QuestionHi Bill!
Thanks for everything you're doing on this site to help us newbies and experts. I've just purchased my first bike, a '73 CB450 that is in awesome condition. Following the Clymer book procedure to adjust the cam chain, I removed off the alternator cover. To my surprise, a quart of oil spilled out. Is that normal? The book gave no forewarning of the oil spilling. My only frame of reference is car mechanics, and I've never seen a wet alternator before. Thanks! Alan
http://www.he-rod.com/Honda
AnswerAlan, All the Honda twins, after the 250-305cc series have oil cooled stators. You shouldn't have lost a whole quart of oil unless it was overfilled or not on the centerstand when you pulled the cover.
You can actually adjust the camchain by loosening the tensioner lock bolt, putting the tip of a small screwdriver in the end of the tensioner plunger and then just tapping the starter button over a few times, while you feel the tensioner rod move in and out. When it moves in as far as it can, lock the tensioner bolt in place and you are all done.
As long as the cover is off, you can check the ignition timing and the valve clearances if you have the proper equipment. Check the spark advancer for correct function, too, as they often get sticky after 30 years or so. This requires removal of the point plate under the top left side cam cover end plate. Once you remove the point plate, the ignition timing will have to be reset... max point gap .012"-.014" then move the point plate around until the points open at the F and LF marks. Do the left side first, then adjust the right side last. You may have to adjust the gap to make the right side timing come in correctly.
Once you are done with your adjustments, be sure that the bike is fully upright, unscrew the dip stick... DIP IT IN (do not screw it back in to check level) and add oil until it is at the top of the hatch marks (upper fill mark).
Try to find a real shop manual.. Ebay auctions, www.motorcyclememories.com or www.helminc.com
Bill Silver
