Author Topic: CB750 Rotating Valve Seat  (Read 549 times)

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Offline adamalk3

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CB750 Rotating Valve Seat
« on: March 31, 2020, 10:29:35 pm »
Hello all,

Despite having been using this forum for several years now, this is my first topic post. I am incredibly thankful for all of you guys and the help and knowledge that you provide. I've had an issue with my '72 CB750 as of this past summer and I couldn't think of a better place to ask for assistance, so here I am.

First off, my bike is:
∙ 1972 CB750
∙ Stock carbs. with K&N pods (I know, "throw them away, use air box", I was able to dial in air/fuel well)
∙ 4 into 1 headers
∙ Dyna coils and dyna electronic ignition

Over last summer, I started experiencing a loud mechanical tick/knock along with a backfire, when at full operating temperature. I could tell for sure that it was coming from the valve train, so I decided to pull the engine and dive right in. What I found was that on the cylinder that I suspected the sound was coming from, the exhaust valve seat had come loose and rotated nearly 180 degress. So, my question is:

∙ How common is this?
∙ Who do you recommend in the U.S. to send my head out for new seats, for a guy who really doesn't have a lot of money?

Here's some pictures of what I found. You can see the machining mark is almost 180 degrees, indicated by my pick:







Thank you for your help. Again, I am incredibly appreciative for all the help you guys provide and have saved myself so much time just by logging into these forums.

Offline bryanj

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Re: CB750 Rotating Valve Seat
« Reply #1 on: April 01, 2020, 12:02:23 am »
Never heard of this, cheapest fix is a used head
Semi Geriatric ex-Honda mechanic and MOT tester (UK version of annual inspection). Garage full of "projects" mostly 500/4 from pre 73 (no road tax in UK).

Remember "Its always in the last place you look" COURSE IT IS YOU STOP LOOKIN THEN!

Offline Old Moe Toe

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Re: CB750 Rotating Valve Seat
« Reply #2 on: April 01, 2020, 12:32:53 am »
Had a valve seat pop right out altogether and jam the valve on my ride on lawnmower. Talking to the distributor of the mower I was told this was not an uncommon fault on this particular model of mower. The ACCEPTED fix by the manufacturer was to push the seat back in and hit it in a couple of places on the rim of the seat with a pin-punch (not center-punch) and hammer. I did this and the machine has not missed a beat in the following 2 years. Mind you, only needed to pull the head cover off to do it not pull engine out of frame etc.

Offline adamalk3

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Re: CB750 Rotating Valve Seat
« Reply #3 on: April 01, 2020, 09:23:26 am »
Never heard of this, cheapest fix is a used head

Thanks for your input! That's definitely an option. But considering I might run into other issues with purchasing a used head which would require machining, I would like to consider having my current head worked as my first choice. Who do you recommend for machine work, someone that has specific experience on 750s?

Offline bryanj

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Re: CB750 Rotating Valve Seat
« Reply #4 on: April 01, 2020, 09:26:30 am »
Mike Reik( spelt wrong) on this forum, he would gas flow it is well for a good price
Semi Geriatric ex-Honda mechanic and MOT tester (UK version of annual inspection). Garage full of "projects" mostly 500/4 from pre 73 (no road tax in UK).

Remember "Its always in the last place you look" COURSE IT IS YOU STOP LOOKIN THEN!

Offline 754

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Re: CB750 Rotating Valve Seat
« Reply #5 on: April 01, 2020, 11:08:18 am »
Is it loose, you can push it and it moves ? It does not look like it has been moving.
Maker of the WELDLESS 750 Frame Kit
dodogas99@gmail.com
Kelowna B.C.       Canada

My next bike will be a ..ANFOB.....

It's All part of the ADVENTURE...

73 836cc.. Green, had it for 3 decades!!
Lost quite a few CB 750's along the way

Offline adamalk3

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Re: CB750 Rotating Valve Seat
« Reply #6 on: April 06, 2020, 08:37:34 am »
Is it loose, you can push it and it moves ? It does not look like it has been moving.


It's not movable by finger. It would only do this at full operating temperature in the summer. It's definitely moved. I've circled the indications in the images below.

In these images you can see the machining notch has rotated almost 180 degrees from where it is supposed to be. You can also see an exposed lip of the head, indicated with the red arrows, further showing its misalignment.



Here is an image of a different cylinder. I've circled the machining notch.



Offline adamalk3

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Re: CB750 Rotating Valve Seat
« Reply #7 on: April 06, 2020, 08:39:05 am »
Mike Reik( spelt wrong) on this forum, he would gas flow it is well for a good price

Username MRieck?

Thank you!

Offline Justin

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Re: CB750 Rotating Valve Seat
« Reply #8 on: April 06, 2020, 09:29:05 am »
Mike Reik( spelt wrong) on this forum, he would gas flow it is well for a good price

Username MRieck?

Thank you!
That’s your guy. I’ll tell you from experience that he’s the best and he will treat your cylinder head right


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