Topic: Replacing Cam Chain During a Top-End Rebuild CB350F

[OakBehringer]

Is the cam chain something that can/should be replaced during a top-end rebuild?

Thanks,
Adam

[Trevor from Warragul]

Yep.  Get a new camchain & three soft links from David Silver Spares (two extra links to practise rivetting with).  Get a chain breaking/rivetting tool from Motion Pro (when I did mine I took up some of the sideways freeplay in the rivetting tool with some teflon tape).  Break the old chain, attach the new chain to it with string, and pull the new one through.  Untie the old chain, then practise rivetting on it.  When you think the results are good, rivet the new chain together.  Piece of cake!

[OakBehringer]

Awesome, thanks!

[LoopsAndLogic]

Make sure that after 100miles you re-tighten your chain....It'll stretch just like a normal
drive chain.

But yeah, I guess DSS is the only one to have soft rivet links....bummer.

Hey, post a video of your results...I have a few 400f's that need there cam chains replaced
because of there widely known problem.

Cheers

LL

[OakBehringer]

Three questions

Why is that a bummer?

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This is from my bike-chain "expertise"... sorry about the dumb question...

In regards to "breaking the chain" - I assume this is using a chain tool like this...

http://www.fullcycles.com/images/park-ct-5-chain-tool.jpg

...to remove a rivit?

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Honda OEM replacement chain is best, right?

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Thanks,
Adam

[LoopsAndLogic]

Bummer in a sense that you can only find these soft rivets for these really small chains at DSS.

And Yes, the Honda OEM cam chain is best because it doesn't have a weak point...

There's a lot of talk about this, but I know many that didn't want to tear down the whole
engine just to replace the chain and there results were just as good as OEM performance and durability.

I think that's the chain breaker....

Sorry about that...I really don't know...

Cheers

LL

[Spikeybike]

the tool you posted will break the chain , but not press it back together , you want this one

http://www.denniskirk.com/jsp/product_catalog/Product.jsp?skuId=28350&store=Main&catId=&productId=p28350&leafCatId=&mmyId=

[Trevor from Warragul]

That's the tool for the job.  However, on my first (practise) attempt at rivetting, the tool kept slipping off the soft link's dead centre, due to sideways movement in the tool.  The result was a lopsided mushroom on the end of the soft link.  I solved this by wrapping some teflon tape around the rivetter.  This took out the sideways movement & resulted in a perfectly centred mushrooming of the soft link.  I hope this makes sense..

[OakBehringer]

That chain tool is $95! Is there a cheaper alternative that will give good results?

Any of these?

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/cb.aspx?a=423032&kwtid=274648

http://www.sportingforless.com/Cam-chain-breaker-p/t34.htm

Even the second, at $50, is kinda pricey. I wonder if I'd be better off bringing my case & the new chain to the mechanic who has my head when I pick it up.

[Spikeybike]

that second one looks to be the same as the one i posted, only made by a different company

(and alot more affordable)        if you want the job done right,    you need the right tool (a sad reality somtimes i know)

 and if you do end up doing this yourself make sure you stuff some rags in the openings in the motor , you don'y want to drop a rivit in your motor ,   go ahead ask me how i know

[CU2151]

and if you do end up doing this yourself make sure you stuff some rags in the openings in the motor , you don'y want to drop a rivit in your motor ,   go ahead ask me how i know

I've been there.  A really useful tip!

I managed to snag a motion pro one off of ebay for cheap about a year back.  Might be something to check out.

[OldSchool_IsCool]

I wonder if I'd be better off bringing my case & the new chain to the mechanic who has my head when I pick it up.

That's my plan.  Get an OEM chain ('77 550k) and a "soft link" from a CB500T (DK219 chain size) then take them and my engine bottom to a local shop.  The owner has been riveting cam chains longer then I've been alive!  Great guy to talk to.