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I am taking apart a barn find motor from a 1893 xj1100 which is claimed to only have about 32000 kms on it. All I want is the head, but the condition of the cams caught my attention. Can cams be cleaned up and used again, or are they junk by the time they look like this?
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I wouldn't be afraid to use them because the only risk (aside from the cam itself) is that the shims might wear faster. No real loss if it did happen.-Mike
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'79 XS1100SF 20k miles
'80 XS1100SG 44k miles
'81 XS1100H Venturer 35k miles
'79 XS750SF 17k miles
'85 Honda V65 Magna ~7k miles
'84 Honda V65 Magna 48k miles (parts bike)
'86 Yamaha VMAX 9k miles
Previous: '68 Motoguzzi 600cc + '79 XS750SF 22k miles +'84 Honda V65 -
That looks like it has pits in it, I would use it last resort only. The 80-81 XS 11's use the same cams if you need to replace. And all years XJ11.
Last edited by bikerphil; 07-07-2023, 10:41 PM.2H7 (79) owned since '89
3H3 owned since '06
"If it ain't broke, modify it"
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A cam lobe with that much pitting will grind metal. While it is true that the hardened shim will only suffer from the direct contact at first, over time the increase in friction will certainly cause metal loss. The cams have a hardened surface that has been breeched by oxidation. The metal ends up circulating in your motor. Not good.Comment
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Thanks for all you help. I have a good set, but was just wondering about these.Comment
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There used to be a company that would build up and re-grind cams. You could send those off to make them more of a track spec.Ray Matteis
KE6NHG
XS1100 E '78 (winter project)
XS1100 SF Bob Jones worked on it!Comment
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