Cam Install Question
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Club Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 247
Likes: 9
From: Anoka,MN
Cam Install Question
I have a question on the dot alignment. These are 255 cams. Does this look normal for cam alignment ? When it's one tooth off it should be out of alignment alot more ? 1st time doing cams on a bike for me.
Tourer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 310
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From: Des Moines, IA
They look lined up to me. I think a chain link difference would be noticeable. If you're concerned try moving it a link either way and see how much worse it gets.
Personally I think the outer gears are harder to eyeball for alignment.
Personally I think the outer gears are harder to eyeball for alignment.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,919
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From: Seattle, WA
They looked close, but just a bit off ... to me ...
So, I overlaid a horizontal line on your photo ... it appears to me that the semicircles created by the line lying on the dots (that is supposed to disect the camshafts) ... seems to me the semicirlces are not symmetrical ... are not equal ...
Just me, maybe ... but, I am thinking they're off just a touch ...
So, I overlaid a horizontal line on your photo ... it appears to me that the semicircles created by the line lying on the dots (that is supposed to disect the camshafts) ... seems to me the semicirlces are not symmetrical ... are not equal ...
Just me, maybe ... but, I am thinking they're off just a touch ...
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Club Member
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 247
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From: Anoka,MN
Yes no doubt they are a little off. When I put the chain on the cam sprockets I was 1 tooth off on the 1st attempt. Which was very noticable. Moved 1 tooth and they lined up just slightly off center of cam to cam centerline to aligned dots. Watching the S&S video they looked like they were just a tick off like mine so I thought I was good to go. Did'nt bother to try another tooth because I felt it would be way off going another tooth. I just set the cam plate in the chest and am not comfortable with what I see.
Best to probably go another tooth and check for peace of mind. But I better stop down and pick up a couple circlips (knew I should have done that in the 1st place). I'm not comfortable taking the clip off and reusing it.
Good point about adding a little oil to the cam chest.
I guess I was wonder if anyone else doing 255 cams seen the same just a tick off on alignment as shown.
Thanks everyone.
Best to probably go another tooth and check for peace of mind. But I better stop down and pick up a couple circlips (knew I should have done that in the 1st place). I'm not comfortable taking the clip off and reusing it.
Good point about adding a little oil to the cam chest.
I guess I was wonder if anyone else doing 255 cams seen the same just a tick off on alignment as shown.
Thanks everyone.
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Club Member
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From: Anoka,MN
Thank you. Thats what I kinda figured. You posted while I was writing my previous post.
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Road Master
Joined: Jul 2011
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From: West New york, NJ
They are not at perfect 90* breaks so they will look even more off. One looks slightly past 3 o'clock and the other looks a little before 9. If you got them a little closer, the line disected would look more even.
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Club Member
Joined: Sep 2011
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From: Anoka,MN
I had to take it out and see if moving the cam another tooth would line up the dots better. YES. Now I have perfect alignment thru the centerline to the dots. Go figure..
If your doing your own cams make it perfect !
I've had my bike for a year now and I have 18,000 miles on it. I decided to pull the rocker covers off and check as much as I could. I also felt safer about re using the stock pushrods. I decided to replace the lifters at this time also. Should have it running this weekend.
If your doing your own cams make it perfect !
I've had my bike for a year now and I have 18,000 miles on it. I decided to pull the rocker covers off and check as much as I could. I also felt safer about re using the stock pushrods. I decided to replace the lifters at this time also. Should have it running this weekend.