[81cx500c]

Hey everybody, I recently took off the cooling fan on my 81 cx 500 custom in an effort to change the leaking seal behind it; only to find there is a snug fit (a rubber seal on the outside of the cam shaft) that that is preventing me from getting the cam shaft cover off to replace the seal. any suggestions?



thanks

 

[kingston73]

That front cam cover is a pretty tight fit in the block.  Once you've removed all the bolts, it might help to gently tap it side to side with a rubber mallet to get it started.  You might also try rotating the engine using the 17 mm bolt below the cover, at some engine rotations there is pressure on that cover that makes it tough to remove or put back in.  If you're replacing the gasket than it doesn't matter if you rip it as you take it off, its delicate so you should plan on replacing it anyway.

 

[Blindstitch]

Double

 

[Blindstitch]

Taking the bolts out along with tach cable and then tapping all around the cover. If that doesn't work then some light prying with a screwdriver should work. But the cover has an area that inserts into the engine a bit so it's not going to be the easiest thing to remove and then install again.



Rotating the engine is always a good suggestion.

 

[81cx500c]

thanks guys; I'll give it a try

 

[Cobram]

Be very careful if you're going to use a screwdriver, I'd suggest a wide prybar, better yet, two, well balanced pry points. Tap it with a piece of wood or a rubber mallet clockwise and counter clockwise to get it moving. It's got a big round boss which goes into the engine very tightly (nice piece of engineering), once you start it moving back and forth then you can apply a little pressure pulling on it and it'll come out slow but sure. I bought a parts bike, and this part was broken in half from prying on it too hard, if it feels like it's cocked, knock it back and try again, don't keep prying.

 

[81cx500c]

is it neccessary to disconnect the tach cable?; I just rounded the teeth in the screw trying to take it out.



thanks

 

[marshallf3]

Me thinks, from the occasional mention I've seen of people having trouble removing that screw, that a hand impact driver that you strike with a hammer may be in order.



I've got a nice Snap-On one at home but the cheap Harbor Freight one I keep at work seems to do the job almost as well.



It takes a bit of practice getting used to using a hand impact but once you've mastered holding it in alignment and starting out with light taps I've broken many a screw loose that refused to respond to other methods.

 

[DaveF]

It's a good idea to replace the tachometer cable retention screw with one that has an Allen head. This will make replacement of the tachometer cable much easier in the future. Now is the time to do it while access is easy.

 

[bear351c]

It's a good idea to replace the tachometer cable retention screw with one that has an Allen head. This will make replacement of the tachometer cable much easier in the future. Now is the time to do it while access is easy.

As Meatloaf once said..."you took the words right outta ma mouth" +1. Do same with the ones on carbs, too.

 

[81cx500c]

Thanks guys, I want to report that the cam shaft seal has yeilded to meand been changed like a dirty diaper (quick and painless), much thanks to everybody who helped, couldn't have done it without you.