Trouble putting Rocker Box Cover back on...

[Athame57]

I went to replace my newly painted Rocker Box Cover and like every second thing I take of this CB400F it doesn't want to go back on. It just will not sit flush on the cylinder head, close the gap on one side and it opens on the other. I can't see anything obstructing it. Referred Haynes to manual and saw there is sequence of bolt tightening to follow, ok...but 'make sure tappets are slackened first'... does this mean I have to slacken the nuts I see through the inspection covers? I can't think why. Not enough daylight to work where I am now so I hope someone can help for tomorrow?

[Bryanj]

Remember whichever position the engine is in at least 2 valves are open so with the rockers in the cover and the valves in the head you are trying to open valves as you tighten the cover down. That is why you need to loosen the adjusters and be VERY carefull tightening down the cover

[Nurse Julie]

Slacken everything off and hold tappets up out of the way with elastic bands.

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[Athame57]

Thanks for this Julie  & Bryangi!

[Davelu88]

I recognise that engine 

[Athame57]

Slacken off tappets means loosen the nuts I see in the inspection covers though...

[Bryanj]

Loosen the nuts and unscre the square ended bolts the nuts tighten onto

[Athame57]

  Thanks! So my homework tonight is the study of resetting my tappets.

[Deano400]

Make sure the tacho drive is free and not being jammed against the cam.

[Nurse Julie]

I recognise that engine 

Haha, they all look the same at that stage Dave.....it could be yours though 

[Athame57]

While I'm learning the tappets bit, I'm waiting for a new Oil Feed Pipe. (Thanks Steven Cooper again!) I discovered one was bent, perhaps courtesy a cracked plastic mount. Just wondering if that could have been causing the 'tappet noise' I've been hearing.

[Nurse Julie]

If the oil feed pipe still had oil coming out of it, it shouldn't have caused the tappety noise.How bent is the pipe and how did it get bent?. The plastic grommet, even if broken, shouldn't cause the pipe to bend.

[Athame57]

I don't know why it's bent, first time I've ever seen it. I'll send a piccie tomorrow when it's light again.

[Athame57]

Well, here is the pic of the oil feed pipe with a bend in the end. Meanwhile, can anything really be done about surface rust on internal parts, the flash seems to have made it look worse than meets the eye? I've put some oil over it for now, I want to get it closed up soon!

[Nurse Julie]

Good thing you have sourced another bar George, that is sooooo far away from where it should to be, due to the bend, it looks like it is almost impinging on the valve springs. Don't worry too much about the rust, wipe off what you can.