Honda-SOHC

SOHC.co.uk Forums => CB750 => Topic started by: johncam on May 25, 2018, 12:56:42 PM

Title: TAPPET ADJUSTMENT - HOW THE HECK DO YOU GET A FEELER GUAGE IN???
Post by: johncam on May 25, 2018, 12:56:42 PM
I’m looking to adjust the tappets on my 750 four and my Clymer manual says remove the caps in the rocker cover and go from there. Only problem is the depth the tappets sit at don’t allow a normal feeler gauge in easily. Are there special bent end feeler gauges for this job? Obviously with the rocker cover off the job would be easier but I’m not sure it will come off in the frame?
All advice gratefully received and for those that replied on my carb balance item thanks again! Particular thanks to those that offered to lend me one – nice community
!
Title: Re: TAPPET ADJUSTMENT - HOW THE HECK DO YOU GET A FEELER GUAGE IN???
Post by: Nurse Julie on May 25, 2018, 01:35:25 PM
Just bend over the last 3/4 inch of the feeler gauges, they go in then. (leave them bent and buy yourself another set of straight ones) And no, the rocker cover does not come off with the engine in the frame, that is a complete engine out job.
Title: Re: TAPPET ADJUSTMENT - HOW THE HECK DO YOU GET A FEELER GUAGE IN???
Post by: Simon46 on May 25, 2018, 02:22:52 PM
Damn good idea! Mine are rusted together it's that long since I used them.

Sent from my G8141 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: TAPPET ADJUSTMENT - HOW THE HECK DO YOU GET A FEELER GUAGE IN???
Post by: oapcb400 on May 25, 2018, 03:33:20 PM
on a 400/4, Rick Parkington's rebuild in classic Bike, he states the thread pitch of the adjuster is 0.05mm, so a single full turn of the adjuster moves it by half a millimetre or 20 thou. with the crank set to the tappet setting position,wind the adjuster down until it touches the valve and then reverse by one full turn.  two full turns equate  to  1mm or 40 thou.    not sure of other bikes thread pitch.  I' m new to honda's, i'm just posting what i read, ready to be corrected!
Title: Re: TAPPET ADJUSTMENT - HOW THE HECK DO YOU GET A FEELER GUAGE IN???
Post by: Nurse Julie on May 25, 2018, 03:49:12 PM
Damn good idea! Mine are rusted together it's that long since I used them.

Sent from my G8141 using Tapatalk
Don't forget to remove the rust first !!!  ;D ;D
Title: Re: TAPPET ADJUSTMENT - HOW THE HECK DO YOU GET A FEELER GUAGE IN???
Post by: Rob62 on May 25, 2018, 04:32:51 PM
on a 400/4, Rick Parkington's rebuild in classic Bike, he states the thread pitch of the adjuster is 0.05mm, so a single full turn of the adjuster moves it by half a millimetre or 20 thou. with the crank set to the tappet setting position,wind the adjuster down until it touches the valve and then reverse by one full turn.  two full turns equate  to  1mm or 40 thou.    not sure of other bikes thread pitch.  I' m new to honda's, i'm just posting what i read, ready to be corrected!
Assuming that the pitch is indeed 0.5mm, it probably is. Then you need to wind it in and then back out by one tenth of a turn to achieve 0.002” (0.05mm).... thats not going to be easy to judge. I would prefer to use feeler gauges i think although its useful to know.
Title: Re: TAPPET ADJUSTMENT - HOW THE HECK DO YOU GET A FEELER GUAGE IN???
Post by: oapcb400 on May 25, 2018, 06:02:04 PM
Hi Rob. i'm still locked into £sd and Feet and inches, but i read the article to mean backing off the adjuster one full turn gives you exactly the 0.05mm gap, as i said i'm of a certain age and easily confused!!!
Title: Re: TAPPET ADJUSTMENT - HOW THE HECK DO YOU GET A FEELER GUAGE IN???
Post by: ka-ja on May 25, 2018, 07:31:39 PM
Solely using the thread pitch as a measure is dodgy, the clearance needs to be checked when the lock nut is tight, the tappet always moves slightly when the lock nut is tightened
Title: Re: TAPPET ADJUSTMENT - HOW THE HECK DO YOU GET A FEELER GUAGE IN???
Post by: Bryanj on May 25, 2018, 07:51:21 PM
Giving away a 40 year old trade secret, if you move the rocker end up and down and can feel movement but not hear a "click" that is damn near 2 thou--if you undo a fraction more till you hear a very slight "click" that is 4 thou-----WARNING----- THIS METHOD TOOK YEARS TO PERFECT SERVICING HONDA'S DAILY
Title: Re: TAPPET ADJUSTMENT - HOW THE HECK DO YOU GET A FEELER GUAGE IN???
Post by: sprinta on May 25, 2018, 08:11:01 PM
You could get one of these:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Motion-Pro-Valve-Clearance-Feeler-Gauge-002-003-Inches-05-08-mm-Motorcycle/401487923010?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

Yes a bit pricey, around £10 inc p & p from the US, but if it does the job and makes it easier it's worth the money?



Title: Re: TAPPET ADJUSTMENT - HOW THE HECK DO YOU GET A FEELER GUAGE IN???
Post by: Simon46 on May 25, 2018, 08:49:11 PM
I'm going to start buying feeler gauges and kink them. This time next week I'll be a millionare

Sent from my G8141 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: TAPPET ADJUSTMENT - HOW THE HECK DO YOU GET A FEELER GUAGE IN???
Post by: Nurse Julie on May 25, 2018, 08:57:47 PM
I'm going to start buying feeler gauges and kink them. This time next week I'll be a millionare

Sent from my G8141 using Tapatalk
Someone got there before you Simon.....

[attachimg=1]

Even these aren't really bent enough though, maybe you could adapt a little and then you would be a millionaire 😊
Title: Re: TAPPET ADJUSTMENT - HOW THE HECK DO YOU GET A FEELER GUAGE IN???
Post by: Simon46 on May 25, 2018, 09:39:31 PM
Damn dell and Rodney beat me too it

Sent from my G8141 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: TAPPET ADJUSTMENT - HOW THE HECK DO YOU GET A FEELER GUAGE IN???
Post by: Rob62 on May 25, 2018, 10:59:32 PM
Hi Rob. i'm still locked into £sd and Feet and inches, but i read the article to mean backing off the adjuster one full turn gives you exactly the 0.05mm gap, as i said i'm of a certain age and easily confused!!!

0.05mm is roughly 2 thou, so if one full turn is 0.05mm that would be a thread pitch of 500 tpi imperial which it definitely is not. Its more likely to be 50 tpi (threads per inch) or 0.5mm pitch which is still incredibly fine...  as has already been said, feeler gauges is the only way to go and even then its not easy to get right as tightening the locknut alters the gap..you’ve got to make sure the feeler gauge is dragging nicely but the bend in the feeler can make it difficult to judge... Its a nice simple mechanism compared to having to change shims but does require a certain knack...
Title: Re: TAPPET ADJUSTMENT - HOW THE HECK DO YOU GET A FEELER GUAGE IN???
Post by: johncam on May 27, 2018, 04:41:47 PM
Thanks all - think I will bend the end of the appropriate size one on the set . Feel like I should have thought of that first off!!
Title: Re: TAPPET ADJUSTMENT - HOW THE HECK DO YOU GET A FEELER GUAGE IN???
Post by: Simon46 on May 27, 2018, 08:49:29 PM
Bought the motion pro gauge 002 and 003. On its way

Sent from my G8141 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: TAPPET ADJUSTMENT - HOW THE HECK DO YOU GET A FEELER GUAGE IN???
Post by: adespin on May 31, 2018, 03:51:22 PM
You could get one of these:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Motion-Pro-Valve-Clearance-Feeler-Gauge-002-003-Inches-05-08-mm-Motorcycle/401487923010?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

Yes a bit pricey, around £10 inc p & p from the US, but if it does the job and makes it easier it's worth the money?

What a brilliant idea!
Title: Re: TAPPET ADJUSTMENT - HOW THE HECK DO YOU GET A FEELER GUAGE IN???
Post by: Simon46 on May 31, 2018, 04:30:17 PM
That's exactly what I've ordered. From USA.  Awaiting import charges

Sent from my G8141 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: TAPPET ADJUSTMENT - HOW THE HECK DO YOU GET A FEELER GUAGE IN???
Post by: Nurse Julie on May 31, 2018, 04:48:48 PM
Huh, so you don't like my idea if bending the ends  ;D ;D ;D
We have a few sets to choose from though and this little lot was just in one tool chest in the engine building room.!!! Nice that you are buying new tools though.


[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: TAPPET ADJUSTMENT - HOW THE HECK DO YOU GET A FEELER GUAGE IN???
Post by: Simon46 on May 31, 2018, 04:54:16 PM
Thanks Julie. Could have purchased them from bikebitz for the UK full set. So opted for the harder American import option

Sent from my G8141 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: TAPPET ADJUSTMENT - HOW THE HECK DO YOU GET A FEELER GUAGE IN???
Post by: Seabeowner on May 31, 2018, 05:26:35 PM
That's exactly what I've ordered. From USA.  Awaiting import charges

Sent from my G8141 using Tapatalk
No charge on goods <£15.
Title: Re: TAPPET ADJUSTMENT - HOW THE HECK DO YOU GET A FEELER GUAGE IN???
Post by: Simon46 on June 01, 2018, 03:42:32 AM
Phew. Result. Is the tappet tool a necessity?

https://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-Tappet-Adjust-Tool-for-CB750-K0-to-K8-F-to-F3-750-4-SOHC-Four-HWT027-/251646351273?_mwBanner=1&_rdt=1

Sent from my G8141 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: TAPPET ADJUSTMENT - HOW THE HECK DO YOU GET A FEELER GUAGE IN???
Post by: Nurse Julie on June 01, 2018, 09:07:47 AM
This type is better
[attachimg=1]

Forgot to say this pic is one for a CB400 a CB750 needs a screw adjuster, not sure if they do one similar to that for a CB750
Title: Re: TAPPET ADJUSTMENT - HOW THE HECK DO YOU GET A FEELER GUAGE IN???
Post by: Simon46 on June 06, 2018, 06:07:53 PM
Ta Julie. Gave these a try today. Work well

https://i.imgur.com/h5wNyf0.jpg
SimplePortal 2.3.5 © 2008-2012, SimplePortal