Removing cams
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Stage III
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 3
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From: CT
Removing cams
Hello,
First of all this is my first post, but I've been lurking for a while now. I am in the process of helping my father put his bike back together after a wreck a few years ago. He did a number on the case of the engine by the points cover cracking the case at the bottom bolt hole. I have an experienced welder to fix the case for me but I have to remove the cams and timing gears first. I have watched the video on YouTube with cutting the pushrods but would like to keep them intact so I was going to have someone help me with that. My question is that when I remove the cams will I mess up the timing at all if I move the bike? I am going to have to trailer it to get welded and I don't want to mess anything up.
Thanks in advance
Chuck
First of all this is my first post, but I've been lurking for a while now. I am in the process of helping my father put his bike back together after a wreck a few years ago. He did a number on the case of the engine by the points cover cracking the case at the bottom bolt hole. I have an experienced welder to fix the case for me but I have to remove the cams and timing gears first. I have watched the video on YouTube with cutting the pushrods but would like to keep them intact so I was going to have someone help me with that. My question is that when I remove the cams will I mess up the timing at all if I move the bike? I am going to have to trailer it to get welded and I don't want to mess anything up.
Thanks in advance
Chuck
Cruiser
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 242
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From: park county colorado
Not sure what your saying about the pushrods You have to remove them in order to pull the cams. If you dont cut them then you have to go in from the top. If your thinking of trailering after you take cams out I would pull the lifters too otherwise they will fall out first bump you hit. Also I would hope you have an enclosed trailer going down the road with your engine opened up. List a step by step as to what your trying to do so we can help others will chime in.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 2,729
Likes: 7
From: Republic of Texas
Like already said, If you are not wanting to cut the pushrods then you will need to pull them out thru the top. If you leave the bike in neutral then the engine will not turn over while you roll it onto the trailer.
Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,337
Likes: 4
From: Sunny South Florida
No big deal here. IN fact you can remove the cam plate and not even disturb the cams. They will stay attached to the plate and keep both chains and the adjusters in place without having to mess with them, just remember to remove the four bolts for the oil pump but not the perimeter bolts on the cam plate and the entire assembly will come out together. As stated before, if the bike is in N the entire time, you won't have any problems sliding it right back in when your done.
One note, make sure you mark the pushrods and lifters when you take them out unless you are planning on changing the cams. They like it where they live, if you move them, your cam will be angry.
One note, make sure you mark the pushrods and lifters when you take them out unless you are planning on changing the cams. They like it where they live, if you move them, your cam will be angry.
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Stage III
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: CT
Thanks for your quick replies. Yes the trailer in enclosed. So is it recomended to wait until I get it to the welder to remove the cams? I do have the manual and I am mechanically inclined but I am pretty sure its over my head, thats why I am going to get someone to help me with the removal and re-install. As long as its in neutral the crank shaft shouldnt move correct? Is there a positive way I can make sure that the sprocket isn't 180deg off? I just dont want to smash a valve because of a careless mistake.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 100,455
Likes: 19,811
From: Centennial, CO
I was intimidated my first time in there, too. (about a month ago). The book is good. Take your time. Being mechanically inclined, you have a head start. Follow your instincts. Strongly suggest you get the adjustable pushrods as mentioned above. It will make things lots easier.
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Road Warrior
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,337
Likes: 4
From: Sunny South Florida
Perhaps the adjustable pushrods will make it faster, but not easier. They also give you the ability to maladjust them. I would spend the money on new rocker box gaskets and just pull the pushrods out. Re-installation is just a matter of reversing the process. Real simple.
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