Frankmowthelawn
Been Around the Block
Honda and other aftermarket suppliers want $15.00 to $25.00 for a "Special Tool" to pull the alternator on CB350 and other early motorcycles. DON"T BUY IT!!!
The Alternator is pressed onto the tapered end of the crankshaft and held in place with a Woodruff (Half Moon) Key and a retaining bolt. (Check your engine diagrams to be sure your's is tapered too!!) The inside of the hole is threaded. For a 1972 CB350K4 the hole inside the alternator is threaded 16X1.5mm. This is a standard metric fine thread and bolts that size are readily available at most well apportioned automotive specialty stores. Other bikes might be a different size so measure the threads or do like I did and ask the Forum what size it is!!
Get a 16X1.5mm bolt with about one and a quarter inches of threads. The overall length of the bolt past the threads is immaterial because the threaded portion and the part the wrench holds is all that's important. Mine was 16X1.5X60mm and cost $3.89.
Grind the threaded tip end smooth (most are kinda rough on the end) because that's the part that will be doing the work and you don't want the end of your crankshaft buggered up by a rough bolt. Thread the now smooth bolt into the alternator and when it hits the bottom hold the alternator with an automotive oil filter wrench to prevent the shaft from turning. Put the appropriate wrench (mine was 7/8") on the bolt, hold the alternator tightly with the oil filter wrench and whack the wrench with a hammer.
The alternator will pop off the end of the shaft and you saved $13.00 over the cost of a puller!!! Quick, clean and fits into your tool box better than the T-handled affair Honda recommends!!!
The Alternator is pressed onto the tapered end of the crankshaft and held in place with a Woodruff (Half Moon) Key and a retaining bolt. (Check your engine diagrams to be sure your's is tapered too!!) The inside of the hole is threaded. For a 1972 CB350K4 the hole inside the alternator is threaded 16X1.5mm. This is a standard metric fine thread and bolts that size are readily available at most well apportioned automotive specialty stores. Other bikes might be a different size so measure the threads or do like I did and ask the Forum what size it is!!
Get a 16X1.5mm bolt with about one and a quarter inches of threads. The overall length of the bolt past the threads is immaterial because the threaded portion and the part the wrench holds is all that's important. Mine was 16X1.5X60mm and cost $3.89.
Grind the threaded tip end smooth (most are kinda rough on the end) because that's the part that will be doing the work and you don't want the end of your crankshaft buggered up by a rough bolt. Thread the now smooth bolt into the alternator and when it hits the bottom hold the alternator with an automotive oil filter wrench to prevent the shaft from turning. Put the appropriate wrench (mine was 7/8") on the bolt, hold the alternator tightly with the oil filter wrench and whack the wrench with a hammer.
The alternator will pop off the end of the shaft and you saved $13.00 over the cost of a puller!!! Quick, clean and fits into your tool box better than the T-handled affair Honda recommends!!!
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