AboutBill Silver Expertise Need help with vintage Hondas from the 1960s? I am an expert with 250-305cc bikes in particular and most all of the other pre-91 models, in general. I do NOT claim to have a great deal of experience on Gold Wings, Cruisers, ATC/ATVs and dirt bikes.
Experience I have owned/ridden/maintained Honda motorcycles for 35 years. I have written five books on Honda repairs and collecting. I was a service manager for two Honda shops back in the 1980s.
Organizations VJMC (Vintage Japanese Motorcycle Club) of North America
Publications VJMC newsletter, as editor for two years and as contributing editor currently.
Question My owners manual died. How do I ajust cam chain tentioner? 1977 CB750K Honda
Answer Don, if you bring the crankshaft around to about 15 degrees past TDC on the 1-4 marks, release the camshaft tensioner locknut and bolt and you may hear it/feel it pop in further. If not, turn the motor over ONE complete turn and check again.
You can put the small end of an allen wrench or small screwdriver in the end of the tensioner, with the bolt loose and feel it move in and out as you rotate the crankshaft with a wrench.
A quick and dirty method is to loosen the lock bolt, turn the KILL switch to OFF position (so it won't start up!),then gently tap the starter button a little at a time and then feel the end of the tensioner shaft with the small tool until you feel it move in as far as possible. Lock it down and you are ready to ride.
If in doubt, listen for the sound of the camchain aftwerwards, once it is running again.
There is a fair amount of noise generated in the top end and you could have worn tensioner rollers and other parts that may mask the camchain noise.
Just play with it a little until you feel confident that the chain is properly tensioned. DO NOT force the end of the tensioner shaft into the tensioner body. It should be free to move in and out on its own with the bolt loosened.
If it isn't moving at all, then the tensioner assy should be removed and the cause repaired.
Check the www.sohc4.us site for more details and assistance.
Bill Silver
