737

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Re: 79' 650 Cam removal
« Reply #10 on: July 08, 2014, 02:35:51 PM »
Remove the tappet cover for each cylinder, both intake and exhaust. Look inside, and insert a blade screwdriver into the adjuster, but then use a 10mm box to loosen the adjuster all the way. This is the same technique for adjusting valves, only instead of tightening/loosening to a feeler gauge, you're taking all tension of the rocker and spring.
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"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis

Offline cb650

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Re: 79' 650 Cam removal
« Reply #11 on: July 08, 2014, 02:48:21 PM »
What are you going to do with the rest of the motor?  I might be interested in a couple items.
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Offline redrider736

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Re: 79' 650 Cam removal
« Reply #12 on: July 08, 2014, 02:54:17 PM »
What are you going to do with the rest of the motor?  I might be interested in a couple items.

I am planning to use the Cam and oil pan,  but everything  else  is up for grabs..
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Offline redrider736

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Re: 79' 650 Cam removal
« Reply #13 on: July 08, 2014, 03:01:45 PM »
Not sure what I am doing wrong but I can't seem to get any slack onto the Cam chain?

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Offline redrider736

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Re: 79' 650 Cam removal
« Reply #14 on: July 08, 2014, 03:09:51 PM »
Both Cam chain tension bolts are loose

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Offline calj737

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Re: 79' 650 Cam removal
« Reply #15 on: July 08, 2014, 03:42:27 PM »
Remove the left side, front cover (stator) and put a large socket on it, I believe 14mm. Rotate the crank a bit. The chain won't be super loose. You will also need to remove the 2 bolts on the sprocket mid way along the cam. That will allow you to slip the chain off the sprocket, sort of work it off and over to free the chain. Takes a bit of fiddling, but it will come free.

If nothing seems to work, take a Dremel or small cut-off tool and cut the cam chain, not near the sprocket or cam itself. Protect the debris from falling into the engine interior, and then remove the entire cam chain from the engine.
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"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis

Offline redrider736

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Re: 79' 650 Cam removal
« Reply #16 on: July 08, 2014, 04:31:27 PM »
Remove the left side, front cover (stator) and put a large socket on it, I believe 14mm. Rotate the crank a bit. The chain won't be super loose. You will also need to remove the 2 bolts on the sprocket mid way along the cam. That will allow you to slip the chain off the sprocket, sort of work it off and over to free the chain. Takes a bit of fiddling, but it will come free.

If nothing seems to work, take a Dremel or small cut-off tool and cut the cam chain, not near the sprocket or cam itself. Protect the debris from falling into the engine interior, and then remove the entire cam chain from the engine.

Thanks calj737! Success



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Offline redrider736

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Re: 79' 650 Cam removal
« Reply #17 on: July 08, 2014, 04:38:33 PM »
you loosen the screw adjusters. A 10MM (I think) wrench loosens the lock nuts, then a flat bladed screw driver to back the adjusters out will remove the tension. You can test first to see if you can move the rockers with your fingers, the ones you cannot you loosen manually.

Thanks Bankerdanny,  I should have looked here first before "tearing" into her!
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Offline calj737

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Re: 79' 650 Cam removal
« Reply #18 on: July 08, 2014, 04:39:19 PM »
It had to be simple, if a simple-minded dolt like me could think of it  ;)
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Offline MiGhost

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Re: 79' 650 Cam removal
« Reply #19 on: July 08, 2014, 04:40:56 PM »
What are you going to do with the rest of the motor?  I might be interested in a couple items.

I am planning to use the Cam and oil pan,  but everything  else  is up for grabs..

Make sure you keep the tach drive gear. You will need it.
The 500/550 tach drive gear is not compatible with the 650 cam.

You will also need a 650 tach. 
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Offline redrider736

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Re: 79' 650 Cam removal
« Reply #20 on: July 08, 2014, 05:00:22 PM »
What are you going to do with the rest of the motor?  I might be interested in a couple items.

I am planning to use the Cam and oil pan,  but everything  else  is up for grabs..

Make sure you keep the tach drive gear. You will need it.
The 500/550 tach drive gear is not compatible with the 650 cam.

You will also need a 650 tach.

Thanks ghost! Going to have to source a 650 Tach, the bike was missing it and a bunch of odds & ends
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Offline goldarrow

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Re: 79' 650 Cam removal
« Reply #21 on: July 08, 2014, 05:28:58 PM »

What are you going to do with the rest of the motor?  I might be interested in a couple items.

I am planning to use the Cam and oil pan,  but everything  else  is up for grabs..

Make sure you keep the tach drive gear. You will need it.
The 500/550 tach drive gear is not compatible with the 650 cam.

You will also need a 650 tach.

Just cap the valves cover if you don't want to run tach
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


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Offline cb650

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Re: 79' 650 Cam removal
« Reply #22 on: July 09, 2014, 06:07:08 AM »
I'll trade u a tach for the starter cover and outer rocker covers.  if they are original 79.
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