Topic: Newbies...pay attention to the FAQ

[Nortstudio]

I am definitely a newbie.  Got a bike about 2 months ago now, and have slowly been teaching myself (or being taught by members here) about how to fix my ratty CB550k.

After a ton of help here on the forum, I made my way painfully (probably more so for those who had to redundantly answer my questions) through the tune-up process for the first time.

By the time I hit the timing adjustment, I was feeling fairly good.  I got the 1/4 aligned perfectly.  Nice!  I'm on a roll!  On to the 2/3 alignment, and stopped dead in my tracks.  I ran out of room to move the 2/3 point plate any further counterclockwise.

I found a post in the FAQ about this very issue.  Two-Tired had posted why, what, when, and where this issue occurs.  I read it, got some clarification, and today, finally got around to trying the "shim" fix he details in the FAQ. 

Bingo!!!!  For the first time, I have spot on timing.  And I mean spot-the-f%#k-on!!!!

Thanks to all the guys who offered their expertise and patience.  And for those of you who are trying this whole carnival ride for the first time, trust the FAQ.....

[cookindaddy]

Wow - like in Startrek - "use the FAQ Luke, use the FAQ!"

A nice note.

I too have found much good stuff in the FAQ also as I have progressed in my understanding.

You are perceptive to point this out for newcomers and some not so newcomers.

[Duanob]

I hope the FAQs aren't copy righted becasue I've been printing them off like crazy. Now I have a notebook folder full of them in my workshop.

[Nortstudio]

I have read posts giving credit where credit is due, and hopefully I have done this as much as I should.  

But it's definitely worth noting that at times, the directions listed in some FAQ posts are laid out in terms and understanding that are over my head.  I would assume that others have run into this as well.  The key is really studying it, hopefully while in front of the bike.  

I have started to copy/paste my research in the FAQ into a document I can read on my phone while down on the curb (Brooklyn curb workshop).  Incredibly helpful.  And then when I hit snags, I can be confident that I have done everything in my power to "search" and utilize the site before I post.  And I think that's what the more experienced members are hoping for

The wealth of knowledge on here is amazing - and the feeling of satisfaction when you nail the fix is intoxicating!!!

[Bluegreen]

Wow - like in Startrek - "use the FAQ Luke, use the FAQ!"

A nice note.

I too have found much good stuff in the FAQ also as I have progressed in my understanding.

You are perceptive to point this out for newcomers and some not so newcomers.

Star WARS man 

[cookindaddy]

Star WARS! Not Star TREK!
Yes.
Thanks
It is all blending together at my age

[MagneticWest]

Totally agree with Nortstudio on the incredible resources available here.  I too used Two Tired's shim fix on the points plate a couple of months ago, and it was sweet indeed to finally get the slop out out of the timing adjustment.  A belated thanks to you TT!

Dave

[Stev-o]

Nort - you've come a long way, brother!

[Nortstudio]

Trying...oh lord I'm trying

[Stev-o]

Trying...oh lord I'm trying

That's a big part of bike repair. If you tell yourself you can't do it, you won't. If you at least try, you'll get there.

[Really?]

Learning the Search Fu can take a bit though.  The biggest help with this is to search while on the Home page.  The next is using the right keywords.  I have been here for a bit and still struggle with the Search Fu a bit.

[Nortstudio]

I'm actually having a great time with all  this.  Frustration, even at it's height, has been fairly low.  I have grown into an attitude with this where I realize that things will get done...eventually.

I think they call that...getting old!

Seriously, knowing that this forum exists, and is here for you, allows you to try some things that normally might make you run to a proper mechanic.  So now, I take a deep breath, smoke a cigarette, look up stuff on this site, and then dig back in.

Now when I quit smoking...no way of knowing might happen!

[Spanner 1]

Kudos to TT ( x1,000 ! ) for his input here.... if you like , when your timing is set via TT's method, you can pull the shims and 'peen' the 3 points plate holders with a hammer and nail-set punch... carefully to close-up any gap to the plate.... the trick is carefully.... then your timing/gap should always be re-setable down the road  ... once you never put a wrench on the points advancer/cam nut to turn-over the crankshaft...( just don't do that !!) your good for 'ever'  

[Nortstudio]

Learning the Search Fu can take a bit though.  The biggest help with this is to search while on the Home page.  The next is using the right keywords.  I have been here for a bit and still struggle with the Search Fu a bit.

No question the search can be a little frustrating.  I have had trouble with putting things in quotes to get an exact match, come up with nothing - but later find that exact phrase.

A trick I finally figured out was to start at home page - unless you know you want a trick, and then go into that page, and then search.  Narrows it quite a bit.

I have been advancing the points cam with a wrench.  I read a whole thread about it debating back and forth, and eventually decided to just be very careful with it.  Timing is on for now, so I will give myself just tonight to enjoy this glow of satisfaction

I've actually had better luck at times searching in google, and scrolling to the link on SOHC.

[Ouch]

To make like simpler i put a computer about 5 feet from where i work or my bike. Got tire of haveing a problem...going to the computer room..than back to the garage....makes life easire!!! 

[Nortstudio]

4 flights and no wireless makes this tough for me - but I have to admit, this is when the iPhone shines...

Of course with as much looking as I need to do, the battery has certainly shown it's weak side

Looks like soon I may have a basement space to at least take parts off and work on them down there (ventilation will be a challenge to overcome - but we will figure something out).  Should be able to get a computer down there.  That will be pretty sweet.  I have to say though, the frustration/satisfaction ebb and flow I had yesterday kept me fairly comfortable while wrenching in 42 degree weather on the street.

It's amazing how much energy and heat being pissed can generate!

[ZoomyZen]

Hot DAMN!  That's the greatest FAQ I have EVER seen.  And I'm a mod on a fishing/huting forum, I kinda know what I'm looking at.

As far as the structure goes, that is a really great concept...  I'm going to suggest it to my admin!  Thanks!

[MagneticWest]

Spanner, if you don't mind, could you expound on the peening?  What surface are you peening with the nail punch?

I actually left the shim in place - just drilled a hole thru it so that the screw for the points plate goes thru the shim and locks it in place. 

I plead guilty on turning the crank over by wrenching the cam nut (that's what the manual describes).  What method do you use?

Thanks!
Dave

[Nortstudio]

I'm a little gray on that as well. peening?  I've seen the shim with screw method. My gap was only .008 so I used a gauge and didn't have the heart to leave it in there when I closed it up. Probably should have sacrificed it....

[TwoTired]

Peening, flattens/stretches the metal plate, effectively making the plate larger.
If you had a ball of putty in your hand and flattened it, the outer circumference gets larger in one dimension.
The steel plate is ductile and behaves in a similar fashion if you mash it between something.
You can do this with an anvil and hammer, if you take the plate off the bike.

Or, you can use a pointy center punch and tap a bunch of divots in the plate surface near it's outer edge at the point where it mates with the case guide posts.  This expands the metal some at this point.  I hesitate to recommend doing this on the bike, though.  Because my concept of light hammer hits may be different than what an inexperienced person may assume.  A steel plate is less ductile than the aluminum case of the motor.  Easy to replace the points plate, not so easy to replace the motor case.

Cheers,

[MagneticWest]

Ahh, I get it now - peen the points plate.  Makes perfect sense.  Thanks Lloyd!

Dave

[mystic_1]

It sounded to me like Spanner was suggesting peening the case guide posts.  Peening the points plate does sound better.

'peen' the 3 points plate holders with a hammer and nail-set punch... carefully to close-up any gap to the plate....

mystic_1

[Nortstudio]

I am personally going to stay away from the peening until I feel as "experienced" as TT.  God knows, I would probably smack the plate too hard creating an overhang that then needs to be trimmed....peen and trim....peen and trim.

The damn thing would end up the size of a silver dollar and worth half that!

[TwoTired]

It sounded to me like Spanner was suggesting peening the case guide posts.  Peening the points plate does sound better.

'peen' the 3 points plate holders with a hammer and nail-set punch... carefully to close-up any gap to the plate....

mystic_1

If that IS the case, then I would question which part was/is made "out of spec.", the plate or the mount posts.  Certainly both parts are made to a tolerance.  But, if the specimen plate was made too small, and the case mount posts changed to fit it tightly, then the next plate, if made larger (but still within tolerance) during its production, wouldn't fit inside the case posts.

I would rather massage/modify the much cheaper and easier to replace points plate, rather than the case posts, unless I knew the case posts were made poorly and needed "correction".

Cheers,

[country joe]

I too have learned much from this forum as well, and always thank any help I get. I'd be doing a lot of head scratching if it weren't for this forum. I come from a Harley, and British bike family so the world of SOHC's was very new to me. Glad I found y'all!