Fixing Engine Mystery Rattle ! - Honda CB250N SuperDream rebuild Part 42.

Finally I understand why my engine was rattling, and then move towards fitting indicators (Turn Signals).

[@barnbersonol]

You turn the crank over twice to achieve one turn of the cam. That's why the bottom sprocket is half the size of the top sprocket.

[@jaudicedbrow]

The camchain tensioner on the 250N is notoriously crap. Don't adjust it as per the Haynes manual - you'll end up with the chain gouging out a chunk of the cylinder head as it flails around. Rocker cover off, undo tensioner bolt, screwdriver down the back of the camchain tunnel to gently compress the tensioner, tighten tensioner bolt. Anyway, you seem to have got this one sorted and it sounds sweet. I had a Superdream back in the early 90s and thrashed it back and forth up the dual carriageway to my girlfriend's house in sun, rain and snow. Happy memories of bits of engine and carbs on my parents' dining room table...

[@RyansGarageUK]

Hi, Thank you. I can see how applying pressure to the top of the guide to take up the slack would help and maybe I should have just done that from the start. But I live and learn and I don't miss that trick next time. Ryan,

[@petermosdell580]

Glad you sorted that cam chain issue Ryan 😉 In the words of many Honda salesmen in the 80’s “they all do that sir” . While you are on the hunt for parts, see if you can track down a used original set of down pipes and collector box. In my experience the Motad 2:1 strangled the performance of the Superdream

[@RyansGarageUK]

Hi Peter, I'd love to find an original set of down pipes, but any that are in useable condition seem to cost about a quarter of what the bikes worth. Thanks Ryan

[@petermosdell580]

@@RyansGarageUK I hadn’t realised how prices have spiralled Ryan. It’s a few years since I used a Superdream to commute into London. Looking forward to see how this and your other project bike progress. Not sure where you are in the world, but it’s Kempton Park autojumble next Saturday. It’s usually a treasure trove 😉

[@RyansGarageUK]

@@petermosdell580 thank you. Don't think i could get there on this occasion. But good idea for the future.

[@robertwright4014]

Well done Ryan you can definitely see the light at the end of the tunnel and the engine definitely sounds better. A job well done and deserved for all your hard work.

[@RyansGarageUK]

Thank you Robert, I agree I feel I'm now towards the end of this journey.

[@meljones6672]

As soon as you started Flint after checking the cam chain he sounded sweet and like a superdream should. Well done 👏

[@RyansGarageUK]

Thank you Mel, it took me long enough but I'm happy to have got there in the end.

[@Paul.Gascoyneuk]

Your hard work and perseverance is paying off and Thankyou as watching your videos is giving me the push to start sorting some jobs to my own Superdream 👍👍

[@RyansGarageUK]

Thank you Kwacker, I'm glad that my efforts are encouraging you to do your own tasks. Best of luck with whatever you need to do, as these bikes do tend to make seemingly easy tasks surprisingly difficult sometimes. 😀

[@kevinpollard1550]

Love working on my 250 as well been resprayed blue . Next is engine casings to be cleaned and polished love her to bits

[@RyansGarageUK]

Hi Kevin, I've just bought a polishing kit for the casing. I've never tried that before so if you have any tips, feel free to pass them on. Thank you for your comments. Ryan

[@kevinpollard1550]

@@RyansGarageUK wish me luck

[@blademansw]

This video randomly showed up in my recommendations! Interestingly, I had a CB250N as my first big bike after I passed my test in the early 90's. Fond memories, mine had a full Rickman fairing as well :-)

[@RyansGarageUK]

Hi, Thank you for your comment. Those Rickman fairing are still occasionally available, although I doubt I'll be fitting one to this bike. Hope to be getting this on the road sometime soon. Ryan

[@timparker9235]

does sound good now Ryan - takes me back 37 years - well done

[@RyansGarageUK]

Thanks Tim, I think it now sounds like it should. 😀

[@alanscoffins3148]

Always turn the engine over in the correct direction you could cause the tensioner to move as you loaded up the blade turning the engine backwards

[@RyansGarageUK]

Thanks Alan, for the explanation why that's important.

[@seantreloar1186]

Way to go Ryan what a massive difference, and could see by your reaction how pleased you were with it, good for you buddy

[@RyansGarageUK]

Thank you Sean. As soon as it started it was a massive sense of relief. Now I'm thinking it should be on the road for sure in the near future.

[@chrisweaver3015]

Hi Ryan, Another great video mate..Glad you have the bike running better. Looking forward to the next episode.

[@RyansGarageUK]

Thank you Christian. Its certainly much better now and I'm looking forward to getting it on the road soon. 😀

[@thesoupdragonat121]

Good work!

[@RyansGarageUK]

Thank you.

[@MrSportster12]

Soon be out on it enjoying the sunshine.

[@RyansGarageUK]

Thanks Stu, I do hope so. 🤞🏻

[@bolindow176]

Good work, I am very impressed with your persistance and dedication.

[@RyansGarageUK]

Hi Bo, Thank you. I appreciate your comment. I know I have sometimes struggled with learning how to go about this right, but I feel that by trying and failing I will get there in the end. Ryan

[@RustyWrecks]

Glad you found the problem, loads of indicators on ebay, Flint has come a long way from a box of parts and whats with the Papa smurf look LOL 🤣🤣🤣

[@RyansGarageUK]

Thanks a lot Pete, I sure I can source them okay, and I agree Flints finally coming along now. 😀

[@stevegraham4336]

well done ryan it really is coming together now, cam chain adjuster can be a pain.

[@RyansGarageUK]

Thanks Steve, I didn't think it should have been tricky. But I somehow had it difficult.

[@blissisland7680]

Well done, what a relief, great channel, keep up the good work

[@RyansGarageUK]

Thank you Bliss. Glad you're enjoying my uploads. Ryan

[@1greenkeeper]

Great news 👏 well done Ryan.

[@RyansGarageUK]

Thanks Colin. 😊

[@NatsNackersYard]

Well done mate. Good job

[@RyansGarageUK]

Cheers Nat. 👍🏻

[@hotoilhands]

It seems to have been the loose cam chain. Be careful with that hold down bolt. It's not what adjusts the tension. The spring inside that pulls on half the adjuster slider is what does that. The bolt just holds it in place once the spring has pulled on the adjuster and tightened the chain. I learned this the hard way years ago when I snapped that bolt off on my CM400, had to disassemble the top end to fit a replacement hold bolt and saw how it all worked. With time the spring can weaken so a good way to tighten the chain is to slacken that bolt and push down on the top of the adjuster with a screwdriver, and retighten the bolt keeping pressure on the adjuster. I'd say your spring is not "tired" and was able to pull the adjuster properly without resorting to using a screwdriver to help it. Nice to hear the engine run now eh Ryan?

[@RyansGarageUK]

Hi Hotoil, thank you for you help, it was your earlier messages that strongly encouraged me to keep looking. It's so much better now and I'm now happy it sounds right. I do appreciate your interaction. Cheers Ryan

[@cedley1969]

Just worth mentioning that the tensioner is at the rear so you push the top of the blade down above the adjuster screw not the front blade which is fixed. Also never release the adjuster screw with the engine running as it can come off the sprockets completely.

[@peterhague5358]

Well done mate got there in the end coming together nicely, sounds like a super dream should keep going mate soon be as good as new the fev rider

[@RyansGarageUK]

Cheers Peter. It's certainly getting better now. I'm happy how it sounds so just a few more things to go.

[@stephenwalsh8184]

👍

[@matthewharmer1656]

Was a very slack chain... carbs need tuning and balancing!

[@RyansGarageUK]

Hi Matthew, I think you are correct I'm going to try to work out how I can setup the carbs as it seems a bit lazy to rev up to me.

[@specialse]

Thats the slackest superdream cam chain ive ever seen !!! cam chain should really be set with top dead centre on number one . great feeling when you adjust some thing and it makes a difference :-)

[@RyansGarageUK]

Then I'm pleased that I manged to educate you just how bad it could be. 😉 thanks for your support. Ryan

[@jimbo9310]

Great Ryan nice to see and hear it so much better. I remember when it wouldn’t start all those episodes ago and now it just starts on the button. When you set up the inlet tappets do you have to turn the engine over to top dead centre, bit unsure where to turn the engine over too so that I can set the inlets up to adjust. Going to check my tappets and cam chain tensioner having seen your video.

[@RyansGarageUK]

Hi Jim, when the engine is set to TDC,, its possible to adjust both the inlet and exhaust valves on one side. Basically set bike to tdc, see if left or right side is not under tension, set that first side and then rotate the engine once and set the other side. Hope that makes sense and good luck. I can send you a photo of the description from the Haynes manual if you either email me or Instagram me via the addresses shown on my channel details.

[@paulsimmonds2030]

If you do have to strip the paint from the tank and respray it, I think the original Honda Superdream decals would look far better. It would make the tank pop.

[@RyansGarageUK]

Hi Paul, I had already made the decision to put the decals back to standard, and I've been shopping around to find a source, they all seem to cost a little over £55, so I guess I'll have to just open my wallet a little wider. :) Ryan

[@paulsimmonds2030]

@@RyansGarageUK Wow! That’s expensive. It will all be worthwhile. I have followed your restoration from day one. The only thing extra that I would have sourced are the twin exhausts. Somehow the bike just looked more balanced with two shiny chrome exhausts. I have a special interest in your project and relish every new installment. My first ever bike was a CB250N Superdream in metallic blue, which I rode on a provisional license! Those were the days..

[@jerrygomezjr601]

What size valve "head diameters" did these 250n heads have ???

[@derekdingwall]

Wellndone curing the rattle, whats next indicators mot and runaround on it?

[@RyansGarageUK]

Hi Derek, I hope so, yes. I've hope to have indicators fairly soon. So there not much that would stop me at least trying to get it through an MOT.

[@andyshondaxlsrestorations4733]

👏👏👏👏👏👌👌👍👍😉😁

[@RyansGarageUK]

Cheers Andy. 👍🏻