Honda-SOHC

Following the successful (final) removal of the seized oil filter bolt and the seized engine hanger I have got the engine out and on the workbench. Sump, breather cover, cam end covers removed. Rocker cover/assembly screws and bolts all removed thanks to the impact driver and JIS bits recommended by this forum. However, the rocker cover/assembly wont lift off. I have given it a few taps with the soft mallet and checked for hidden bolts but I cant see anything I have missed. There is a clear gap at the front of the engine between the cover and the head but at the back (intake side) there is no gap at all. It looks as if there are a couple of locating dowels on the back edge which if steel may have corroded and stuck fast. Is there a bolt/screw I may have missed and what are the thoughts about the locating dowels sticking; does this happen and if so is there a remedy? I have attached an aerial view in case there is something obvious to the experts. Many thanks. Mike

I fitted this one 15420-300-020P a Honda part iirc 17 mm head listed for the CBX1000 that fits the 500/550 etc

I think it differs from the original as it has a bigger bolt head - not sure if its Chromed or something like BZP.
Some of the cheaper aftermarket ones do not have as many holes in the center section.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/264943691840?itmmeta=01HWDDES73CKH5R32S12N9A5G9&hash=item3dafdfe840:g:u6QAAOSw8NtftZ1Z&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA8AzdMM%2BMWvZhhc3hpVrufY7HefzhlpBjKh9LzaHr%2BTT80HHYlIkG7YpopkBeJ%2FZ3XZh9zXeBaFEunnCDsd59kDVcH5j8xDbcFsICz9d5BtbEkzKUc2pnCo2OAF31Uob6BMrjg%2FrdKilBzxfgSWoyHWTZlQgnb0uBUEumpEYCd4%2FUT2PcHd4F%2FsGJlq6YMUyP9j3BJOUwkNMNTzoicdxObtnFl8FEShqtm0GMg1uF7hszwt80PGodPrm7IqxcdLonbebs--hlBAFjJNdpl8%2Fmn%2BQ1SU60yojghbXjfGLWmDOVzJ%2F1B52BKx6eaDVoCu32NA%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABFBM0pO7reNj

.https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/264943686943?itmmeta=01HWDDES73YBCGWN4KZ8V7S89P&hash=item3dafdfd51f:g:u6QAAOSw8NtftZ1Z&itmprp=enc%3AAQAJAAAA8JrIwGRHmeU0aMJnday6MO%2B1H1pfpTS9yb76oegYbFuMXrq1Fl1eV3Tws9HdYd0FJbf7oUns3U14PrOi9z8Z3jatktB%2FXDiCvT%2FGOQFh2tzFT0YzXPxeBXbB20dSWVnUR%2FKnBFuZmiEtRZDfz%2FhR1QrFK6xQEg%2BM%2B1ueBOuFFm13NQ7hJ7JGLbhUuqQ2YU56hDA%2B%2Fxbqg4fIaeMTStWhhAmofAcfB86Lql5Kfyd0QAswCjkxo%2FBYXbBGAZWytMZAyU3khw5oOJAkxKLHXa4pZzVpInUxBW4Qvqikwqlf4TZEQlLpcsqu82Fgtl2rL1GVMg%3D%3D%7Ctkp%3ABk9SR9KTu63jYw

Perfect, thanks! I now have a new challenge and have made a new post - cant seem to remove the rocker housing now! Cheers. Mike

Could I suggest something I do,

Take the bike for a run   about 15 to 20 miles  get it nice and warm
When home, keep the engine running, put on centre stand

Get your long screw driver

Now ,turn one airscrew a quarter turn out,
Check what happens, blip the throttle, OK?

If it struggles,turn to previous settings

But if its OK,do another, repeat, and check

Remember, Modern fuel is different than 50years ago,

It might like a leaner tickover

Sent from my SM-A546E using Tapatalk

Good point John, most folk overtighten canister oil filter by hand often needing a chain grip tool to remove them.

I try to use the lower torque reading given or just by feel as the O ring becomes compressed.

My understanding of spark plug technology  is they are designed to be  self cleaning at higher revs/temperatures - obviously there is a limit to this function so if the mixture is overly rich right through the range they will soot up.

I suspect throttle blipping was something we used to do to keep the plugs from sooting up at idle to make a clean getaway.

My experience primarily with cars using carbs is that a vehicle used for mostly short journey work fitted with the manufacturers standard plugs would foul up badly needing a good run to clear the carbon deposits.

I particularly remember a disabled customer who ran an Automatic Opel Commodore 2.5 GS (1974) from his home to work a  distance of less than a mile. On collecting his Opel from Ashbourne it would not exceeed 45-50 mph flat out. During the course of the journey to our service department  in Burton the top speed would slowly improve until it would reach 60-65 mph. After a service the car would drive like it should for a 2.5 litre straight six.

Fitting a different plug type to cope with the short journey used mostly on auto choke was not an option as the customer would drive to Scotland a few times a year where he had family. In reality he wouid have been better driving a car with a much smaller engine.