Topic: Camchain procket broke off. Fixed it up it still clunks

[bryanj]

I see one of two possibilities

(1) cam chain jumping arround on crank sprocket cos it aint fitted correctly

(2) cam chain tensioners not assembled correctly

[jacquesleclochard]

This doesn't look like a bolt simply backed out of the cam sprocket to me: both ears are broken off the cam. Plus the reported wear of the tensioners and guide? Was the cam chain way too tight? Maybe the cam chain was not properly located on the crankshaft sprocket? In any case, I would replace the cam chain.

I replaced the guide, the roller and the cam chain today. By tomorrow eve I'll have the bike put back together, and I will let you know how it goes from there.

[mmtsquid]

Jaques - don't feel bad, I didn't put loctite on the sprocket bolts either, and had nearly the same result as you.  bent valves on cyls 1-3.
The simplest course of action is to find a used head on e-bay - they typically run $50.

[turboguzzi]

Jaques - don't feel bad, I didn't put loctite on the sprocket bolts either, and had nearly the same result as you.  bent valves on cyls 1-3.
The simplest course of action is to find a used head on e-bay - they typically run $50.

50$ in europe?.... sweet dreams

TG

[jacquesleclochard]

Jaques - don't feel bad, I didn't put loctite on the sprocket bolts either, and had nearly the same result as you.  bent valves on cyls 1-3.
The simplest course of action is to find a used head on e-bay - they typically run $50.

Ouch. Really sucks, eh? Luckily, my bolt came out when I wasn't riding! So none of my valves were bent. And Guzzi is right, CB parts are harder and more expensive to come by in Yurope than in the USA.

Anyway, I just finished up rebuilding the cylinder head, but now I am wondering if I still really need the loctite after I torqued the sprocket bolts to the recommended settings...?

[jacquesleclochard]

I see one of two possibilities

(1) cam chain jumping arround on crank sprocket cos it aint fitted correctly

(2) cam chain tensioners not assembled correctly

Yeah, Bryanj, I think that it was #1. One of the two sprocket bolts must have come loose. When I drove, it must have broken off the ear and fell down. When I tried to kickstart the engine, the cam revolution must've jerked the other ear too hard, which made that one break off also. Luckily I didn't drive any further, so the bolt was still there mounted on the sprocket which held the broken ear in place. What a mess.

I replaced the whole shebang - new chain is TIGHT! That normal?

[turboguzzi]

Jaques - don't feel bad, I didn't put loctite on the sprocket bolts either, and had nearly the same result as you.  bent valves on cyls 1-3.
The simplest course of action is to find a used head on e-bay - they typically run $50.

Ouch. Really sucks, eh? Luckily, my bolt came out when I wasn't riding! So none of my valves were bent. And Guzzi is right, CB parts are harder and more expensive to come by in Yurope than in the USA.

Anyway, I just finished up rebuilding the cylinder head, but now I am wondering if I still really need the loctite after I torqued the sprocket bolts to the recommended settings...?

yeah, take one bolt at a time, loctite it, torque it, then do the other one.... are you still unsure if its needed after all the mayhem? maybe you should try once again without loctite to be sure

TG

[mmtsquid]

Yeah brother, you need loctite - the red stuff. (designed for high temps)

[jacquesleclochard]

Did the loctite, the blue stuff. Maybe should have gone with the red. But I did torque it to specs.

Anyway, it looks as if my camchain came off now. So yet another teardown... damnit.

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

As TG asked "are you using the workshop manual to set up your motor? if not, use it."

To me it all sounds procedural not mechanical. I have a Honda Shop Manual, a Chilton's, a Clymer's, and a Cycleserv. They all are similar but they all have mistakes, even the Honda manual. They are also somewhat general in their approaches. Honda made many changes and modifications over 9 years. The older manuals could not pick up on the yet to be changed changes. By using them together and comparing, asking questions of those that know, and taking plenty of time thinking about what I'm about to do I've had success. You're not in the US or UK but your English is as good as any of us so I wouldn't think there would be a translational issue either. I just think you're missing a step or 2 in how you put it together.    

You can't go wrong by using Locktite (I'm a Harley owner) but I've never used it on my Honda. I've just always relied on a torque wrench. Lucky perhaps but I do plan on using it on my soon to be US $6000 engine!

[jacquesleclochard]

I have a dutch translation of the shop manual, the original owners manual and haynes in PDF. And ofcourse this forum, it's been a huge, huge help. But these issues that I am running in to now, are post rebuild. So I tore it down, took out the manuals and studied, studied and studied. Then I put it back together, revised. All these problems I ran into, like a lock nut coming off and this camshaft braking, is weird science. Lock nut revved off, the camshaft broke because I did not locked the sprocket accordingly. I'm from the school of hard knocks.

Point, I use the manual, point taken. Thanks, old timer