CB500 K1 rocker cover woes

[Kai.chris]

Definitely has the pinned type Oddjob. Part 14451-323-020 with the cut out. Later cover must have been fitted as the bike is a 72'
As you said the ones without the cut out there's plenty about, typical  . A chap in Germany on eBay has 10 of those for sale currently. They're shorter than the cut out version so can't even be modified to fit.

The 3 correct pins I've found will cost me about £110 in total, I don't want to go on those until I find a 4th. 8 new rockers will set me back a further £200.
Bryan has kindly offered to sell me cam, so that solves a major part of the problem.

[Oddjob]

If it has pins then someone has fitted the later 550f type rocker cover as you suspect. My 500 also has that type fitted.

However, to me something looks wrong. The last time I looked for that part number the only ones I could find were in Germany and they were approx £150 each. Sellers know how scarce these are and hike up the price accordingly. So 3 for £100 looks to good to be true. Some sites leave the price on that they charged for the last one they sold, CMS have a habit of doing that. I just looked on the web and every site listed them but they had no stock.

I have loads of decent rockers and even quite a few of the pinned shafts and pins but I’m hanging onto them until I know what I need for my own builds. I would buy scrap covers just to get the shafts from all over the world, which is why I’m suspicious as I know just how hard they are to find.

Oh and Newman can repair the rockers if that’s of any interest.

[Kai.chris]

There's no stock showing now because I bought them all earlier today. I know, after saying I wouldn't, just couldn't resist it. Might not get another chance.
I had 1 from silvers £25 odd, no picture showing so I hope its the right one.
Another was from CMSNL along with 8 rockers, picture was showing that as correct.
Final one was from an eBay seller in Netherlands, that one cost £40 with the postage 

Have you actually found these shafts in used covers that aren't worn out? All of mine have a lip I can feel with my nail, where rockers have rubbed into the shaft.
I thought to just flip the shafts round in the case so the rocker is rocking on the unworn area of the shaft, they'll still be too loose but should hit the cam lobes at the right angle instead of on one side.

I was going to send the rockers to Newmans but I'm assuming the price to refurb them isnt far off new anyway.

Could you be persuaded to sell just one of your good pinned shafts please?

[Oddjob]

I have at least 12 pinned shafts, 8 have been hard chromed before the cost of getting that done went through the roof. Whether that stops the wear reoccurring isn’t proven yet until I finish an engine and test the theory but it could well do. The last 4 have minimal wear showing. Not sure if I have another spare but it’s possible.

However I’m bedbound at the moment after just coming out of hospital, it may be weeks before I can walk again. So I can’t check on what I have until then. I walked unaided for the first time yesterday but not strong enough yet to access the garage.

If you still need one when I can get in there I’ll have a look but can’t promise anything.

[Kai.chris]

Thanks for the offer of having a look when you're feeling better.
I'll keep my eyes on the net, hopefully one comes up. Failing that I'll have to stick the least worn of the four, back in.

I wish you a speedy recovery. Sounds like you're making good progress considering what you've been through.

[Murf]

That cam you took out looks like it has been built up with weld and reground to something resembling a cam shape,  plus it  is just about to start falling to bits. What a bodge, there is no end to them is there.

On a more positive note I don’t see why new rocker shafts can’t be made out of silver steel bar or hardened steel bar. They look very simple and the price seems high enough to make it worth while.