Topic: 550 cam chain/valves -- Where did I screw up

[cosmicvision]

Figured it was that time the other day & tightened cam chain .. It's been plenty long enough, the chain slaps at low idle .. Start bike, there is now a loud valve clatter on idle. Engine sounded fine for lots of miles until I tightened the chain. So in the moment I figure if the chain has been adjusted, maybe the valves are out now. Do valve adjustment. Engine still has valve clatter sound. Maybe I didn't do the valves right? I just bumped the kicker until the valves were not under load and adjusted them. Pretty sure that's all I did the first time I tightened chain & did valves, about 7 or 8k miles ago.

I've read on here about the different methods for the job. The Honda manual I have says, of course, to find TDC on the little gauge inside the points cover. I've never had the points cover off; the screws are haggard looking so I leave well enough alone. With this new issue I called around for an impact driver; none of the stores in town have one in stock. Riding season is drawing to a quick close in coastal Ohio it seems, what's a rider to do?

[BomberMann650]

In 8,000 miles you've yet to take the points cover off?! 

You're due for a complete tune up man, deluxe care package!

[cosmicvision]

I think it more & more lately ....... Just tryna make it till the snow flies ya know, haha .. It's never hesitated to start right up so again, I leave well enough alone. This winter the top end is coming off, forks, etc .. Super duper deluxe care package

[BomberMann650]

Inspection service interval on these bikes is 1500mi.  That's also when they get oil changes.
Incedentally 1500mi was about how long I could go before having to fiddle with the points again.

You really need to have the cam at TDC when setting the valve clearance.  Which requires removing the points cover and looking at the marks. 
I have no problem using the method defined in the manual to measure the valves.

Remove the inpection caps from the ends to make sure the rocker shafts haven't wandered off center.

I can attest to the might of the cb550.  Mine has run on messed up carbs, loose exhaust connections, out of spec valves, cracked spark plug, collapsed points contact breakers.
Even when it threw the cam chain and all the pistons kissed the valves - the bike rode me home and waited to die in front of the garage door.

Moral of the story, just cause the bike is streetable, doesn't mean it's tuned, or going to stay that way much longer.

If you want a bike with an 8 and 16kmi service interval.  You're gonna need something much much newer.

[Gene]

This is good advice, Cosmic. These little fellas need maintenance more than modern bikes. The difference being, with regular maintenance you can get 100K miles out of 'em. And they're easy to work on.  Never "guess" at valve adjustments - it can prove to be very, very bad.

On the other hand, you're right - they'll almost always get you home regardless. But be kind, give lovey some work.