Topic: '75 CB750 Valve Cover Removal

[woddy22]

Hi all, say I'm still trying to get  my bike running good.....I need to adjust the valves before going any further but I can't get the caps off the intake valves so I can get in and adjust them.....anyone have a miracle idea?? I thought about just pulloing the cover off entirely but didn;t know if I could with the engine still in the bike. ANyone have any experience with removal the valve cover while the engie is still in the bike? Is there enough room to do it?
   
Thanks

[fuzzybutt]

you cant remove the valve cover while the engine is still in the frame. alot of times those tappet covers ger cranked down way to hard. make sure you use a 6 point wrench or socket when you try and remove them. 17mm i think is the size.

[750goes]

try a little bit of penetrating oil sprayed around them and let it soak in....get a good ring spanner, place a piece of cloth over the tappet cover then the ring spanner (gives a snug fit and does not damage the cover as much), then give the spanner a few love taps with a rubber mallet....most will come loose easily.... before you replace them - reverse the "O" ring under the cap and lightly coat them with some clean oil, then when you tighten them - do up with your fingers until they are tight then another 1/2 turn only.... if they leak a bit of oil - another 1/4 turn -

[tonycb650]

 Before you ask  "ring spanner" = 'box end wrench' in english.

[woddy22]

I finally got them off...almost ashamed to say how though. I used some penetrating oil like was suggested, then figuring they were scraficed any way I locked down on them with some vice grabs and while turning I tapped them with a hammer lightly, almost like an impact driver would do...they came loose but are pretty torn up....I'll have to pick up a couple on ebay.

Thanks all for the help..

[mystic_1]

Replace the o-rings, and when you tighten the caps down, only tighten them enough to smoosh the o-rings and then a wee bit more.  The o-ring does all the sealing, the cap itself doesn't need to be torqued very hard.  Over-tightening of these is common.

mystic_1

[754]

LOL at the 1/4 turn more AFTER the 1/2 turn..

 dont think mine have ever seen an 1/8 turn past when the o-ring flattens.

[buffalogt750]

I know the valves need to be adjusted when the engine is cold, but I've found that stubborn caps are usually easier to remove on a hot engine.