Highwayace
New Member
Hi everyone,
I am working on a CB450K4 and run into a bit of a puzzle regarding the camshaft timing. According to many general resources, there should be clear timing lines on the camshafts. However, on my shafts, I cannot find any lines at all—only punched dots (as seen in the attached pictures).
Before posting here, I did some research. I checked the Factory Service Manual (FSM), but the illustration is quite grainy and vague; it looks like it might depict a line, but it is hard to say for sure. I also asked about this in an older group and on the Facebook Honda Twins group. The feedback there fell into three categories:
"Check the manual" (which, as mentioned, wasn't definitive).
"Yes, they are timing marks" (some members shared photos of their own camshafts which featured a clear dot).
"Maybe, maybe not."
Since this forum is known for its deep expertise on these vintage twins, I wanted to ask here for a more definitive answer: Are these punched dots indeed the official timing marks on certain production runs of these camshafts, or should I keep hunting for hidden lines?
Any insights or validation from someone who has run into these same dot-marked shafts during a rebuild would be greatly appreciated.
I'm not completely sure whether my bike should be classified as a K3 or a K4. The frame and engine numbers indicate that the bike was originally built in 1969, but many parts on it are clearly from later K‑series models — for example the newer‑style fuel tank and the front disc brake conversion.The bike was first registered in 1971, and the registration document lists it as a K4. Considering the age of the bike, it's very likely that many components have been replaced or updated over the last 55 years. I've spent this winter hunting parts from all over the world, so the restoration is definitely a mix of different K‑series generations.
Thank you in advance for your help!
BR Ilkka, Jyvaskyla, Finland
I am working on a CB450K4 and run into a bit of a puzzle regarding the camshaft timing. According to many general resources, there should be clear timing lines on the camshafts. However, on my shafts, I cannot find any lines at all—only punched dots (as seen in the attached pictures).
Before posting here, I did some research. I checked the Factory Service Manual (FSM), but the illustration is quite grainy and vague; it looks like it might depict a line, but it is hard to say for sure. I also asked about this in an older group and on the Facebook Honda Twins group. The feedback there fell into three categories:
"Check the manual" (which, as mentioned, wasn't definitive).
"Yes, they are timing marks" (some members shared photos of their own camshafts which featured a clear dot).
"Maybe, maybe not."
Since this forum is known for its deep expertise on these vintage twins, I wanted to ask here for a more definitive answer: Are these punched dots indeed the official timing marks on certain production runs of these camshafts, or should I keep hunting for hidden lines?
Any insights or validation from someone who has run into these same dot-marked shafts during a rebuild would be greatly appreciated.
I'm not completely sure whether my bike should be classified as a K3 or a K4. The frame and engine numbers indicate that the bike was originally built in 1969, but many parts on it are clearly from later K‑series models — for example the newer‑style fuel tank and the front disc brake conversion.The bike was first registered in 1971, and the registration document lists it as a K4. Considering the age of the bike, it's very likely that many components have been replaced or updated over the last 55 years. I've spent this winter hunting parts from all over the world, so the restoration is definitely a mix of different K‑series generations.
Thank you in advance for your help!
BR Ilkka, Jyvaskyla, Finland
