Primary Drive Chain Guide

[SeanFD]

Just starting to put my engine back together.

Can someone advise which way the primary drive chain guide fits in the lower case?

Outside the two bolts, one end is longer than the other and it has a small hole/depression in it.

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Does this go at the bottom, by the oil pan, or the other way round?

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[ka-ja]

Csml parts diagram shows the same item (141) top and bottom

[SeanFD]

Yes there are two of them, but one end is longer - after the bolt hole than the other.

Anyway, I found the answer, from two sources:

Nurse Julie’s rebuild thread on here: http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,14049.105.html

And from Kevin on the US site. He posted this amazing pic, which I thought I’d share:

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The hole goes towards the sump pan.

[ka-ja]

Strange one, aladdin's cave parts list says  2 off 23132-333-010  guide, one for the experts to comment on?

[Nurse Julie]

Strange one, aladdin's cave parts list says  2 off 23132-333-010  guide, one for the experts to comment on?

There are 2 fitted Ken, one on the bottom case and one on the top case but that fiché doesn't show the other one in the picture.... Well, not that I can see anyway.
Edit... Just found the other one on the fiché. #141

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[SeanFD]

Yes, there are definitely two.

The one in the top case is relatively easy to locate properly as there is a ridge/boss on the case which means it only fits well one way.

In the bottom casE, however, it will sit equally well either way. The problem is that one end - the end with the “dimple” in it – is effectively longer than the other.

In any case the answer seems to be that the “dimple” goes downwards towards the sump.

[SeanFD]

So I noted on Nurse Julie’s thread a comment to the effect that: “The primary chain is the original and is knackered.”

I was wondering how you checked it and so looked up my Haynes manual, and guess what I found! Page 36, para 34.2

              “When fitting guides, the incised dot must be at the rear end of the guide” !

There is even a picture!! 

Anyway it didn’t say how to decide of the chain is done, so Julie can you advise?

[Nurse Julie]

Here is my old chain on the left next to the new chain on the right. You can see the old chain has lost a lot of its structure and is sagging. Also, in my mind, there was no point in not changing the chain as I don't plan stripping that engine again and it's a full strip needed to change it, so not prudent or cost effective not changing it during the build. Even if the chain hadn't have been as knackered, I would have changed it anyway.
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[SeanFD]

Thanks Julie,

Seeing them side by side it’s pretty obvious. I’ll check mine out tomorrow; on visual inspection it looked OK - nothing bent, worn or chewed And it didn’t stretch – but I didn’t think about it sagging like that.

I agree with what you say about not wanting to do it again soon, but it’s always a dilemma; these bikes can last a long time and take a lot of abuse - I’ve just ridden a 750K2 from Zimbabwe to Ireland – so you either decide to replace everything or only stuff that really and clearly needs it.

I started this project on a tidy up and ride basis, so I’m already way past what I started out to do. That in many ways make the decision even more difficult, but if it needs doing, it needs doing.

[Bryanj]

The chain is same as a Kawasaki one which can be bought a lot cheaper

[SeanFD]

The chain is same as a Kawasaki one which can be bought a lot cheaper

That’s interesting!

Is this the one?

https://www.motorcyclespareparts.eu/en/kawasaki-parts/920571011

£53.50 incl postage vs £152.02 From DSS.

It’s such a a bargain it’d almost make me go for it whatever! 

[SeanFD]

Well I replaced the primary and cam chains - all or nothing I thought, and repaired the cam chain adjuster hole - that I thought was in good nick on my “new” cases – using the insert from Dennis at Mybikebits:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Honda-CB400F-stainless-steel-Cam-Chain-Adjuster-Repair-Kit/274371399590?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649

He was very good, taking back the bolt I had bought originally and replacing, at new cost of course, it with the repair kit I now needed.

So now I am ready to join the cases, but .... Looking at the parts fiche, it seems there are 4 dowels between the upper and lower cases

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The 2 x 323s I have located, but I cannot see where the other two, 322,  should go. I have looked at several pics online and none seem to have these dowels in place.

Can anyone advise if these do, in fact, go between the cases? If so, where exactly, and if not, where do they go?

[Nurse Julie]

The 322's are oilway dowels and go between the top crank case and the barrels. I'll post a pic in a minute. Don't worry about the O ring that I have around the dowel, that's just an upgrade.

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[SeanFD]

Great,  thanks Julie.