I have to say the Honda shop manual for a 2008 TRX420FE Rancher is less than helpful here. It’s pictures in Chapter Nine go from nothing straight to the front cover already removed and the chain exposed.
This engine on a bike belonging to my neighbor only has about 210 hours and 384 miles on it and was brought to me to fix. The engine had no compression, two bent valves and very slightly needed to be bored to the first oversize. The combustion chamber was very dirty and we thought the valves got stuck open because the spring could not close the valves due to grime in the valve guides. But now it appears that the engine jumped timing for some reason.
So the top end is all back on and I bump pulled the engine through in fifth gear and it binds up with the "F" mark visible through the inspection port. Fortunately, I was smart enough to not hit the starter button so I think the new valves should still be good . . . not bent.
First Question – Can I tip the front of the bike up and get to the timing chain by removing the front engine cover WITHOUT taking the entire motor out??? I’d really rather NOT yank this entire motor out if I don’t have to.
Second Question – must the cylinder be removed to remove the front cover? The book indicates that the cylinder needs to be removed but I cannot see why that should be necessary. The pictures and explanation in this book are not the best.
I’m headed to YouTube next to see if any of you have explained this better there.
Many thanks,
Rick
