Winter Work

[hondatri]

Hi  guys I am putting my 77 400/4 on Bench for winter and need some info I want to replace Cam Chain its Tensioners and adjusters, Anyone who has done have any tips. I will be stripping Top end anyway and Barells plus and  I am going to clean Carbs, I have a Haynes Manual but its not clear enough, Any tips appreciated

[hairygit]

You're going to have to split the crankcases to replace the camchain properly, they are endkless. There are some available with a spring link, but if they were any good I'm sure Honda would have used them

[Bitsa (Ralph Wright - RIP)]

Agree with hairygit if you're gonna do it do it right
Cheers
Bitsa

[Trigger]

If you take it to a Honda dealer they would use a DID split link chain. That is why DID do split chains.

[Bitsa (Ralph Wright - RIP)]

Never did in my day as a mechanic Trig unless it already had one and if I recall right cd and cb175s did.All the step throughs did not if I remember right.
Cheers
Bitsa

[Trigger]

Bitsa, Not the type you use on the old CD's.
This type will require a chain rivet link tool.

[Bitsa (Ralph Wright - RIP)]

Yep got yer now its come back now.God do I hate memory blanks.
Cheers
Bitsa

[bomber]

I would suggest to look online for another manual and cross reference what you do, it will save you time and trouble, don't ask how I know it.
Also, splitting the engine is easier than you might think.

Best of luck

[K2-K6]

I like getting the motor steam cleaned (not pressure washed) before stripping as it makes sense to get any crap off it before starting, also if you loosen any awkward bolts after cleaning when it's still hot you can avoid some problems with old bolts that have been in there for a long time.

[Bryanj]

You need to split the cases to make sure the tensioner horseshoe is ok and normally change the plunger springs. I have paerts book and manual on CD for cost of a beer plus postage

[Clem2112]

Plunger springs ?
I thought new ones were N/A ...
but can the old ones be heat treated in some way to restore their original stiffness?

[hondatri]

Thanks Guys for Suggestions I really dont want to drop the engine to split cranks. I am coming up to 80 and still active to ride and maintain. Will re think when bike up on Bench.

[tom400f]

Plunger springs ?
I thought new ones were N/A ...
but can the old ones be heat treated in some way to restore their original stiffness?

Does it matter? The plunger is locked except during tensioning and that can always be aided with the screwdriver-down-the-hole technique.

What happens to the horseshoe thing? Does it wear out at all?

[Lynx]

The chain cuts into the horse shoe near the pivot and burs over the edges. These burrs stop the pivot from moving. There is an article in this months VJMC magazine on the subject.

[Lynx]

I found this book useful.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Honda-Performance-Portfolio-1972-1978-Brooklands/dp/1855204150/ref=sr_1_24?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1413914198&sr=1-24&keywords=Honda+CB400

It has a couple of rebuilds described by different people.