Topic: 1977 CB550 valve cover install

[valt]

So I recently put all new top end gaskets on 1977 550K that I have been working on. But after putting the valve cover on with the cam in the correct position I am getting something I don't understand. Basically when you turn the motor over it appears to actuate the valves correctly but then the rockers appear to slip off the valves and then they pop back up as the arms come back up. When I go to adjust the valves to their correct clearances the rockers are pushing the valves to far and it won't let it turn over at that point. I'm not really sure what I'm doing wrong here as everything appears to be correct.

I should also note that I have done top ends on CB750s many times but the 550 is different as the valve cover holds the rockers.

[Trad]

Oh no. Did you back off the adjuster screws on the rocker arms all the way before installing? Did you use rubber bands to hold the arms out of the way to avoid valve contact? It is very easy to bend valves when installing the cb500/550 valve covers. It sounds like you may have bent some valves on install and now the rockers aren't lining up to the stems.

[valt]

Oh no. Did you back off the adjuster screws on the rocker arms all the way before installing? Did you use rubber bands to hold the arms out of the way to avoid valve contact? It is very easy to bend valves when installing the cb500/550 valve covers. It sounds like you may have bent some valves on install and now the rockers aren't lining up to the stems.

Sadly I think this is EXACTLY what happened. I tried to do everything as correctly as I could but I think I must have bent the valves enough to make the rocker arms not work anymore.

[FunJimmy]

Oh no. Did you back off the adjuster screws on the rocker arms all the way before installing? Did you use rubber bands to hold the arms out of the way to avoid valve contact? It is very easy to bend valves when installing the cb500/550 valve covers. It sounds like you may have bent some valves on install and now the rockers aren't lining up to the stems.

Sadly I think this is EXACTLY what happened. I tried to do everything as correctly as I could but I think I must have bent the valves enough to make the rocker arms not work anymore.

Unfortunately it does sound like that may have happened.
Sorry to hear it.

[valt]

Oh no. Did you back off the adjuster screws on the rocker arms all the way before installing? Did you use rubber bands to hold the arms out of the way to avoid valve contact? It is very easy to bend valves when installing the cb500/550 valve covers. It sounds like you may have bent some valves on install and now the rockers aren't lining up to the stems.

Sadly I think this is EXACTLY what happened. I tried to do everything as correctly as I could but I think I must have bent the valves enough to make the rocker arms not work anymore.

Unfortunately it does sound like that may have happened.
Sorry to hear it.

Well the good news is I can tell the one thing that won't happen when I get new valves / new head from ebay!

Once again I prove to myself and the world that I don't have a clue what I am doing!

[Trad]

Oh no. Did you back off the adjuster screws on the rocker arms all the way before installing? Did you use rubber bands to hold the arms out of the way to avoid valve contact? It is very easy to bend valves when installing the cb500/550 valve covers. It sounds like you may have bent some valves on install and now the rockers aren't lining up to the stems.

Sadly I think this is EXACTLY what happened. I tried to do everything as correctly as I could but I think I must have bent the valves enough to make the rocker arms not work anymore.

Unfortunately it does sound like that may have happened.
Sorry to hear it.

Well the good news is I can tell the one thing that won't happen when I get new valves / new head from ebay!

Once again I prove to myself and the world that I don't have a clue what I am doing!

Haha, at least you're not beating yourself up about it. It's a learning experience at least. Good luck on the second go around.

[calj737]

Why are you buying a new head if only the valves may be bent?

First order of business is to remove the head, remove and label the valves (#1 intake, #1 exhaust and so on). Then test and measure them to determine if this is the actual problem. If so, you now have choices: replace only the bent valves, replace all valves, or replace the valves and have a bit of machine work done.

If the latter is your choice, just make sure you take precautions with reassembly and you'll be fine. By the way, are you following the manual for torque sequences to install AND remove the head? It does matter for removal too...

[Trad]

Why are you buying a new head if only the valves may be bent?

First order of business is to remove the head, remove and label the valves (#1 intake, #1 exhaust and so on). Then test and measure them to determine if this is the actual problem. If so, you now have choices: replace only the bent valves, replace all valves, or replace the valves and have a bit of machine work done.

If the latter is your choice, just make sure you take precautions with reassembly and you'll be fine. By the way, are you following the manual for torque sequences to install AND remove the head? It does matter for removal too...

He's probably buying a new head because it's cheaper than buying new valves from Honda or elsewhere after market. It's what I would do. After verifying the new, used head didn't have bent valves 

[valt]

Why are you buying a new head if only the valves may be bent?

First order of business is to remove the head, remove and label the valves (#1 intake, #1 exhaust and so on). Then test and measure them to determine if this is the actual problem. If so, you now have choices: replace only the bent valves, replace all valves, or replace the valves and have a bit of machine work done.

If the latter is your choice, just make sure you take precautions with reassembly and you'll be fine. By the way, are you following the manual for torque sequences to install AND remove the head? It does matter for removal too...

He's probably buying a new head because it's cheaper than buying new valves from Honda or elsewhere after market. It's what I would do. After verifying the new, used head didn't have bent valves 

Bingo! I'm going to look around and see what valves are going for but heads with valves go for about $100 on eBay.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Assuming you only need to replace some valves, it might be less trouble than buying a mystery head on ebay.  You never know what you will get until it shows up on your door, and it might end up needing much more work than a few valves.

[calj737]

Assuming you only need to replace some valves, it might be less trouble than buying a mystery head on ebay.  You never know what you will get until it shows up on your door, and it might end up needing much more work than a few valves.

Bingo! In fact, not knowing what is actually wrong with your head/rockers is the first step...

http://dynoman.net/engine/valves/index.html#cb550 $40 for a set of intakes, $40 for a set of exhausts... Thats $80 for brand spanking new Kibblewhites. Hard to beat that with an unknown head if you ask me-

[MickB]

Cal valves at $21.95 ea x 8 = $175.60, if I'm reading it correctly?

[calj737]

Cal valves at $21 ea x 8 = $168, if I'm reading it correctly?

You are, I'm not 

[MickB]

I nearly bought a set