Cam chain

[paul G]

Hi all,
           Thinking of doing the cam chain, looks like the guides are worn but the chain doesn't look bad, not worth splitting the cases for anyway.
Has anyone got any experience/comments on fitting a new chain but splitting and riveting !!

Regards,

[Bryanj]

Did lots when in the trade but only with the proper riveting tool which ain't cheap

[paul G]

Brian,

Quite a few for sale on the net.
What is special about the genuine article, anything.

Regards,

[Tiny Tim]

Hi,
When I replaced the cam chain on my 550 I soon discovered that buying a cheap chain splitter(£40) is a bad idea. The tool broke and the cam chain remained intact
I ended up borrowing a decent one from a local bike shop.

[Bryanj]

I dont have a camchain splitter and would/t trust a cheap one, best i ever used was a Yamaha one

[kettle738]

Every CB450 and 500T uses a soft link cam chain from new......the soft links are fine, it's just the question of fitting them properly, get that right and you will have no problems........ and save yourself an awful lot of time and money.

Mick..........kettle738

[Bryanj]

That's the whole point Mick, its the tool to fit them properly that costs

[mike the bike]

I've used the 500T soft link and it works fine.  Some tips though..

Before you grind the rivet pin off, stuff some oily rags around to catch the swarf.

Get a split link, same size, to join the new chain to the old.  turn the engine over using a 22mm spanner on the crank (points side) until the new chain is fed through.

Keep the rags in place, you don't want to drop any soft link bits down the tunnel

Use a large hammer on the back of the rivet as something to hammer against.

Check the timing, just in case.

Hope this helps

[Bryanj]

There was a Honda tool in the 450/500 twin workshop tool kit specificaly for splitting and joining the chain as the twins had to be split to get the head off, but it was a pain to use the Yamaha one did the same job easier.
Using two hammers it is too easy to leave the rivet link too loose or too tight, either of which causes problems