CBR650F Replacing alternator cover advice

[mabo86]

Hi,

This is my first post here and apologies if this has already been asked but didn't seem it. Recently I had my first low side and wasn't too major, just a few scratched fairings and alternator cover. Thankfully no damage to me either 😂, though I did put a small hole in my new riding jeans which I'll probably have to patch up somehow.

I just have a few questions that someone would hopefully be able to answer about replacing the alternator cover on a 2018 CBR650F. I've looked through the service manual already so I think I've got a somewhat good idea of what I need to do, but I'm wondering, is it possible to do this without draining the oil? I've heard from a few people that it is possible to just lean the bike over on its right hand side and go from there. I recently got it service about a month ago and they changed the oil then, so it's not like it is time to replace the oil. Would you advise leaving the oil in or not?

Another question, how long should I wait for the sealant to cure? It says on the datasheet about 3mm/day so roughly a day? Can I fill it up with oil in this time/lean the bike back up if its fine to leave the oil in?

Is there anything else besides what is mentioned in the service manual that I should be worried about when doing this service?

Thanks in advance for the help and apologies if these seem like basic questions, I just want to make sure I get it right the first time and save myself more effort down the line.

Cheers.

 

[Brammers]

I've done this. Well, specifically I've replaced the sealant there due to a leak.

If you've read the service manual, you already know the answers as they are on page 12-3

But for those googling...

No, you don't have to drain the oil, but some will dribble out - so be ready to catch it in something (and have oil available to top up afterwards).

The thickness of the seal is small and oil pressure on it it none. I left it overnight to be safe but the threebond does cure quickly.

Just make sure everything is cleaned up good and and old sealant removed using a wooden scraper of some kind so you don't damage the engine. I used a cut coffee stirrer and isopropol alcohol.

Once the oil is done dribbling out, I used kitchen towel to dry the area, just leave the bike like that overnight before topping up the oil.

Don't forget to transfer the two alignment dowels to the new cover!

J

 

[mabo86]

Thanks for the reply, very helpful!

Just to clarify, when you say oil will dribble out, is that with the bike upright or leaned over? So I assume that leaning it over is not necessary then and I just can do it upright and top up oil afterwards?

Also, I noticed in the service manual that the alternator wire clamp bolt has thread locker, any tips for removing this without damaging it?

Cheers.

 

[Brammers]

Upright, not on the side-stand! That'd get messy. If this is your only option, buy 3L of oil and drain the engine first.

I use an Abba Stand for work like this as it keeps the bike dead vertical.

The bolt is a Hex socket by the looks ... just use a good (not worn) driver and gently apply more torque until it gives. It's only going to need loctite blue or similar, not the hard stuff.

J

 

[mabo86]

Thanks for your reply, I think I might need to invest in a stand for this one.
However, would leaning the bike completely over on its right side prevent any oil leaking out? Or is this not recommended?

Thanks.

 

[Brammers]

It would, people have done it - just make sure there's plenty of padding available!

If you have some support "overhead" - such as a roof joist etc., a length of rope tied to the handlbar grips and over the joist can become a "stand". Make sure the knots are secure!

J

 

[Brammers]

Or, for $30 on oil ... just drain it first and go again!

Less recommended, but if you're careful and use a very clean container you could drain the oil and re-use it.

J

 

[mabo86]

Thanks a bunch for all the advice, it has been incredibly helpful.

I was actually thinking of that exact idea of using rope to tie the handlebars to keep it upright, it might be a method to consider, just have to see if I can make it work in my garage somehow.

Cheers.

 

[miweber929]

You’re going to lose so little oil I wouldn’t worry about it too much. @Brammers is saying what’s in the area will dribble out, not that it will keep draining. The oil pan is lower than the alternator area.

Don’t make it more daunting than it it.

The one BIG piece of advice for you on the project is to take a picture of the pickup sensor you remove from the old cover and put into the new cover and be 100% sure you put it back in right. The way it seems like it should go, and the way it does go, are two different ways and this, and other Honda forums, are littered with bikes that don’t start after the cover work because they put the sensor in upside down and you have to do the whole thing again.

You have been warned, lol!!!

 

[Atucker]

I did it on the side stand and had zero loss of oil. I moved the bike into position the night before and swapped it while cold to ensure the case was a dry as possible. The only difficult part was getting the clutch release arm into the correction position when putting the new crank case cover on. Took me 2-3 tries before I realized the arm had to be tensioned partially to allow the case to seat. Overall, this is a really basic operation if you take your time.

 

[mabo86]

@miweber929 I'll keep that in mind. Are you talking about the clutch side cover? I didn't see anything in the service manual that mentioned anything about any sensors for the left hand side alternator cover (the one I'll be changing). I did see however that it mentions to disconnect the CKP sensor (is this what you are mentioning) when doing the right side crankcase cover. Either way I'll take pictures of everything I do to ensure that everything goes back the right way.

A @Atucker I'm glad to hear that it went well for you! I think you are talking about the right side cover opposed to the one I'm changing on the left, so it might be slightly different for me, at least I shouldn't need to deal with the clutch though!

 

[Brammers]

Yeah, there's a terminology issue. The alternator cover (left hand side as you sit on the bike) doesn't have any sensors in it. That said, @miweber929 has sound advice about taking pictures before/as you undo any bolts and screws, then you can retrace your steps with ease.

A @Atucker is talking about the right hand side (clutch/crankcase), which would be OK on side-stand as it's on the "up side" of the lean.

Just follow the service manual, it isn't hard if you take your time. Rush it, and you'll be doing it twice.

I recommend using the Threebond 1207B (I think?) sealant - which is the OEM stuff. Again, this is listed in the manual.

J

 

[mabo86]

Yeah, I'll definitely be taking photos of what I do, doesn't hurt to and makes the reinstalling process easier. I'll also be taking my time with it as like you said, I'll just end up likely doing it twice.

Yeah I got the Threebond TB1207B which just came in the mail today. Now just waiting on the parts for the new cover and cowls and the thread locker then I'm good to go!

Thanks again everyone for the help.

 

[Brammers]

So long as that's blue threadlock!

Good luck!

 

[mabo86]

Thanks!

I bought the Threebond TB1322 which is the one the service manual recommends to use for the alternator wire clamp bolt.

 

[vinci127]

Hi all, I have my CB650R since October but also unfortunately got some scratches on the alternator cover in February when I dropped it to the left side. I found the service manual somewhere here for my 2022 and I think I can change the cover myself but what makes me wonder are the steps after the change itself and I can't find any reference for it anywhere.
Page 12-4 the note in the service manual for 2021/2022 models says:

"ED, IIED, IIIED, IVED, FO, IIFO, KO, IIKO models:
Perform the crank pulse initialize learning procedure
(page 4-84)."
This passage is not in the 2019/2020 service manuel.

As I have bought the motorcycle in Germany, ED for European Direct Sales would fit my model.


On page 4-84 the procedure is described:

Did anyone need to apply this procedure and has some experience with it? Seems not that difficult, it's just strange that I can't find any reference for it.
Is the SCS short connector a part I also would need to buy or is it under the seat?

Thanks
Vince

 

[dz177]

I've just replaced the cover and as per instruction did the crank reset and learning procedures. Only reset worked but now I'm getting error P0315 crank position is not learned.

I tried to do the learning procedure many times but unsuccessfully. It is still not learned.

Any advice? Please help.