Topic: Honda CM400 Custom - Tech question

[Johnie]

I have a Honda CM400 Custom with 3,000 miles I bought last year.  It had sat so long the valve seals were pretty dry so it burned oil.  I had the dealer put in new valve seals, valve guides, rings and honed cyclinders.  Prior to the job I had a ticking.  I figured valve adjustment and it would be fine after the dealer did his work.  Still have the ticking and I double checked the valves and they are spot on.  I can make the sound stop if I hold the front brake and let the clutch out a little and put a little torque there.  As soon as I pull that clutch in I have it again.  Dealer thinks something with the clutch and don't worry about it.  Other than that it runs like a new machine.  I am looking for thoughts and your ideas on what this might be...thanks again!!!   

[KB02]

Do you hear it while you're under power (riding down the road)? If not, then I would are with your dealer that it may be a clutch issue. If you still hear it while riding... well... look in other areas, obviously... not sure what it could be though...

Have you adjusted the Cam chain?

[Johnie]

Yes, cam chain has been done twice.  The only way I can hear it underpower is if I am going very slow like in 5th gear.  If I give it a little gas I can hear it disappear.  So it is like when there is no torque that you can hear the clicking.

[tonycb650]

i had the same problem.apparently from running 87 octane.switched back to 93. also could be an exaust leak at the header.

[Johnie]

I did change the exhaust gaskets 3 weeks ago.  I will try a higher octane and see what happens.  Thanks for the input...

[bryanj]

Have you adjusted the balancer chain?

[Johnie]

Balancer chain?  I did the cam chain tell me about the balancer chain?  Sounds interesting.  I will look into the service manual.

[333]

I did change the exhaust gaskets 3 weeks ago.  I will try a higher octane and see what happens.  Thanks for the input...

Re-torque those exhaust bolts.

[bryanj]

Yup theres a balancer shaft in front of the crank and one behind the crank driven by a chain fron the crank and adjusted by an eccentric shat in the front one.

Early 400's had a big silver plug at the front of the clutch cover to do the  adjustment through later ones you have to remove the clutch cover

[Johnie]

Thanks for that reminder Bryan.  I did adjust that 2 years ago and checked it again today.  It was way out of adjustment with the slider way to the upper position.  I loosened the bolt and it slid all the way to the bottom.  I may have to remove that clutch cover to move that cam slider per the service manual.  Hard to believe that should be that far out of adjustment with only 3,000 miles on it.  I did take it for a ride and still have that tick.  Have you had any that far out of adjustment that you have to take that cover off and relocate that slider?  I also did re-torque those exhaust gaskets.

[crazypj]

Thanks for that reminder Bryan.  I did adjust that 2 years ago and checked it again today.  It was way out of adjustment with the slider way to the upper position.  I loosened the bolt and it slid all the way to the bottom.  I may have to remove that clutch cover to move that cam slider per the service manual.  Hard to believe that should be that far out of adjustment with only 3,000 miles on it.  I did take it for a ride and still have that tick.  Have you had any that far out of adjustment that you have to take that cover off and relocate that slider?  I also did re-torque those exhaust gaskets.

 We used to take the cover off and re-position the quadrant on first service (500miles)
 Usually had to do it again at 5000 miles. it was fine after that, chain had bedded in.
 Bryan is wrong about time line though, the first ones had plain cover, the chrome plug didn't arrive until 1979~80

[Johnie]

Yes, mine is the big screw so it is easy to adjust.  So I figure I better take that cover off and turn that like 1 notch sound right to you? 

[bryanj]

1 notch normaly--have moved em 2 on occasion and quite probable i got order wrong, it is about 30 yrs since i done one!

[Johnie]

The Honda dealer just stood there scratching his head???  Guess he was not even born when this bugger rolled off the floor.  Thanks again for your expertise.  If I can get this tick gone it will be an unbelievably a quite engine.

[crazypj]

1 notch normaly--have moved em 2 on occasion and quite probable i got order wrong, it is about 30 yrs since i done one!

 I must be senile, I can remember that but not what I did yesterday 
 You may still have to remove the cover as quite often the adjuster is a full travel before chain is fully adjusted.
 Would probably be a good idea to get clutch cover gasket if you can
PJ

[Johnie]

I was able to get an OEM gasket so I should be set to go.  The service manual makes it look pretty simple.  As long as when I pop that clutch cover off stuff does not come flying off at me...