Topic: I fixed the camchain on my 400f motor with an old feeler guage...ahaha

[schwebel]

Well a while back my camchain adjuster bolt snapped off in the case. If you know anything about the 350f/400f camchain tensioner system, you know that is worse cast scenerio with these bikes. For about 300 miles it seemed fine, then the dreaded camchain rattle was crazy loud. It sounded like it was going to eat through my bike.  I tried forever to figure out how to get the broken bolt out, tried everything, it's still stuck.

I found a way to jerry-rig it. I took the valve cover off. I checked the tension on the chain with a small screw driver.  It felt like it was just hanging there. I removed the dampener holder. I then took an old feeler guage and cut shims out of it to stuff between the dampener and damper holder. I  put a shim in, turned the engine over a coulple times, tested the tension and repeated. Low and behold the tension came back on the chain. I put it all back together (said a prayer) and when I started it the noise was gone. I have since put about 200 miles on it with no issues (crossing my fingers). I know this is a short term solution to a long term problem, but I was desperate. I'm hoping to get another season out of it before a complete tear down. Anyone else got a jerry-rig story to share  

[fmctm1sw]

I actually thought about putting something on top of that tensioner arm as well to push on it.  But you said you took just the valve cover off?  I thought the head had to come off to get to the top of that though.  I like the idea but I guess you have to take it apart to reapply tension if need be.  Good short term fix though.  Did you take any photos of it?  It may also serve those who have tensioner "horsehoes" that have frozen too...

*edit* looked at the fische..  no just that valve cover comes off.  On top of that you can get that off with the engine in the frame.  I still say it's good for those with frozen tensioners too...  

[TWINFIN]

 Now that was funny !!! You gotta love the Pabst Blue Ribbon!!
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    I also have a broken adjuster on my 400-Four from a previous monkey over tightening ...or not soaking in penetrating oil and then forcing it in or out.
 If your gonna use a smaller sized Easy Out to remove a broken bolt or stud etc. Then buy a good one because all of the cheaper ones will allot of the time break off in your pre-drilled removal hole!

 Really my only complaint about the CB400F is the "semi automatic" Cam Chain Adjustment  ...well and the scissoring of the stock rear shocks on a bouncy turn ...but hey I'm not a fan of "Stock" ...nor a "Purists" either!! Sure the Cam Chain Adjustment procedure worked when it was all new  ...but that didn't last long.

 Ive never had good results with the manuals way of adjusting it.

 I prefer to remove the "Blanking Bolt" just above the Adjusting Bolt (which you loosen) and then manually press down on the internal adjuster rod (with a narrow screwdriver and NOT TOO HARD in the Blanking Bolt hole) until the chain sounds better (engine at 1200 rpm like the book says). Then lock the Adjustment Bolt below it NOT TOO TIGHT ...obviously. Basically your doing the work of the "auto adjusting springs" that are internally pressing against the internal Adjuster Rod. All this provided you haven't let that chain get too stretched out and or the mechanism isn't seized or shot as well.

*Here are some ways to combat the problems of BROKEN CAM CHAIN ADJUSTERS and also ADJUSTMENT OF THE CAM CHAIN:

http://www.cb400f.btinternet.co.uk/cam.htm
 
and:
http://s635.photobucket.com/albums/uu79/TWINFIN360/

-Damon