Honda-SOHC

Back roads jaunt across the border today.

Yes they can, and were, back in the day we had one with a bent crank and taking the chance that it was maleable cast we had an approx 9 inch long bar turned so that an internal taper locked to the crank with an ht allen screw then carefull "whacked" the end with large hammer whilst clocking the bar on a turned portion concentric to the taper.
We got it to within 1 thou of concentric and the engine ran fine for as long as we had records of it(years)

We were one of those dealers that removed them at pdi as you could just about guarantee a misfire when the british liquid sunshire arrived

Exactly those sizes Sean,
And perhaps I cheated a bit with slight chamfer on the end of the tube to 'encourage' the clip to open a bit.  As you say, not the easiest of jobs and I would think impossible with the kickstart arm on the engine - for me, it had to be clamped firmly (near vertical) in the vice and I also put a piece of hardwood under the bottom end, so I could 'give it some'.  You are not going on far so perhaps you could open a tube out a bit with a Dremel and even include the chamfer.

Ian

Hi Sean,
I've just done one on this Sloper I'm sorting for a friend.  As you say, not the easiest of tasks.  Fortunately I have a lathe, so I turned a piece of tube and drilled it to be a good sliding fit on the post.  I then clamped the kickstart arm in the vice with soft jaws to protect it.  Assembled the swivel arm and washers with plenty lube and placed the offending circlip over the post and seated it with the short piece of tube by a deft clout with a hammer.   If you don't have access to machine facilities, or know someone who has, perhaps you could hunt around for a piece of suitable tube.

Ian