Motorcycle Repair: 1979 Honda CB750k, broken cam adjust screw!, 1979 honda cb750k, sorry alex

Question
Hello Rich, i was currently working on my 79 honda cb750k and when i was turning the adjusting cam screw in front of the motor, the head broke off the bolt and even broke the casing holding the screw in.  So now there is a small little screw sticking out of the front of the engine horizontally. Can i still use that little screw to adjust the cams?  I have the valve covers off now and was wondering can i adjust them manually by taking the main caps off and turning the cam by hand? SECONDLY i have oil squirting out of the front of the engine where that cam adjustment is so i cleaned it really well and tack welded the wholes closed.  Any help on this situation would be great!

thanks
alex

Answer
Sorry Alex, we lost our Internet access when the tower was struck by lightning during the storm in central IL last week.  I'm having a little difficulty with your explanation.  The valves have shims to adjust the valve clearance.  I think you're referring to the cam chain adjustment.  There's a pinch bolt that you have to loosen and then retighten to let the spring apply the right tension to the cam chain.  There's one in the front of the engine and another on the back of the cylinder block.

Is the engine quiet?  If it is, you're done.  You won't be able to adjust the cam chain without replacing those parts including the cylinder head if that is the casing you were referring to. Someday the cam chain is going to need adjustment and you'll have to deal with this problem. I've seen a number of these situations where someone cranked down on that pinch bolt and it breaks off when you try to loosen it up.  As long as it's still tight and the engine is quiet, it will probably work okay until the cam chain needs adjustment.  If the cam chain is noisy, you should take care of it now. The cam chain can start rubbing on the cylinders and fill the engine with aluminum flakes.   

Sorry
Rich