Re: '81 CB750C Basket Case
Turned my attention back to the engine, specifically the cylinder head. A while back I had disassembled it down to just the valves in place and gave it a good bath in the parts washer. With quite a bit of reading here I was trying to decide the best valve spring compressor to get. Didn't want to spent close to $70 if I didn't have to so searched for a DIY idea.
In the past I had welded up some steel rods and washers to use my C-clamp..
...but it was too large to fit inside the recess where the springs and buckets reside. I was also worried about marring up the aluminum bore.
Searchin
www.CB750C.com I saw where a 35mm film canister was used to protect it. But I haven't see one of those in a decade! Then I found where a member
Frank had my solution and located some scrap 3/4" PVC pipe I had that was just the right diameter.
Cut a notch in a small piece and I had my adapter...
In the past I was also worried about marring the face of the valve and had found a pop bottle screw on cap fits the pivot foot of the C-clamp. So now I was all set.
With the cylinder head blocked on its side, I gave it a test and badda-bing badda-boom it worked like a charm. Very easily compressing the springs.
Used the notched section to reach in with my magnet and out came the keepers and with the notch about a 1/4 of the diameter I had enough room to work.
This little tool is friggin slick! The only real additional input I'd give is to make sure you get the length right. You want it and the notch long enough so you still have room to work when compressed, but short enough to give you some slack once the spring tension is completely released. Also, when you use it, to put the "window" opposite of the cam journal adjacent to that valve to give you the most room to work. Next, be sure once you have the springs out be sure to remove BOTH of the steel seats. Most could be pulled out with my magnet, but a couple were held in by the surface tension of the oil under them. Put the magnet back in and using a rubber tipped blow gun and a quick blast of air loosened them so my magnet could grab them. PIECE-O-CAKE!