Installing Cams "How-To" (with pics)

[Folkie]

Originally Posted by tara

thanks, on every manual, even in the Clymer, they say to remove pushrods and tappets

They don't say that in the FSM; another example of the FSM being better than one of these third party manuals.

[tara]

what is FSM ? clymer has normally a great reputation, i have used it for years, it is quite good usually.
thanks

[Folkie]

Factory service manual. By far the best (as this example proves).

[tara]

thanks for the info

[DaytonaSportster]

Excellent write up!! I used this as a quick reference and did my N4 change out today. Now to put some miles on them!

[fukeles]

Hello,

Turbota wrote one important sentence.

Once all cams are removed, DO NOT rotate the engine. This will make it much easier to install the new cams in there proper position.

Here I made a mistake. My cams was removed and I had move the bike in my garage. Of course, I forgot 5th gear and my engine rotated

Can you please advise me how I can install the cams properly now?

Thanks a lot for every advice

Mark

[Rico 05R]

Originally Posted by fukeles

Hello,

Turbota wrote one important sentence.

Once all cams are removed, DO NOT rotate the engine. This will make it much easier to install the new cams in there proper position.

Here I made a mistake. My cams was removed and I had move the bike in my garage. Of course, I forgot 5th gear and my engine rotated

Can you please advise me how I can install the cams properly now?

Thanks a lot for every advice

Mark

Just line up the timing mark on the pinion gear, to where it is pointed directly at the center of the #2 bushing.

[steelworker]

Originally Posted by fukeles

Hello,

Turbota wrote one important sentence.

Once all cams are removed, DO NOT rotate the engine. This will make it much easier to install the new cams in there proper position.

Here I made a mistake. My cams was removed and I had move the bike in my garage. Of course, I forgot 5th gear and my engine rotated

Can you please advise me how I can install the cams properly now?

Thanks a lot for every advice

Mark

It doesn't make it much more difficult. Just rotate the engine until the mark on the pinion gear is pointing to the centre of the bush for the #2 cam (edit: as in Rico's photo above - he beat me to it!), then install the #2 cam to check the mark on it aligns with the mark on the pinion gear (remove the cam and rotate the engine slightly if necessary to align).

Now remove the #2 cam.

Fit the #1 and #3 cams and align the marks on them with the centre of the #2 cam bush. Hold them in place while you reinstall the #2 cam. Check that all marks on cams 1-3 and the pinion gear align. Slide the #2 cam out slightly if necessary to adjust the alignment of cams 1 and 3.

Fit cam #4, aligning the mark with the mark on cam #3.

[DaytonaSportster]

While mine did not rotate when installing, just 1/2 my cams came out with the cover. So I just rotated and aligned up no problem.

[evereyken]

Originally Posted by rlutsey

Just line up the timing mark on the pinion gear, to where it is pointed directly at the center of the #2 bushing.

My cams came out when I removed the cover and I did as Rico described above and everything lined up just right.