We get about an hour and a half into the ride however, and he pulls up next to me. Possibly to show off, but more likely to inform me of the unholy clattering noise the engine was making. He pulls off into an abandoned strip mall just outside of Homer MI (yes, it exists), I pull a U-ey and see if we can figure out what's going on.
He thinks it sounds like the bottom end. I'm guessing top end. Fortunately, in the first stroke of luck, despite the 750 being built from pieces, I somehow have the tool kit (or at least most of it). I start taking off rocker arm covers. Good....good....good....accidentally burn myself, but good....go- oh hey. Whoops.
Somehow, the no. 2 intake adjustment screw nut came loose, and the adjuster was backed out nearly all the way.
In the second bit of luck, it was NEARLY all the way out- but still hanging on by a thread. Or at least a couple. Only problem now is that I have NO idea how to reset the proper clearance- the stock CB750 tool kit doesn't include feeler gauges.Solution? Bump the starter until another intake valve is at TDC, feel how much play it's supposed to have (burning my fingers the whole time), bump it back around to loosen up 2, and, well, GUESS. And you know what?
That blasted thing ran perfect the rest of the day.
The show itself was wonderful, as always. They swapped the parking and show ground this year, which was a bit odd, but at least the show had more shade that way. And the museum was still a treat.
(That's my Valk parked next to a well-loved 1963 BSA. With a rare appearance by Yours Truly!)
Pretty good variety too. Less of the "usual" types (I had one of the few CB750s surprisingly), more of the oddball- there was a 1918 Indian with a sidecar in the Master's Class! Thankfully the ride back was uneventful, but a good enough way to end a Sunday.
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