Cam removal

[mack]

I warned you , I'm no mechanic. I'm at step 14 on page 62 of the Clymer manual trying to get the cams out. It says that you remove the exposed sprocket bolts the rotate the motor 180 degree's to get at the other two, but don't rotate the cams as severe damage may result. Ok so have does that happen. if I rotate the engine 180 degrees, the cams are going to rotate no matter what until the sprockets are off. Also I see no witness points on the cam shafts to assist in orientation for reassembly. Are they hidden some place I'm not looking?

[kirmit77]

there are dots that are supposed to line up everywhere. Just keep reading and its pretty self explanatory. Take off the two sprocket bolts, rotate the engine at the crank untill you can get the other two sprocket nuts off. And if all that doesnt work, just give up and ill be on my way with a trailer to take it off your hands

[Ivan]

Once you get the second set of bolts out of the cams, don't turn the engine.

Remove the two you can see, then turn the engine over a full turn, and remove the other two. From that point don't turn anything over, until the cam caps are off and the cams are out of the way.

[mack]

embarassed

Found two dots on the center holders after I rotated another full turn, will photo exact alignment. Kind of figured thats what they meant but wanted to make sure before I took stupidity to a new level. If you see an xs rider with a bag over is head, that would be me.

[dbeardslee]

Why are you trying to get the cams out? Also, if you take the sprockets off, better mark the orientation as they only correctly go on one way.

[Incubus]

Take stupidity to a new level?!? I don't think so. I have been to levels that do not even exist in your time/space continuum....

Patrick

[Ivan]

Cam sprockets go on with the embossed markings away from the mounting flange and the one with the bump goes toward the dot on the cam

[trbig]

Maybe it's early, and possibly pre-caffeine this morning, but Ivan, my friend... I have taken who knows how many cams out, and I don't have a clue what you just said?? lol.


Maybe it's just me though.


Tod

[mack]

pulling motor

I'm pulling the head so I can lap the valves in #2&#3, they were the ones open to the air for 18 years. Compression test revealed an issue there. I'm pulling the motor out of the frame so I can have it inspected repaired and repainted.

[Ivan]

Maybe it's early, and possibly pre-caffeine this morning, but Ivan, my friend... I have taken who knows how many cams out, and I don't have a clue what you just said?? lol.


Maybe it's just me though.


Tod

Its technical.

[randy]

I've never taken the sprockets completely off the cams, just let 'em hang loose. If you don't take them off, you can't flip them by mistake. For the sprocket bolts, remove the ones farthest from the cam dots first then spin the motor to line up the dots and remove the other bolts.

[dbeardslee]

Personally I think it's easier to break the chain when removing the head. You don't have to take the sprockets off, and the cams will lift right out. It makes it easier to get the marks lined back up when you reassemble, too. It does require a chain breaking/riveting tool though - $44 at Mikes XS - and a rivet link that matches the chain. JAT

[Mashermoto]

Mack,

Hope I'm not too late, but here is some reading for you. Skip to the last pages for a quick answer.

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?t=24881

You do need to pay attention as to which way the sprockets are mounted. That is, flat side against the cam face and raised side to the outside. I somehow got one backwards and it gave me quite a bit of greif when lining up the alignment marks.

The cams will come off without breaking the chain. Also, don't worry so much about the rotation warning. What they want you to beware of is that you can run a pistion into a valve when rotating the engine. Just go slow and if you feel the motor not wanting to rotate...stop. I found using a wrench on the cam shaft to turn it helped. I took an old wrench and ground it to fit the surface.

[trbig]

What they want you to beware of is that you can run a pistion into a valve when rotating the engine. Just go slow and if you feel the motor not wanting to rotate...stop.

I wouldn't use this "Feel" option if I were you. The pistons have so much leverage being applied to them from the rods, that the first time I did this, the cam chain wasn't on the bottom crank sprocket. I slowly and carefully turned the crank a couple revs to check the timing marks and only when I was almost done did I notice the cams not turning.

I bent over half my valves and never felt a thing.

Tod

[Mashermoto]

Over half the valves...Yikes

OK Popeye, er, I mean Tod...for pitty's sake don't eat cans of spinach before working on your cams