Thank you VERY much for a truly informative video. I looked for SIX hours online with no luck in finding this procedure. I did a search on YT and......your vid came up as number 1 on the list and showed EXACTLY what I needed to know. Great vid !!!
Unless you're a motorcycle mechanic, that cam chain tension adjustment is the #1 overlooked maintenance item on a motorcycle engine. Thanks for sharing Zip!
I picked a complete 350f engine from the ally heap at my local scrap yard for $30. It's firing but not starting as yet but making headway.thanks for the info, I'll tension it in the morning! Good to see someone's got a steady camera too.
These engines and the 400's were famous for that cam chain tensioner setup getting bound up and people not being able to adjust out the slop. Got one myself I took apart 30+ years ago to put in a new cam chain and tensioner 'horseshoe' and just now getting it back together. You have to split the case to do it. Those little bikes were pretty sweet running machines. That one you had there was a good looking unit @ZippoVarga.
I still own the bike Erik. So far, with just a tick over 11,000 miles. And, fingers crossed, the tensioner will continue to behave with my yearly tune ups. I also just picked up a 1975 CB550F. I posted a video recently an the pair. Thanks for the heads up!! Cheers!! Zip~
G'day again! I finally got my 350f engine running sweet. After what seemed repeated condenser failures, forum searches told me that attaching points/condenser wires can cause intermittent earthing if not very careful. Sounds almost too cool to sell. Have since picked 2 yammies from the same scrapyard- a 1980 dt125 and a 1983 xt250 twincam. Both run well and the xt is a super low build number ( 000174) so a bit of a novelty.
I'm amazed at the popularity of The Bill. I can't go anywhere without someone stopping me to talk about it. I just found a 1973 Harley Davidson Aermacchi 350 ss basket case that I may pick up to turn into a Cafe Racer. We'll see how that goes. I bet Karen is SO ready to get out on her new bike! Cheers Brother! Zip~
A company in England is reprinting the spiral bound factory repair manual; found them on ebay. The hardest job so far was the tires! If you replace the fuel hoses, get genuine Honda 5.5mm
FYI! According to both the Clymer & Honda factory shop manuals, the procedure in this video applies only to the 500 & 550. The 350 & 400 are adjusted running at idle! Keeping in mind that with the 350/400 the adjustment is on the TRAILING (slack) side of the chain, whereas on the 500/550 the adjuster is on the LEADING (taught) side of the chain.
Hi, tried setting the tensioner this morning and the lock bolt and nut weren't even there! I soon found suitable replacements then started on setting my points and timing. A few kicks later it started and ran smooth at low revs only- would just die if I tried revving even using choke too. After surfing the forums, I figured the advance was stuck off so removed it- it was. Freed up, replaced and now I wait til morning again to fire it up. I never get sick of playing Honda!
Ross, you've got a great and desired engine on your hands! I would venture a guess that your idle jets are nice and clean but you possibly need to clean the main jets. If you haven't already gone through the carburetors and it started for you, I think once you drop the fuel bowls and clean things up you'll be able to then synchronize them and have an engine ready for a bike! Super sweet find for just $30!! Cheers! And keep us posted on the little engine's progress Zip~
@ZippoVarga Just got an old 350f and found your video. Very nice explanation, but how do you make the cam chain adjustment without burning the sheista out of your hands on the exhaust pipes?
I had the adjuster out so I could make sure I was covered. Not making a claim. I also wanted to get Clifford and The Bill insured as collectible vehicles through Hagarty insurance. It's a nightmare trying to make a claim on anything with age on it that has collector values through a conventional insurance company policy. Been there....It ended in my favor, but not without having to jump through more hoops than at a circus performance lol. Cheers Sir Moto! Let us know how the adjustment goes! Zip~
Yep...once they hit 25 years old here, they start appreciating, and most insurance companies just see it as an old vehicle. Hagarty, recognizes classics and antiques and insures them appropriately, and...it's CHEAPER! With 4 vehicles insured, I'll take any break I can get. It's not bad really...a little less than 1200 US a year for all 4. Cheers Bruce! Sean~
The honda manual says to adjust with engine running at 1200rpms. Is that still an acceptable way to do this? I am learning as I picked up a 350f earlier this summer and have been going through it. It runs great, just a lil chain noise and I'm not sure what is acceptable. Also, slight seeping from the tensioner bolt. Is it ok to back this bolt all the way out to put on a new seal? Thanks for the video, helps alot to see someone doing the adjustments!!
That's what i saw on another video adjust while running, thought about trying this way first but if your info direct from Honda manual i guess that's the correct way ?
Yes; keep in mind that with the 350/400 the adjustment is on the TRAILING side of the chain, whereas on the 500/550 the adjuster is on the LEADING side of the chain.
Thank you VERY much for a truly informative video. I looked for SIX hours online with no luck in finding this procedure. I did a search on YT and......your vid came up as number 1 on the list and showed EXACTLY what I needed to know. Great vid !!!
I'm so glad you found it! Zip~
Unless you're a motorcycle mechanic, that cam chain tension adjustment is the #1 overlooked maintenance item on a motorcycle engine. Thanks for sharing Zip!
I picked a complete 350f engine from the ally heap at my local scrap yard for $30. It's firing but not starting as yet but making headway.thanks for the info, I'll tension it in the morning! Good to see someone's got a steady camera too.
These engines and the 400's were famous for that cam chain tensioner setup getting bound up and people not being able to adjust out the slop. Got one myself I took apart 30+ years ago to put in a new cam chain and tensioner 'horseshoe' and just now getting it back together. You have to split the case to do it. Those little bikes were pretty sweet running machines. That one you had there was a good looking unit @ZippoVarga.
I still own the bike Erik. So far, with just a tick over 11,000 miles. And, fingers crossed, the tensioner will continue to behave with my yearly tune ups. I also just picked up a 1975 CB550F. I posted a video recently an the pair. Thanks for the heads up!! Cheers!! Zip~
G'day again! I finally got my 350f engine running sweet. After what seemed repeated condenser failures, forum searches told me that attaching points/condenser wires can cause intermittent earthing if not very careful. Sounds almost too cool to sell. Have since picked 2 yammies from the same scrapyard- a 1980 dt125 and a 1983 xt250 twincam. Both run well and the xt is a super low build number ( 000174) so a bit of a novelty.
That looks a LOT like mine. I downloaded a manual. I'm going to give it a try. Man does that sound nice!
I'm amazed at the popularity of The Bill. I can't go anywhere without someone stopping me to talk about it. I just found a 1973 Harley Davidson Aermacchi 350 ss basket case that I may pick up to turn into a Cafe Racer. We'll see how that goes. I bet Karen is SO ready to get out on her new bike! Cheers Brother! Zip~
A company in England is reprinting the spiral bound factory repair manual; found them on ebay. The hardest job so far was the tires! If you replace the fuel hoses, get genuine Honda 5.5mm
FYI! According to both the Clymer & Honda factory shop manuals, the procedure in this video applies only to the 500 & 550. The 350 & 400 are adjusted running at idle! Keeping in mind that with the 350/400 the adjustment is on the TRAILING (slack) side of the chain, whereas on the 500/550 the adjuster is on the LEADING (taught) side of the chain.
Great to know Haggen! Thanks much for this! Zip~
@@ZippoVarga.....The spiral bound Honda factory shop manual is being re-printed in England; found it on ebay
Hi, tried setting the tensioner this morning and the lock bolt and nut weren't even there! I soon found suitable replacements then started on setting my points and timing. A few kicks later it started and ran smooth at low revs only- would just die if I tried revving even using choke too. After surfing the forums, I figured the advance was stuck off so removed it- it was. Freed up, replaced and now I wait til morning again to fire it up. I never get sick of playing Honda!
Ross, you've got a great and desired engine on your hands! I would venture a guess that your idle jets are nice and clean but you possibly need to clean the main jets. If you haven't already gone through the carburetors and it started for you, I think once you drop the fuel bowls and clean things up you'll be able to then synchronize them and have an engine ready for a bike! Super sweet find for just $30!! Cheers! And keep us posted on the little engine's progress
Zip~
Sounds wicked good nice work man
@ZippoVarga Just got an old 350f and found your video. Very nice explanation, but how do you make the cam chain adjustment without burning the sheista out of your hands on the exhaust pipes?
I like the 2 camera better
Awesome and it remind's me I have to do mine! :)
I had the adjuster out so I could make sure I was covered. Not making a claim. I also wanted to get Clifford and The Bill insured as collectible vehicles through Hagarty insurance. It's a nightmare trying to make a claim on anything with age on it that has collector values through a conventional insurance company policy. Been there....It ended in my favor, but not without having to jump through more hoops than at a circus performance lol. Cheers Sir Moto! Let us know how the adjustment goes! Zip~
That is a great idea on the Insurance. You know how nice old ZED is. You can eat off the motor. I only put 600 miles on ZED in the last 8 months.
Yep...once they hit 25 years old here, they start appreciating, and most insurance companies just see it as an old vehicle. Hagarty, recognizes classics and antiques and insures them appropriately, and...it's CHEAPER! With 4 vehicles insured, I'll take any break I can get. It's not bad really...a little less than 1200 US a year for all 4. Cheers Bruce! Sean~
Just my exhaust is floppy does the exhaust and the carb side both have to be floppy?
My cam chain bolt was backed all the way out. The cam chain jumped on the sprocket knocking my timing off.
Oh man, that's not good. I hope the engine is a non interference design and that you didn't crash the valvetrain. Cheers! Zip~
go zip go.....
The honda manual says to adjust with engine running at 1200rpms. Is that still an acceptable way to do this? I am learning as I picked up a 350f earlier this summer and have been going through it. It runs great, just a lil chain noise and I'm not sure what is acceptable. Also, slight seeping from the tensioner bolt. Is it ok to back this bolt all the way out to put on a new seal? Thanks for the video, helps alot to see someone doing the adjustments!!
That's what i saw on another video adjust while running, thought about trying this way first but if your info direct from Honda manual i guess that's the correct way ?
Yes; keep in mind that with the 350/400 the adjustment is on the TRAILING side of the chain, whereas on the 500/550 the adjuster is on the LEADING side of the chain.