Replacing cams 78 GS1000

[chuck hahn]

If it is just "surface" rust i think i would try some wire wheels on a drill or dremel, some 600 wet dry sand paper, 00 or 000 steel wool..anything before i had to take them out. But thats just me of course.

[Nessism]

Many of the newer bikes require cam removal to adjust the valves. It ain't a big deal.

[morrison]

When you say vise the cam down you surely mean just enough to hold it in place right?

[Nessism]

When you say vise the cam down you surely mean just enough to hold it in place right?

Yes. Otherwise the threads on the cam caps are loaded when you remove/tighten the screws because the cam lobe is pushing against the valve springs.

[morrison]

Thanks. Gonna tear into it tomo. Any ideas for soaking a gas tank to get all the rust out of it?

[renobruce]

I wouldn't put those cams in my worst enemy's bike. I have some stock ones from a '78 that I'll give you for the cost of freight.

[morrison]

I wouldn't put those cams in my worst enemy's bike. I have some stock ones from a '78 that I'll give you for the cost of freight.

You figure out the freight, I'll send the paypal.. 914 dryden dr. toledo, ohio 43612.

[Nessism]

I'd try Scotchbrite first and see how they look. Stay clear of wire wheels and similar with power tools. If the rust doesn't clean up easily I'd get new cams.

[morrison]

Well I got the cams out and cleaned up. Using a super fine pad on a die grinder,. Turned out good.
But if you look closely you can see on the Right side on the exhaust cam is slightly blue.
And that is the only one doing that. So I decided to look at the cap. It is pitted. Cap A. And is the only one slightly pitted.
If you look on the right the main pitting is in the dark areas. Should I go about and polish those up to to get rid of the pits?

[Nessism]

I'd leave the pits alone assuming they are into the metal and won't abrade against anything. That blue is common and nothing to worry about, although it does reference some hot running in the past.

[morrison]

Here is some head shots. A little scoring in the journal. And I dont see a bearing, so now what?

sorry for the crappy pictures.

[Tom R]

Here is some head shots. A little scoring in the journal. And I dont see a bearing, so now what?

sorry for the crappy pictures.

You put it back together, adjust the valves, and start it up.

[morrison]

Are you talking from experience? Because if so it'll be back together this evening.

[Nessism]

Are you talking from experience? Because if so it'll be back together this evening.

You can't put metal back into those pits, or those scored journals. Your only reasonable option is to put it back together. From what I can see it will be fine. Just be careful with the next few valve adjustments and inspect the cams for possible deterioration of the lobes (which is unlikely).

[hampshirehog]

Looks ok to me. Just have a look that the cam caps match up with the head. They are machined together in the factory and somebody might have done a mismatch on that head before.