Topic: New guy, first question.

[sweetback]

Hey all. I found the site due to some trouble I'm havin. More than a regular on forums so I know how to behave. Hi! I have a 1972 CB500 chop that was put together here in LA by Venice Choppers. Its a cool little bike that I've run to Mexico and all over So Cal.
I needed to replace the gasket between the jugs and the cylinder head and now, I'm at a loss. Due to my incredible skills, I put the cam shaft in incorrectly. I cycled the motor by hand to TDC. Then adjusted the first set of tappets. I cycled though again and when I got to TDC, it stopped, dead. I pulled it open and realized my mistake. Flipped it, reinstalled, and then TDC, adjust, rotate and it again stopped dead at TDC. I pulled it apart to look at valves and they all seem to be seated well. I'm wondering if I am missing something. Someone suggested looking at cam followers. I'm not the real deal, I do some work, but am not versed. Anyway, anyone have suggestions as to what might be stoppin 
me at TDC? The motor turns fine until I adjust the valve tappets. The cam chain is free of debris or kinks. Thanks in advance.

[TwoTired]

Can you describe your cam alignment procedure?  What documentation are you following?

[sweetback]

The service manual. It says to line up the notch on the end of the cam shaft with the notch in the head. I'm paraphrasing of course. 

[sweetback]

Just saw this post. Sounds familiar.
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=55839.0

[TwoTired]

Confirm you used the alignment found in the picture, in this thread.

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=55613.msg598847#msg598847

[sweetback]

That looks like my issue. Many thanks. I'll update when I pull it.

[KB02]

Just saw this post. Sounds familiar.
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=55839.0

Confirm you used the alignment found in the picture, in this thread.
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=55613.msg598847#msg598847

You two do know that you caused me a small heart attack with this post, right? First you link to my post with a valve hitting issue (which I have fixed now) then you post that picture of the cam with the key mark at 3 o'clock. I start to sweat as I am getting ready to go to work thinking that my cam is TOTALLY screwed up since I timed it with the key mark at the 12 o'clock position.

Then I take the time to actually read the post, and my service manual, and see that you are working on a 500. I've got a 750. I am breathing better now.

Good luck, Sweetback. Once you get into it, it's actually kind of fun getting the cam timed in.

[sweetback]

HAHAHA.

My apologies KB02. I know the feeling of reading a buttload of posts to figure out an issue, and miss a detail. My bad for linking.

The issue was a misaligned camshaft. It's what I get for agreeing to watch her kids while I'm not working. Focus is good when working on your ride.
 
Now I just have to figure out why she's boggin under load. I'll get it though. Carb screws need adjustin for sure.

Thanks all for your help.

[KB02]

HAHAHA.

My apologies KB02. I know the feeling of reading a buttload of posts to figure out an issue, and miss a detail. My bad for linking.

No problem. That's what these boards are here for: to help us shade-tree mechanics get our bikes running.