Replacing cams 78 GS1000

[morrison]

Where should I start. Well I have rusted cams since the cover was left off. I need to replace the cams. Does anyone have a copy of the procedure from a manual. Or should I hunt down a Manual here in town. Dealer wants 80 for a copy of the service manual. Thanks in advance.

[chuck hahn]

BIKECLIFF website...free download there.

[sharpy]

How rust is rusty? And have a look in my photo site for magazine scans. Should be one of you bike.

http://s125.photobucket.com/albums/p55/sharpywheelie/

[morrison]

Will a 80's manual be identical to a 78'

[sharpy]

There not rusty. A quick buff will clean them up. Try this one......

http://www.mtsac.edu/~cliff/storage/gs/GS1000.pdf

[chuck hahn]

throw a gasket on it and button her up..she'll be just fine.

[morrison]

I figured rust is rust when it comes to internal engine components. I am digging the PDf from BikeCliff's site. I have just a billion questions i need to clear up before removing the cams.The procedure in the manual seemed vague and missing something. Or it may be that I am just over thinking the whole procedure. This is what I am getting from the reading. Tell me if I am wrong. A. Set timing to TDC mark., B Loosen chain tensioner lock nut. C. Lift chain on exhaust side up and tighten chain tensioner lock nut. D. Removed cams. E . Reverse procedure to install. . Something missing.

[sharpy]

Try cleaning them as is with steel wool. Just try and keep the residue from getting too far inside everything. Looks like just surface rust. I presume you havent changeed the oil yet so any stuff that you miss will clean itself when you warm the engine up to drain the oil.

[morrison]

I'm shocked to hear that no one is concerened about RUST on a CAM. lol I will take some emery to it and see what comes of it,.

[Flyboy]

A wire brush on a drill will clean those up good as new in no time at all.
I would not try and clean them in place, take them out, wire brush, re install and enjoy.
No more than an afternoons work.

[sharpy]

I'm shocked to hear that no one is concerened about RUST on a CAM. lol I will take some emery to it and see what comes of it,.

Well if the steel wool wont work then yes sure take them out and wirebuff them. If you have access to a buff mop some polish wouldnt hurt while there out

[Nessism]

I'd remove the cams before cleaning. There will be all kinds of debris if you try to clean them in place.

[morrison]

Thanks for the input guys. I'm gonna take the cams out and emery cloth them I guess since the cam only makes contact with a little portion I suppose it isn't that much of a big deal. it is only surface rust. even after looking over the manual I still don't completely understand the process of removing the chain. I guess ill just dive in and check it out eh.

[Big T]

The chain doesn't get "removed"

You slide the cam out from underneath it, so be sure to have a length of wire handy to wrap around the cam chain after you remove the exhaust cam, then be sure the wire doesn't fall in the well with the cahin

[Nessism]

I think you are going to have to remove the cam chain tensioner before removing the cams. It may be possible to get the plunger to move backwards while the tensioner is in place but it will require some monkeying around.

Set to 1-4 T

Remove tensioner

Clamp cam into head using vice grips (the factory service manual has a photo of this)

Remove cam cap bolts

Release vice grips and extract cams - make sure to hold the chain up or you will have to fish it out