OK, I finally am getting around to doing my cams. I know, the bike has been down since AUG...
But my truck turbo went out too, and I also had an Air National Guard trip in there, so my time was pretty taken.

I went to the local HD dealer and got the 01 and up rear cam bearing. Because the used Andrews 37Bs I go didn't have the whole bearing on that cam, just the inner part. I bought a new bearing, am using the outer part on that cam. (Local HD mech said it looked fine.)

My problem is this, Somehow I guess my cam support plate is bad? When I removed the old cams, the one bearing was disintegrated, (Where the NEW 01 style bearing is now...) I had to lay the plate on my LARGE vice, with rags under it, and gently take a small screw driver and with a small hammer, tapped it, (Making contact with the indented part of the race, not the plate) and working around it, got it out pretty easily. Taking the other cam out, (the front one, where the bearing was still intact) it came out with a few wiggles of the stock cam...(Not exceptionally easy, but it came out) When ready to reassemble, (Knowing you all use the freezer, oven method..and wondering if they would go together without that, since they came out so easy,,,, I wondered about putting them back in, they went in pretty darned easy too, so I suppose my support plate is trashed? (There was NO EVIDENCE of the plate having the old bearings spun inside, or anything like that..) It LOOKS fine,,,
All it took to reinstall, was laying the plate on my leg,,(The red pins to hold the new tensioners open, are still installed) positioning the cams/bearings/chain properly, and a couple very light taps with a rubber mallet. Now the bad part, the front cam, can pull the bearing in/out way easier than I supposed it should. Does that metal plate with the 4 screws secure it? Or do I have a bad cam support plate? It just seems like there would be no oven/freezer method, or speciall tool needed if mine is "Normal" so I have my doubts. Just when I thought I was only a couple hours from having my scoot back, too...
SIGH,,,[sm=biker2.gif][sm=boohoo.gif]

 

I'm not exactly sure what you are asking. If you are saying that the cam and bearing assembly are moving in and out then the support is expanded but you should not have to replace it. This is only good if your tolerance is less than .015". Apply Loctite Primer #770 and Green # 680 to clean surfaces. This will bring it back to press fit and race won't spin.

 

So basicly "Glue" the bearing in? I was wondering if that would be a possible solution. What I was asking is if everyone has to use the Freezer/oven method to get the cams in, or that special tool from Georges garage. I was asking if my support plate could have been bad...because it went in SOO easily compared to what it seems everyone else has had to do. Should I be able to purchase those two loctite products at any auto parts store? I am not familiar with them for sure. Also are the instructions for using it in this application going to be straight forward? (ie... coat the cam support plate hole, and the outer bearing race and install?) or what?
I REALLY am wanting to get my scoot running soon,

If you are saying that there has to be .015 space in the bearing fit to be a bad plate. Then I am safe because it is a good "Snug" fit, I am sure nowhere near that much slop, but not real tight like I expected it to be.
Thanks in advance.

 

Been trying to remember for sure and can't but one cam has to be pressed/tapped out and the other will just fall out with tensioners unloaded. I thank it is the front cam that falls out BUT NOT AT ALL SURE. Eather way I have never heard of locktiting bearing into plate b4 and would like to hear more discussion b4 I "glued" bearing into plate. The plate should hold enough tension on bearing to keep it from spining w/o locktite. Not saying it can't be done just never heard of that.

 

xlr8rtwisted and Jlockhart, I appreciate your replies, and no offense xlr8 I also am skeptical, and would LOVE more advice on this before I try it. I really only want to go into this once, ya know!

 

Will find out which cam presses in for sure today latter if no one else chimes in. Is there any way you can get another bearing to check? You said that there were no groves or spin marks in the plate correct?

 

Yep, no groves or spin marks whatsoever. The bearing that seems most loose, is NOT the one that failed either. The one that concerns me is the front, so that coinsides with what you initially think. Which is probably a good thing, right?
Thanks again, if your right, I can get this thing going today! That will be a good thing too!

 

Been trying to remember but about 90% sure both bearings SHOULD have to be pressed/taped out of the plate. One of the cams just slip fits into the bearing and will just slide out of the bearing that remains in the plate. The other bearing is pressed on the cam and then pressed into plate. Not what you wanted to hear. Both bearings are not hard to remove but you shoul have to heat plate up or press them back in. Should not just slip in.

 

Loctite Green is a retaining compound. Both bearings should go into support plate relatively hard. (Press Fit) If your bearing is going in too easy than the race will likely spin and cause failure. Loctite green #648 can be used if you think the space is less than .007". I would see if you can order this from an automotive parts store or maybe a tractor repair shop. I've had really good success with this stuff in my line of work. It does what it is designed to do. Who ever sells it should be able to provide instructions. Still, I am going by the information you have given me which sounds like you have a cam bearing going into the support plate too easily.

 

There are two methods used in removal and installation. One is the heat and cool method, the other is the press out and in. The plate does not need to be hot when using the press.