Topic: cb550 cam chain problems...HELP!!!!

[chainsaw]

So I did a little bit of work on the top end of my 77 cb550f (new rings, valves, gaskets, o-rings) and now upon re-assembly not only did I have a hell of a time even getting the cam chain back onto the cam sprocket, but now I can't get enough slack out of the chain to get the sprocket with the chain on to go up onto the lip of the cam shaft where it needs to be.
The tensioner is all the way back, the chain is on the lower sprocket, the motor is set to TDCC, everything seems to be together right, but I will not go.
If anybody else has run into this please help me out.

Thanks
chainsaw. 

[bistromath]

EEEEEEVERYONE runs into this problem. It's a great puzzle trying to do it the first time, but fear not. Gordon's tutorial in the FAQ will help:

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=369.msg57914#msg57914

[ieism]

    Even with the tutorial, it's still a bit of a puzzle. I found that drinking a few bears helps a lot...

[chainsaw]

Yeah.. the tutorial doesn't really pin point the problem I'm having. I have the chain on the sprocket, it just won't go onto the shaft now. And belive me, I've tried drinking a few beers, taking a "safety break", swearing at it, starring at it, you name it, nothing!

[bistromath]

It's tight, that's for sure, but you shouldn't have to force it.

Make sure that you have the camchain tensioner completely backed out -- loosen the lock nut, use a screwdriver to turn the adjusting screw CLOCKWISE at least 1/4 turn until it stops moving, tighten the lock nut while holding tension on the screwdriver.

And make sure you don't have the front tensioner slipper put in backwards. Sounds dumb, I know, but it's possible to do. The slipper should be facing forward with the cam chain in front of it.

   Even with the tutorial, it's still a bit of a puzzle. I found that drinking a few bears helps a lot...

Jesus, man. You are one hard dude. Drinking bears? How do you even do that? 

[Seafarm]

Could you be off by 1 tooth on the top gear?  I was.

[chainsaw]

Bistromath: I think you just helped me out!!! right now I have the guide slipper facing the rear of the motor, with the chain in front of it. I'm pretty sure its backwards huh?

[bistromath]

Slipper faces front, chain in front of slipper.

Unless I'm on drugs or something -- I just put it together a few weeks ago, and I'm fairly positive that's it.

[bistromath]

Yeah, just looked again at the service manual. Slipper facing front, chain in front of slipper.

Have fun!

[chainsaw]

Thanks a lot man. You helped me out a ton! Something simple I over-looked!

[bender01]

I can help you get rid of that awesome helmet!    Really.

[chainsaw]

That helmet is sitting here everyday waiting for me to finish this damn bike so it can get put to use!