[MikeCMP]

Hello,

I was just putting my bike back together, and decided to adjust the tappets while I was at it. To make a long story short, I loosened the cam chain tensioner bolt and rotated the engine, since I understood that it might help loosen up a stuck tensioner arm. Well, put it back together, and the bike ran for a bit, then seized. I can turn the engine a little by hand, but sometimes not all the way around, d=seems to depend on direction.



Anyone have a clue what is wrong? All the fluids are in the bike, oil is fine, ran fine the other day. I know it has something to do with what I just did, please help

Do I need to pull the engine?



Mike

 

[MikeCMP]

chain might have gotten so loose it wrapped around itself.



I had a CB360 do that but i think that was because the chain on it busted.



Did it make a loud ticking sound while it was running. Almost like a chatter?

It seemed to make about the same or maybe as little more noise than usual - I don't remember the chain being long enough to wrap around it self. I was thinking something similar though.



Does this sound like an engine out job to fix?



Mike

 

[MikeCMP]

It ran long enough to warm up a bit - it won't turn all the way round now. I took the fairing and some other stuff off and am going to take it over to my dad's house later to drop the engine and check the valves and chain.



Thanks for all the replies. I knew I should have left it alone, but you never know could have happened anytime I guess. Hopefully it is just the cam chain acting up.



Mike

 

[MikeCMP]

Still taking it apart - one question though, could it be the starter clutch? I was spinning the engine both ways, could I fragged the starter clutch.



Have the headers off and the exhaust valves look good so far.

Mike

 

[MikeCMP]

OK,

So, found the problem its actually incredible - I couldn't check the pistons, as the motor wouldn't move enough to let me inspect them fully.



Took the rear cover off, couldn't find anything binding it up, and started to get a bit worried. So, I tok the cam chain cover off, and guess what pops out? A ball bearing. I think it was from the steering stem... it must have bounced in there through the inspection port cover, I guess. When the engine was running it must have worked its way into near the cam chain.



Got rid of the ball, and like magic the engine spins free. Problem is that now I need a rear cover gasket, I was supposed to be going on a 4 day motorcycle ride this weekend, so I need to find a gasket close by or get one overnighted to me. Anyone know of a place that has them and does rush shipping?





Mike

 

[MikeCMP]

I guess I am a little puzzled as to how a ball bearing from the steering stem could get inside the engine through the inspection port. That would need to be one hell of a bounce. I would also think that getting jammed inside the engine could possibly cause some other damage. Hmmmmmm BillRod

I can understand why it would seem puzzling - I actually did the steering bearings yesterday, and did the cam adjustment / tappet check today. Only thing I can think, is that when the balls spilled out of the steering head, some must have landed back somewhere, where they got jostled and fell into the open port.



Funny thing is, I was just going to go for a ride instead of mess with the tappets, but figured the engine was cold so why not.....



What are the frickin chances of a BB going into that port anyway?? I mean come on...



I prefer the honda gasket for the rear case, I had an aftermarket one that didn't hold up, the honda ones seem to hold up well. Last time I tried to cut one it didn't work out all the well for me either, ended up leaking on me.



Mike

 

[MikeCMP]

Mike do you have children out by your work area. From a kids perspective, I can see that little ball bearing on the floor and picking it up looking somewhere to put. Ah ha Daddys engine. Dtrops it in. There all bettr. lmao. Its just a possibility with children.



Well you need to get that bearing back up in the steering stem. That is if it isn't square now.



Glad you found the problem.

I do have a little one, she would have helped me if she was around, but the BB's helped themselves this time.



I replaced the steering bearings with a set of tapered bearings, so the little balls aren't needed anymore.



Mike

 

[MikeCMP]

Did you end up with 37 bb's or just throw them out before counting?

Threw them out, of course

I agree about the kids - this evening when I was putting on the new shocks, my daughter ran over said "tewls" grabbed a deep well socket and scampered off (she is 18 months old)



Gasket should be here tomorrow, so hopefully I can get the bike back together for my weekend trip.



Mike

 

[MikeCMP]

Thanks for all the help everyone. Got the bike put back together this evening and it runs just fine. Unbelievable how much trouble one little ball bearing caused.



I'll have to get used to how the handling goes now, since the shocks are new, and ride a bit higher, plus, the steering seems a lots moother, and a little loose, but I will just adjust it as the bearings fully seat in, since I understand it is common to have to adjust them after the first 100 miles or so. I think I got used to the steering having the detent, so I will just have to adjust to the smooth new bearings.



Oh, and finally I re-installed my electric fan - Thanks to Shep for the thermal switch. I wired in a manual override, but the temp switch Shep mailed me works like a charm. I had to take the electric fan last time I did the mod, as it was before I replaced my stator, and the bike couldn't handle the extra load.



Again thanks everyone!



Mike

 

[MikeCMP]

I succesfully rode the bike about 15 miles last night on the bumpiest roads I could find, no trouble.



Road in to work today and also had a nice perfect run.



I'm pretty sure that was the only BB in there. Everything was all lined up (Cam chain didn't jump any teeth or anything) but I re-checked all the critical stuff before buttoning up the engine again.



Mike