Topic: Rocker rebuilds: anyone interested?

[HondaMan]

I've been talking with Jeffro, my machinist, about expanding the swingarm business next Spring (when it's warmer) to include re-bushing the valve rockers for CB750K/F engines. These often wear enough to become quite noisy, and can make it hard to adjust the valves well.

It involves boring the rocker(s), then fitting in new bushings and possibly honing to a finished size. I'm going to experiment with my extra set to see how practical it is, and how expensive it might be...   

Is anyone here interested? If so, what would you think should be a fair price for a set of 8? I have to figure out if we could afford to do it for what someone could pay. Some racers I know are just plain cash crazy and will whip out a credit card to cover any racing part, but I don't think this forum has those kind of riders. Besides, I couldn't take credit cards, anyway.

[kghost]

Would be cool if you could harden them at the same time.

I'd be interested depending on the cost.

[DME]

Also interested, depending on cost. Would pay a fair price, though 

[HondaMan]

The rockers and bushings will not be hardened: the rockers are cast units. If we rebuilt (or built new) shafts, they would have to be hardened, though. That's a part of this "cost estimate" I'm trying to figure out: hardening is done by the batch, per pound. So, we'd probably make a batch of shafts up, then rebuild the rockers are we got them from guys, making a set of them.

[kghost]

I have serious mojo issues running a set of used rockers on a new cam. Particularly any sort of cam with serious lift.

Your thoughts?

[Big Jay]

The fixture to hold them while boring them would be quite complex because you would have to bore them perfectly parallel to the pad that the cam rides on, otherwise the cam lobe would not contact the entire pad which would kill the cam lobe in no time.

Are new rockers not available?

Jay

[HondaMan]

I have serious mojo issues running a set of used rockers on a new cam. Particularly any sort of cam with serious lift.

Your thoughts?

The wear pattern on the rockers can be easily seen; in the case of the 750 you can inspect it an see what damage might occur. I have never had any problems with switching cams under these rockers, though.

[HondaMan]

The fixture to hold them while boring them would be quite complex because you would have to bore them perfectly parallel to the pad that the cam rides on, otherwise the cam lobe would not contact the entire pad which would kill the cam lobe in no time.

Are new rockers not available?

Jay

Exactly (about alignments).

When I called my local Honda dealer, they said they are not available. There might be some "out there", but if it is like clutch and oil pump parts, I can't afford them. 

I understand the rocker shafts are in the same category, but haven't asked lately. Afraid to, really. 

[Big Jay]

So if there are used rockers out there that the contact pad is OK, but the bores are shot ( I am assuming this is the case ?), then I think it would be a lot easier to make oversize shafts, hone the rockers and stands to fit the new shafts.

Jay

[HondaMan]

So if there are used rockers out there that the contact pad is OK, but the bores are shot ( I am assuming this is the case ?), then I think it would be a lot easier to make oversize shafts, hone the rockers and stands to fit the new shafts.

Jay

You might be onto something there. Maybe that's a better approach? It would certainly be cheaper.