cam chain & shims

[old_bartender]

82,900 miles on the 79 xs1100F i would like to put a new cam chain in my bike and do the shims
where is a good place to get the parts i might need
shim i need are 245,255,290,2@295
Thank you
The Old Bartender

[jetmechmarty]

I like Z1. They have your shims at $6 each. Maybe you can find a local shop that will trade shims with you. That's what I did and it cost me zero $.

[TopCatGr58]

I see you've been around since 2004, so hopefully you've seen/read that you don't need to split the cases to do the cam chain swap!

Also, you may not have any trouble with the OEM cam chain tensioner, but many have, and most suggest installing the newer ACCT Automatic Cam chain tensioner that Yamaha cam up with a few years later than the XS11. There's a tech tip that tells what other models used the ACCT so that you can have a more fruitful shopping experience on eBay.

T.C.

[Diskman01]

i JUST got done replacing my cam chain on my '78 tonight. Not a bad project if you take your time. Took me about 1.5 hours from start to finish. I bought the new chain from Z1 and 2 extra master links.

I ran bailing wire thru 2 places on the original chain so I couldn't fall down the chain tunnels, laid lots of blue "shop towels" between the cams and used a dremel to grind a link off. (Need to remove the tensioner AND the middle chain guide before doing this.. I replaced mine last year with an Auto one.) Since the Z1 chain is "beefier" than the stock one, I couldn't use a new master link to link them together. I used some evil piano wire I had from my old RC cars to link the chains together..

I then carefully gave the REAR sprocket chain a bunch of slack and fed the whole shebang from the front.. Once the new chain comes out the back tunnel, transfer the bailing wire to the 2nd from last link on the new chain ends and cut the piano wire link. Slack it up to land on the crank sprocket. I had a helper gently turn the crank ever so slightly to make sure that the new chain was engaged. Probably no more than 5 degrees. Once done, line up on the cam sprockets and fight the master link. I was able to get it started then have my helper hold a mini-sledge behind the new link while I gently tapped the new link on. Once it's on, install the cam chain tensioner and carefully turn the engine slowly clockwise to check the marks, "T" on the crank and the dots on the cams. Turn a few more turns to make sure. I cranked mine for about 2 minutes. lol.

I peened the master pins with a sharp chisel and some serious wacks with a hammer while the mini-sledge was being held on the other side.

Re-install the middle chain slider when done.

Tadaa..

[old_bartender]

Thank you for the help.
the Z1 was out of stock
i have read a lot of the info. on this site. been a lot of help over the years.
my xs is one of five bike that i have. and the one the wife of 28 years and i ride. a shop near my house has the 25mm shims but not the 29mm so i order the one i needed i will reread the chain be for i get after it
thank again
The old_bartender

[Diskman01]

My bad.. I bought the last Z1 chain.