CL450 - Crank split? to replace the bearing retainers

[nairb]

After a bit of research, I think one or other of the bearing retainers on the crank will need to be replaced after several chunks of metal came out when draining the engine oil.
The bearing retainers are shown in the following pic with red arrows.

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Before I start the engine pull down, I was wondering if I will need to get the crank re-built with the new bearing retainers.
I suspect it's the inner bearing retainers that are the problem.  And the crank will need to be split to get at them

Ta
Nairb

[AshimotoK0]

My friend Graham Curtis rebuilds cranks ... he did my CB450K0, CB72 and S90 cranks.

[nairb]

I think that means the crank will have to be split to replace those bearing retainers..... a bit like splitting the crank on a triple 2 stroke to replace the oil seals

[AshimotoK0]

I think that means the crank will have to be split to replace those bearing retainers..... a bit like splitting the crank on a triple 2 stroke to replace the oil seals

Yes correct ... Graham Curtis has the press and fixtures to do it. I know he has done 4-speed bomber cranks as he did mine ..not sure he's done a 5-speed but he's deffo done CB350Ks/G5's that are similar in design. He always cleans out the sludge traps in the crank flywheels as they preferentially retain heavily compacted debris particles  in preference to the centrifugal oil filter. He has a real bee in his bonnet about it.

[nairb]

Thanks for the info.  I have finally dug out the/a manual for the 5 speed engine (clymer)and gave it a look at.  I really dislike pulling a factory finish engine apart, and it's going to be the full job to get at those bearing retainers and check their condition...... Bugger.  The engine was still running OK.  It was the bits of metal that dropped out at oil change time that gave the game away.

Not looking forward to this at all.  Will I really have to split the cam chain..... the manual seems to say so.  2-stroke engines are So much easier.

[Bryanj]

Yes you will have to split it, its the only way to get the head off, and re rivet a new link in

[nairb]

I have never worked on one of these engines before.  I have rebuilt a cb360 and cd175 engine ages ago.  I thought these 450 engines were bulletproof, or a good as.
I have changed the oil regularly, but something has failed or will soon.

And I have noticed that the cylinder head is a large one piece lump.  And it's obvious now that the head won't come off with the camchain still in place.

And the engine has to be out of the frame to get the head off............. And I thought it was a Sunday afternoon jobbie with a couple of spanners.

I tested one of the lumps of metal that dropped out of the oil drain hole and its magnetic.  Maybe I should have waited before buying 4 new bearing retainers from DSS.