Topic: Stuck camchain: 750F

[01Thomas]

Hi
I'm doing a top-end overhaul of my 1977 CB750F with the engine in the frame and I seek help:
I stripped the engine down to the base gasket and now that I'm assembling it, it turns out that the camchain is no longer around the crankshaft sprocket but has somehow managed to wedge itself between the sprocket and the crankcase. Effectively I've now got a friction-driven camchain.

I can remove the camshaft quite easily and that'll give me plenty of slack but that alone is not enough to free the camchain.

Has this ever happened to anyone else?
Besides removing the engine and splitting the cases, is there anything else I can do to fix this problem?

regards
Thomas

[Don R]

 I'd think removing the tensioner and cam would allow enough slack to do a little fiddling and get it back over the gear. Maybe a piece of welding wire or other straight thin tool would help guide it back on. Have you looked through bottom of the case with the pan removed?
 These are ideas not proven techniques, I'm sure someone can say which might work best.

[01Thomas]

HI
I can _just_ see it if I remove the oil pan and position my head such that oil drips into my nose but it's impossible to get my fingers in there. I'll try with a piece if wire - wish me luck!

[bryanj]

If it fell off it can fall back on!

Been there done that admidtedley with engine on bench , it is a fiddle  but can be done

[BenelliSEI]

Do you have to remove the cam? With the gear removed the chain should come off the top, leaving enough slack to reset the bottom? Never actually done this, so like Don, just guessing.

[HondaMan]

I'd think removing the tensioner and cam would allow enough slack to do a little fiddling and get it back over the gear. Maybe a piece of welding wire or other straight thin tool would help guide it back on. Have you looked through bottom of the case with the pan removed?
 These are ideas not proven techniques, I'm sure someone can say which might work best.

I've done it that way, many times.

[Ozzybud]

I didn't think you could even remove the valve cover with the engIne still in the frame let alone do a head rebuild?
Is this just true on earlier models? Speaking of 750 SOHC bikes

[scottly]

Thomas has a Seeley frame, which allows the top end removal.

[Don R]

Thomas has a Seeley frame, which allows the top end removal.

Is that called a Seeley Sneak? On my big shelf I have an Egli frame that the head can come off in frame but it's not that Egli, it's another Egli. Steve, to be precise.