Honda CB750 SOHC Cam Chain Tensioner & Tappet Guide | Cafe Racer Project Bike Engine Prep | 21

Honda CB750 SOHC Cam Chain Tensioner & Tappet Guide | Cafe Racer Project Bike Engine Prep | 21

It has taken some time to get to this point. When I originally tried to start this engine it had an oil leak from the cylinder head that was too big to ignore. This led to stripping the engine and finding that it had Yoshimura big bore pistons. I also found that when it was rebuilt, that the wrong piston rings had been used and this had made the original barrels unusable.

Here's what I used:
Honda Bond 4 Sealant: https://ebay.us/iWIEhV
Torque Wrench ½”: https://ebay.us/N3DaQS
Torque Wrench 3/8”: https://ebay.us/kJRsSF
Torque Wrench ¼”: https://ebay.us/AUgpRz

In this video I am putting the finishing touches to the engine so that I can put it back into the frame. I just need to install the cam chain adjuster, set it, then set the tappets and put the rocker cover back on.

I was considering using a billet, finned, starter motor cover, but came to the conclusion that it would be difficult to fit with the cam chain tensioner, and would need quite a bit of machining. I suspect that this why it hadn’t been fitted in the first place.

Fitting the cam chain tensioner was quite easy, and the SOHC cam chain tensioner is very easy to set. The official workshop manual indicates that the engine should be set at TDC for cylinders 1 and 4, but the forums on the internet suggest that the engine should be taken just past this by 15 degrees or so. With the rocker cover off, you can see that this little bit of extra rotation does seem to reduce the pressure on the rockers and to take some more tension off the cam chain.

When I fitted the rocker cover it seemed that one of the locating dowels was just a little bit too long. I reduced it a little and then the cover fitted perfectly. I used a little grease on the gasket, I hope that is sufficient.

By the end of the video the engine is completely ready to be fitted back into the frame. Although I have cleaned the cases I haven’t worried too much about the cosmetics, I have had to spend so long on getting the internals back together I want to make sure that it runs before I spend too long worrying about how it looks.

For more helpful how-to guides and restoration project logs, visit our blog: https://www.spannerrash.com/

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