So you have removed the camshaft holder, replaced the gasket/oil seal/O-ring and now it’s time to reinstall it into the front of the engine! Photos are done on a CX500/GL500 – 650 variants will not have the camshaft poking through the middle. Place the holder over the end of the camshaft;

It’s very likely that it will no longer seem to be aligned in the center!

Don’t panic – put a 17mm socket on the bolt at the end of the crankshaft directly below where you are working (see here for more detail on doing this):

As you rotate the motor the valvetrain will effectively push the camshaft slightly and you should find a point where you can push the camshaft holder in more easily:

You’ll probably find that it will slide in a short way and then bind up again; this time hold the tacho peg:

…and turn the motor over by hand again. The tacho holder should be pulled in towards the engine (or pushed back out, depending on which way you’re turning it) as you do so. Don’t force it, lest you damage the camshaft – if it doesn’t seem to be working at all take a step back and re-evaluate. Once it seats (you can see the gasket sticking up here):

650s will look like this:

…take your 8mm socket and tighten the four 6x28mm flange bolts (part number 96001-0602800 – eBay US, eBay AU
, eBay UK
, previously 96000-0602800 and 90006-413-000) to 6-9ft/lb:

All done!
