I decided to upgrade my cam tensioner shoes (since I can't afford a gear drive this year) and to replace the cam bearings while I am in there. I had hoped to get both cam shafts out without loosing the chain timing but that didn't work.

On re-assembly, the HD Service Manual says to "align the punch marks" on both cams with the centre of the cam shaft. I was expecting to find centre punch marks but the only thing I can see on both cam shafts is a couple of squiggly little lines (see attached).

Is these supposed to be the "punch marks"??? (Hope so 'case I have the cams back in the plate with these marks aligned!)

I want to be sure before I put everything back together.

The bike is a 2002 FXD 88
Thanks!

 

Were there any dots like this on them?

 

All my manuals show dots. They should both be leveled with a ruler across the centerline and each be inward to each other. I think you may have aftermarket cams.

You need to add a signature line for your year model and letters similar to my bike line. I looked in even the older and latest manuals and they all show dots

 

You should go back and check the teeth for punch marks

 

I looked over both cams VERY carefully, on both sides, and there are NO centre punch marks anywhere. They both have a letter "A" and number 3 on the rear cam, and another mark on the front cam that is indistinguishable.

It occurred to me that they may be after-market cams but I still have the same issue with determining that I have the right timing front-to-rear. All the pictures I see on line have centre punch marks.

 

THEY got to be there if not I would be getting a new set of cams.

 

Those cams have been running REALLY good for the 3 years I have owned the bike and I can't afford another set of cams.

 

My guess is it's the two dot lines. (between them is your centerline). They were made with a automated scriber. We had them in sheet metal shop at the shipyard where I worked controlled by NC machines

Ask some of our sponsors like Baker. We will find an answer. What does your mark look like on the gear on the outside?

 

That makes sense, particularly if they are after-market.

 

The marks should on the inside side of the gears... Looking at the rear cam you should replace the rear bearing with the roller bearing replacement...

http://partsfinder.onlinemicrofiche....%20W/%20CHAINS

Item #5

Cams don't look stock tho..