Topic: Valve Cover Removal

[Venturous]

My bike has some aftermarket chrome valve covers. In the day, I suspect they looked sweet, but the chrome is now in sad shape. I am considering finding a stock cover and polishing.

My question is... do you have to remove the engine from the frame just to swap the valve covers, or can it be done on the bike?

Thanks..

[Soos]

what year/model bike?


l8r

[bunghole]

If it is a 750, you'll have to pull the engine.

I wonder if it would be cheaper to strip the chrome from the existing cover and polish that.  I don't know if removing chrome is a big deal or not.  Anyone?

[Venturous]

It is a CB750 K1.

Rats... I was afraid of that. I ain't pulling the engine just for that. Have to wait until I have another reason for pulling the engine. Thanks!

[bunghole]

I created (stole the idea) a bracket and sling device that makes it almost effortless to remove and reinstall the engine from my 750K.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=36812.msg442400#msg442400

[Patrick]

Stripping chrome is extremely difficult unless you are a chromer and not worth the expense of a decent used cover....

[goon 1492]

I have heard of using easy off oven cleaner in the rc car forum I used to get into but have never tried it. I also did a little searching on it, (was inititally scared to type in chrome stripper, wasn't sure if I would get some naughty stuff ) but I found this site seems like an interesting site.

http://www.nmfrc.org/crarchive/sep08a.cfm

[Kevin D]

Have you seen this kit?? It allows top end teardowns without engine removal:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=43143.0

[Venturous]

Have you seen this kit?? It allows top end teardowns without engine removal:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=43143.0

Yes, I have. But pulling the engine seems easier to me than going through all that.

[TwoTired]

I have heard of using easy off oven cleaner in the rc car forum I used to get into but have never tried it. I also did a little searching on it, (was inititally scared to type in chrome stripper, wasn't sure if I would get some naughty stuff ) but I found this site seems like an interesting site.

http://www.nmfrc.org/crarchive/sep08a.cfm

Oven cleaner attacks/dissolves aluminum.  It's ok on steel or plastic.

[Venturous]

I created (stole the idea) a bracket and sling device that makes it almost effortless to remove and reinstall the engine from my 750K.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=36812.msg442400#msg442400

Hmm.. That does seem interesting and if that easy, it might be easier to clean and polish the engine with it out. But from your pictures, afraid I can't see enough to duplicate it. Do you recall what thread you learned how to make that? That could change my mind on pulling the engine.. 

[bunghole]

I'll see if I can find the original post.  I sort of took that idea and modified it to work with what I had access to.  I know that KingCustomCycles uses something similar:

http://www.kingcustomcycles.com/howitisdone.html

What I did was to take some steel flat stock and bend it into a C shape that would bend around the top tube of the frame.  I then reinforced that by welding some more stock to the sides to make it rigid.  On the bottom of the C, I bolted an engine width length of pipe.  On each end of the pipe, I used these to hold the engine:

http://www.amazon.com/Master-Lock-3060DAT-12-Foot-1-Inch/dp/B0009V1WXY/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=automotive&qid=1226705290&sr=8-3

Then I attached an eye bolt to the top of the C to attach to a chain hoist:

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=996

A cheaper rope hoist would work just as well.  Just make sure all of the components are strong enough to hold up about 170 pounds.  I tested it by hanging from it.  I'm scientific like that.

With the engine supported in the sling from the hoist, I can maneuver the frame using my motorcycle jack:

http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00950190000P

[bunghole]

You can sort of make out the components in this pic:

[gregimotis]

Pulling the engine takes a while the first time, but it isn't difficult (not to say that there bracket isn't sweet).  A couple hours of taking parts off and labeling / sorting them; you and a friend and twenty minutes to drag the engine out; do whatever work you intend and then the same to put it back in.  Half the time the second time around.

Take the opportunity to clean your engine all around get and all the nooks in your frame and the bike will look much nicer.  It's harder It's impossible to do as good a cleaning with the engine in frame.


Another trick I got somewhere on this site:

  stack up boards or bricks or old magazines under your engine before taking the mounts out.  Lean the bike over a bit to get one last piece of cardboard under it and now the engine is sitting on it's 'stand' as you remove mounts.  Much easier to get out and back in.