Topic: CB 550K valve questions

[AlekStooge]

1. I'm setting valve lash (I haven't done it before). I find true TDC for cylinder 1 using a piston stop. I then go to set intake for 1 and 3 and exhaust for 1 and 2 as per the manual. To my knowledge those rockers are supposed to be loose when you set them (and they are). The remaining rockers should be tight at this point, some aren't however. Are the remaining rockers not all supposed to be tight, due to where the cam lobes are positioned for different valves when at TDC (compression stroke) for cylinder 1? I have a 126-00 Megacycle.


2. Would anyone know the angle of intake/exhaust valves for the CB550? Or where I can find it manual does not have it.
 

[AlekStooge]

The remaining rockers should be tight at this point, some aren't however. Are the remaining rockers not all supposed to be tight... This would depend upon whether you set them when installing the head initially. If this is the first time you've adjusted the valves since assembly, then don't expect any to be "right". I just put the head cover on today and it has not been on before. It was never fully assembled.

2. Would anyone know the angle of intake/exhaust valves for the CB550? Or where I can find it manual does not have it. If you are using the MC 126-00 cam, you should also be using an adjustable sprocket. Did you degree the cam? Did you locate the lobe centers, adjust the sprocket, and mark the ignition for true TDC on #1? Adjustable sprocket-check, I'm in the process of degree the cam. I'm at the point where I found true TDC and have to set valve lash before setting up my dial indicator. I'm going to be using the C5 ignition and I haven't installed it yet.

[flatlander]

check out dave barbier's project thread. he has a very good step-by-step instruction for cam degreeing.

[AlekStooge]

check out dave barbier's project thread. he has a very good step-by-step instruction for cam degreeing.

Right, I have it printed out.

2: install cam, sprocket and chain per the manual.

3: find true TDC on the #1 cylinder with your piston stop. Look on YouTube how to make one and how to use it. After you find true TDC make sure to remove the piston stop! You don't want to crash your piston into your stop as you spin the motor.

I was thinking last night, my trouble is when I installed the cam using the notch and then set my degree wheel to zero. I realized I have no idea at that point where piston 1 is and any work I do afterwards is no good. You are supposed to get the cam set up as close as you can like you would when stock before you degree it right? I guess my question is how would I do that if this was just a stock cam? Keep in mind I don't have my points or electronic ignition attached.

[AlekStooge]

Don't you need to get the cam close to stock before finding TDC and then to degree it? Or do you just put it in whichever way, find TDC and then degree it?

[AlekStooge]

The notch should be facing to the right when you in stall the sprocket right?

[AlekStooge]

At this point I wouldn't know when 1/4 are at TDC. According to the instructions you find it after installing the cam per the manual. Keep in mind the ignition plate is detached.

Steps 2 and 3 

2: install cam, sprocket and chain per the manual.

3: find true TDC on the #1 cylinder with your piston stop. Look on YouTube how to make one and how to use it. After you find true TDC make sure to remove the piston stop! You don't want to crash your piston into your stop as you spin the motor.

[flatlander]

you don't need the cam installed to find TDC. the cam does not affect motion of the piston - it affects the valves.
so with or without cam, insert your piston stop the rotate the crank until the piston bits it (gently). note the degrees. then rotate the other way until the piston hits the stop on the other side. note the degrees. calculate TDC by taking the middle between these two values.
TDC is basically half way between the piston stopping in either direction.