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S&S 475 gear drive cam install

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Old Dec 22, 2019 | 06:47 PM
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Default S&S 475 gear drive cam install

Preparing to install the gear drive S&S 475 cam on a M8 and I noticed the S&S instructions don't list a cam spacer behind the cam gear. Is there no reason to check for alignment between the upper and lower sprockets as you would with a chain drive?
 
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Old Dec 22, 2019 | 08:04 PM
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Originally Posted by Adams17RG
Preparing to install the gear drive S&S 475 cam on a M8 and I noticed the S&S instructions don't list a cam spacer behind the cam gear. Is there no reason to check for alignment between the upper and lower sprockets as you would with a chain drive?
yes, you need to check!
 
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Old Dec 23, 2019 | 05:55 AM
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Originally Posted by Adams17RG
Preparing to install the gear drive S&S 475 cam on a M8 and I noticed the S&S instructions don't list a cam spacer behind the cam gear. Is there no reason to check for alignment between the upper and lower sprockets as you would with a chain drive?
The reason for the spacers on the chain drive is to align the gears to make sure the chain isn't in a bind. More than .010" is too much.

If your gears on a gear drive are not lined up exactly, nothing will be in a bind. If you assemble it and find that it has a lot of offset, I guess you could shim it, but it probably isn't necessary.
 
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Old Dec 23, 2019 | 02:14 PM
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Remember you can place the crank gear in place, then hold the cam gear and check it before you tighten the cam bolt. As said, a little misalignment in the gear drive doesn't bother it much unlike a chain drive.
 
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Old Dec 23, 2019 | 02:23 PM
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Thanks guys. I figured as much. Just found it odd that S&S does not mention checking sprocket alignment.
 
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