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05-27-2010, 6:56 PM Blindstitch Joined on 03-14-2009 Greenfield Wisconsin Posts 9,863 How to adjust tappets and cam chain. How to adjust tappets and cam chain. I know this is everywhere and everyone has their own variation of the plan but this is a quick and dirty for someone who may not know. I also like and use this explanation. http://www.sheppola.karoo.net/TwistedTwin/CXGLTappets.htm#CXGLTappets The Rob Davis site was good for explaining this procedure but since he removed it others wont know how good it was. Another best way to see how this is illustrated is by checking the FSM in chapter 3 page 3-4. I cant remember which it is Clymer or Haynes manual that actually shows great pictures so I suggest you pick up a manual but these are my directions for a quick and dirty. Thicknesses are on sheps page for now. First start out with an absolutely stone cold engine. If the engine is warm then it's not going to be correct. Locate the inspection cover under the radiator at the front of the engine and the other on the right side of the engine. Remove the spark plugs Take a 17mm socket on a ratchet and turn the engine while looking through the right side inspection cover for the line that says TL. That means the left side is at top left. Another way to make sure is to take a T-handled screwdriver and stick it in the spark plug hole. When the engine rotates to TDC (Top Dead Center) the screwdriver will come up to the highest point. At this point you should be able to grab the left and right rockers by the tappet and push them in and out causing them to clack. The manuals vary a little on the gaps to use.The exact settings for CX500s Inlet: 0.0039" Exhaust:0.0047" As the engines are usually old and a little worn there is a bit of leniency in the figures.Some people use 0.003" inlet and 0.004"Exhaust and some use 0.004"Inlet 0.005" exhaust.A good compromise is 0.0035" Inlet and 0.0045" Metric values are 0.10mm Inlet and 0.12mm Exhaust which are good to use. At this point adjust the left side of the engine starting at the intake. Place the correct feeler gauge under tappets and adjust them. You want to be able to pull the gauge out from the center so it comes out evenly from under both valve adjusters. This is the took I use to hold the tappet end as I turn the nut with a wrench. When satisfied with the fit do the exhaust side the same way with the appropriate feeler gauge. Once done rotate the engine till TR shows in the right inspection hole. Followed by the same steps from the left side. Once done with that rotate the engine once and check that they are still the same. After that hit up the cam chain tensioner. Rotate the engine again to TL and back off the cam chain bolt near the inspection cover 1 1/2 to 2 turns out. Don't go any farther or serious problems could happen. Then tap the side of the engine/bolt with a mallet a couple times. This action will move the spring loaded cam chain if for some reason it is stuck. Some also suggest to rotate/rock the crank bolt that you have been turning with the ratchet slightly back and forth so the adjuster falls into the right place. Then tighten up the cam chain bolt again. It is a low torque bolt so if you do any more than 6-9 pounds it could strip or snap. Then put the bike back together and run the engine. Here is a picture of a worn out cam chain before it got changed. It kind of shows how the bolt rides on a slot and a spring pulls the blade in. INFO, PICS and other Knowledge may have came from Shep, LRCXed Larry, Manuals or off the top of my head. If you don't know chapter 3 in the FSM you better make it your friend if you want to keep your bike. If anyone has any info or pictures to add please do so. 1979 CX500 Supertanker ATGATT makes riding a bike like a sled easier. Quick Reference    Report

05-27-2010, 8:13 PM Blue fox Joined on 04-18-2008 COLUMBIA, MISSOURI Posts 1,533 Re: How to adjust tappets and cam chain. Don, am I mistaken, or does the last picture show a worn out chain? Blue Fox 1983 GL650I, 79-CX500C, 1980 CX500C, 82-GL500I, 82-GL1100, 76-CB550, 81-CB750C, 73-CB350F, 71-CT90,    Report

05-27-2010, 8:22 PM Blindstitch Joined on 03-14-2009 Greenfield Wisconsin Posts 9,863 Re: How to adjust tappets and cam chain. Damn I got the wrong picture. edit... Cant find the right picture so I edited what it said. I only did this write up because it seems people are having problems with finding directions. And we're going to have unsatisfied members if we keep giving responses like "get a manual". The poster had a similar question that went the same way. Just hope he doesn't work for the post office or some of you are doomed. http://choppercharles.com/cs/forums/196738/ShowPost.aspx 1979 CX500 Supertanker ATGATT makes riding a bike like a sled easier. Quick Reference    Report

05-28-2010, 2:14 AM spanish bandit Joined on 02-12-2009 southern spain Posts 5,010 Re: How to adjust tappets and cam chain. GL500,,,,,automatic tensioner....50,000 miles on the clock [incase this helps you don,are you thinking of putting it in the quick reference thread ?] Worn chain new chain fitted when i feel the need,i do it,llego,ve 60,s ----------------------------- 2008.1982 honda gli silverwing [uk model ] 2010.1981 honda gli silverwing [uk model ]    Report

05-28-2010, 3:08 AM Frenchified Joined on 05-27-2010 Marseille, France Posts 18 Re: How to adjust tappets and cam chain. Um, you wrote "Metric values are 0.10mm Inlet and 0.12mm Exhaust which are good to use" Just wondering, but my manual has .10 - .40 inlet valve, and .40 - .70 exhaust. So when I adjusted the valves I split the difference in both of these ranges, that is to say .25 inlet and .60 exhaust. Are these figures wrong? 1980 cx 500 c... motor, the rest is all chopped up!! "I don't know about you, but I take comfort in that. Knowing he's out there, The Dude, takin er easy for all us sinners"    Report

05-28-2010, 3:22 AM spanish bandit Joined on 02-12-2009 southern spain Posts 5,010 Re: How to adjust tappets and cam chain.  Frenchified wrote: Um, you wrote "Metric values are 0.10mm Inlet and 0.12mm Exhaust which are good to use" Just wondering, but my manual has .10 - .40 inlet valve, and .40 - .70 exhaust. So when I adjusted the valves I split the difference in both of these ranges, that is to say .25 inlet and .60 exhaust. Are these figures wrong? i think this is correct............ inlet valves...............0.08mm exhaust valves..........0.10mm when i feel the need,i do it,llego,ve 60,s ----------------------------- 2008.1982 honda gli silverwing [uk model ] 2010.1981 honda gli silverwing [uk model ]    Report

05-28-2010, 4:48 AM Shep Joined on 01-30-2007 UK.2x1980CX500A Posts 7,647 Re: How to adjust tappets and cam chain. The metric values are rounded up or so to speak.The imperial values are more accurate.There is always a little leniency in all tappet gap values and just err to the large gap.If you correctly redress your tappets you will get a more accurate gap setting, http://www.sheppola.karoo.net/TwistedTwin/TappetsDressing.htm and a quieter engine. My Music http://www.reverbnation.com/pauldouglas/ Join Just In Case :) http://globalcxglvtwins.hostingdelivered.com/ Id quot circumiret, circumveniat    Report

05-28-2010, 5:42 AM Scrappyike Joined on 03-25-2010 Painesville, OH Posts 95 Re: How to adjust tappets and cam chain. How can you tell it is a worn out chain? I'm looking at the pictured chain and cannot tell. American by birth, TEXAN by the grace of God! 1982 GL500i 2008 CMX250 Rebel (1st bike)    Report

05-28-2010, 5:46 AM spanish bandit Joined on 02-12-2009 southern spain Posts 5,010 Re: How to adjust tappets and cam chain.  Scrappyike wrote: How can you tell it is a worn out chain? I'm looking at the pictured chain and cannot tell. if you are looking at my pictures,2 things 1/the auto adjuster is out over an inch 2/ look at the angle the chain leaving[to the right] the top sproket makes,compare the two when i feel the need,i do it,llego,ve 60,s ----------------------------- 2008.1982 honda gli silverwing [uk model ] 2010.1981 honda gli silverwing [uk model ]    Report

05-28-2010, 5:54 AM Sture (in Sweden) Joined on 03-13-2006 Lund, SWEDEN, born -41 Posts 911 Re: How to adjust tappets and cam chain. The metric values are rounded up or so to speak.The imperial values are more accurate. Why?? Isn´t Japan a "metric" coiuntry? If so, why would they bother translating to imperial for exactness and then round it off to metric? Just wondering Sture Honda CX 500 (B) x 4. Honda CB 400 N (C) Superdream -82. M´lady´s learner bike. Yamaha SRX 600 -86. Project, currently in wait mode. PAV 40, Czech single-wheel bike trailer. Project with many stand-stills.    Report

05-28-2010, 7:22 AM Thorivola Joined on 10-07-2009 Madison/Milwaukee, WI Posts 68 Re: How to adjust tappets and cam chain. imperial was the standard for automotive for a long time the way it worked out was, yes stuff may have metric threads (diameter and pitch) but the lengths were all still measured in imperial so you would have .5 inches of thread on an M12x1.25 that is just how it was for a long time Current bikes: 2004 Buell XB12R Firebolt 1979 Honda CX500 Deluxe Old bikes/previous rebuilds: 1987 CBR600F Hurricane 1982 CB650    Report

05-28-2010, 9:34 AM Blindstitch Joined on 03-14-2009 Greenfield Wisconsin Posts 9,863 Re: How to adjust tappets and cam chain.  Scrappyike wrote: How can you tell it is a worn out chain? I'm looking at the pictured chain and cannot tell. You can tell it's worn out because it is at the end of its slot on the right side. When you fit a new one all the slack will be on the right. Then with use it will move to the left side with adjustments. If the engine isn't dropped and you want to check it out you need a dental mirror and flash light. If you see this then it's dead. If you cant see the slot or only a little slot you are good to keep going till it reaches the area of the picture below. And yes I added this to the quick reference. 1979 CX500 Supertanker ATGATT makes riding a bike like a sled easier. Quick Reference    Report

05-29-2010, 10:35 PM vern401 Joined on 05-23-2010 Vass, NC Posts 197 Re: How to adjust tappets and cam chain. This is the took I use to hold the tappet end as I turn the nut with a wrench. Is tool made from a Deck Screw? 79 CX500 Custom 72 SL350 K2 78 CB750F 91 Kawasaki ZX600C4    Report

05-30-2010, 6:44 AM Blindstitch Joined on 03-14-2009 Greenfield Wisconsin Posts 9,863 Re: How to adjust tappets and cam chain.  vern401 wrote: This is the took I use to hold the tappet end as I turn the nut with a wrench. Is tool made from a Deck Screw? Depending on which country you are in the answer is yes. I cant remember which number it is but it's a robertson screw or what ever they call the square head screws. There is a special honda took for the job but it costs $20-30. I cant quite remember. This is the part number. 07708 0030400 1979 CX500 Supertanker ATGATT makes riding a bike like a sled easier. Quick Reference    Report

05-30-2010, 2:51 PM vern401 Joined on 05-23-2010 Vass, NC Posts 197 Re: How to adjust tappets and cam chain. Thats good to know. I'm a back Yard Mechanic and if I ccan make a tool cheeper than buying it I will. I will be adjusting my tappits soon and will take the time to make the tool for it since I have no intension of selling my CX. 79 CX500 Custom 72 SL350 K2 78 CB750F 91 Kawasaki ZX600C4    Report

05-30-2010, 5:03 PM Scrappyike Joined on 03-25-2010 Painesville, OH Posts 95 Re: How to adjust tappets and cam chain. Now I know what to look for. Thanks for the explanations on how to tell if the chain is worn. ADDED NOTE: I took a looksie and could not see the slot so I take it that it is good. I was concerned because I went on a ride yesterday and we rode through a paved road that was bumpy as heck and I had to stand up on the bike to ride through it. Needless to say, the engine sounded kinda 'funky' after that. Sounded same today and I now found a leak coming out of the seal that houses the clutch. The bolts were not tight. I could do a 1/2 turn until it did get tight. ???? It was not leaking before. Oil level was good. I will ride tomorrow and see. Anyway, the test ride tonight sounded better. American by birth, TEXAN by the grace of God! 1982 GL500i 2008 CMX250 Rebel (1st bike)    Report

05-30-2010, 7:12 PM Blindstitch Joined on 03-14-2009 Greenfield Wisconsin Posts 9,863 Re: How to adjust tappets and cam chain. If you don't see your slot then you have at least half life left. I would still take the time and adjust the cam chain so you know it's done and the torque speck on the clutch cover is about 8 pounds. The gaskets cost about $7 and are easy to make. If you're leaking I would replace it. 1979 CX500 Supertanker ATGATT makes riding a bike like a sled easier. Quick Reference    Report

05-31-2010, 12:38 PM Scrappyike Joined on 03-25-2010 Painesville, OH Posts 95 Re: How to adjust tappets and cam chain. I should have measured the tightness but just did about 1/8 of a turn and it got tight. Will check it though. I did go ahead and adjusted the Cam chain so it should be good. Did sound better. American by birth, TEXAN by the grace of God! 1982 GL500i 2008 CMX250 Rebel (1st bike)    Report

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