1981 GS1100EX camshafts replacement

[camus]

Hello all,

I have to replace both of the camshafts. Could you please tell me briefly how it's done. Do I just take the old ones out and put the new ones in? Is it so easy? The new ones are similar with the old ones (original).

From Finland,
Erkki

[Mark M]

Hello all,

I have to replace both of the camshafts. Could you please tell me briefly how it's done. Do I just take the old ones out and put the new ones in? Is it so easy? The new ones are similar with the old ones (original).

From Finland,
Erkki

I'm not sure of exactly what you are asking. Are you looking for info on how to pull the cams, if it is OK to change out the cams and leave the rockers alone or what?

If you are asking about pulling the cams, then yes it is as easy as pulling the old cams and installing the new ones. You need to set the timing correctly, of course, but that is all you need to worry about. Then check lash after the new cams are installed and you are good to go.

I'm not certain if new cams should be run on the old rockers, though. Hopefully one of the racers chimes in here with that info.

Mark

[camus]

That's exactly my question that do I have to remove anything else than just the old camshafts and then install new ones. I'm using the old cam sprockets and trying to find out the easiest way to replace the cams and get it work again.

Erkki

[rphillips]

From the questions you asked, you souldn't attempt it at all without REPAIR MANUAL. Very easy job, as long as you do everything correctly & in order. Cam chain tensioner, Timing marks aligned correctly, proper torque on very small bolts & sequence of tightening the caps & bolts, Keep slack in cam chain, toward the tensioner, etc. Never heard of needing to install new rockers just cause you have new cams, If so, you could buy them in sets, like pistons & rings. Good luck, & go by the book!!!

[camus]

From the questions you asked, you souldn't attempt it at all without REPAIR MANUAL. Very easy job, as long as you do everything correctly & in order. Cam chain tensioner, Timing marks aligned correctly, proper torque on very small bolts & sequence of tightening the caps & bolts, Keep slack in cam chain, toward the tensioner, etc. Never heard of needing to install new rockers just cause you have new cams, If so, you could buy them in sets, like pistons & rings. Good luck, & go by the book!!!

Thank you! I have Haynes repair manual but I'm not a professional with the engine repair and I have to be sure about doing everything in correct order and in a correct way. Maybe some other manual would be better for me to understand.

Erkki

[chef1366]

Remove the horns, fuel tank, tach cable, cam end covers and valve cover.
Take off the ignition cover and with a 19mm wrench rotate the engine (with spark plugs removed) until the crank trigger faces the left side (1&4) and the timing mark lines up to TDC. Check the camshaft sprockets. The exhaust sprocket has two arrows. One should point at the the very top of the head where the valve cover rests and the other one about straight up.
Go to the cam chain tensioner. Loosen the lock nut and tighten the screw to lock the tensioner. Remove the tensioner.
Take off the cam caps on the exhaust cam and remove the camshaft. Switch out the sprocket and install the new exhaust cam with the timing marks the same as before checking that the timing marks are still lined up at the crank. Pull the cam chain over the sprocket so there is no slack in the chain but without moving the crank.
Now the intake cam. Remove the cam cap covers and remove the cam. Switch out the sprocket. Install the cam and count 20 links between the exhaust cam arrow pointing straight up the the only arrow on the intake sprocket. Make sure to count the links above both arows also. Before putting on the cam cap covers reinstall the cam chain tensioner. First you need to cock the tensioner by loosening the locking screw and pushing the piston all the way in and lock it down by tightening the lock screw. Install the tensioner but before releasing it (a quarter turn) hold the chain on the intake sprocket so it doesn't jump. Now put on the intake cam covers. Don't forget to lock the cam chain tensioner lock screw with the lock nut.
Rotate the engine and check and recheck the timing.

[rphillips]

Haynes should be fine. Be sure each of the cam caps are put back in the proper location. Be careful, over torque the little bolts, & they'll be broke before you know it.