XS1100 cam bearings / crankshaft scarring

[Dwayne "Tuffy"]

My newly aquired 1981 XS1100 Midnight Special has engine problems and I need advice. 1) Where is it possible to get new cam shaft bearings as my dealer says they are no longer available and 2) the crankshaft had a bearing turn on a connecting rod and caused some scarring. Can this scarring be machined or am I looking at replacing the crank and where could I find one? My searches so far have turned up nothing. I know some one out there can help me.

[DGXSER]

Hey Dwayne,

First, you might want to have this moved to the XS/XJ area, that is where this belongs, this area is for questions on how to use this site.

As to the engine, I am no master mechanic and do not know the answers to these questions, but have you thought about swapping engines? With that much damage, Andreas has a pretty low milage engine he could sell you that my wind up less expensive and easier than the rebuild your looking at.

[The Lorax]

Someone feel free to correct me if I am mistaken, but if I remember correctly, the only "cam bearings" in the engine are part of the camshaft. I believe that the camshaft rides in the journals sans bearings, just aluminum to camshaft. Again, I could be mistaken as it has been a couple years since I was that deep into my engine, although I will be soon as it's time to check valve clearances, but I think that's how the beast is configured. now main bearings, that's another issue, check the bay they have whole sets up for bid there semi regularly. have a nice day and ride safe

[XSPastor]

Right, Lorax. No cam bearings.

[trbig]

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but they are correct in that the cams have no bearings. Out of tolerance journals mean a replacement head is in order.

As for the crank/rod bearings, there is very little difference between the thickest and thinnest bearings and doubt I would trust that crank personally if scarred up much at all. A replacement crank shouldn't be too hard to find, but they are a significant chunk of metal and may be a bit to get one shipped. Probably a good bet that a member on here named Andreas will have what you need. If not, Ebay will probably be your best bet.

The midnight's are a bit of a rare breed, so I do hope you consider fixing what it needs and get it back on the road.


Tod

[Ivan]

I have a crankshaft sitting in my garage. PM me and we can work out the details. The damn thing is heavy and might be pricey to ship, but something should work out.

As far as the cam bearings, most modern OHC engines don't use bearings, they just run in the head. If you know a good welder and a good machinist, there is a possibility of welding the damage up and having it line bored back into tolerance. The oiling holes will ahve to be re drilled if there are any (I don't know on the XS).

If push comes to shove, I have a pre 80 engine that looks in rough shape, the cams are rusty, but the head may be in useable condition. If you don't find anything else, let me know and I can tear into that engine and see if the head is worth it.

Ivan

[Bigleo]

cam bearings

I would consider machining, or even by just wet sanding on a flat surface, sand .002 off the cam bearing cap. As the pressure from the cam springs is upward, most of the wear would be on the cap. The bearing surface in the head should be OK. That would probably be all you would need to do to get it back into spec. Or if you want a perfect job, take off about .006 of the caps and get the head linebored.
Leo

[Crazcnuk]

The cam caps are what take the brunt of the force. Most of the force is 'up' at the angle the valve springs are pushing. There is nothing pulling the cams down toward the engine, except those caps.

To fix this you machine off a few thou off the caps, then realign bore the holes.