cam question

mikedabike64 · December 3rd, 2013, 11:08 AM

hey guys my bike is 14000 miles on it I just got it on a trade not too long ago and so far I redid the fork seals and fork oil. replace the coolant oil filter the chain sprockets, took the carbs off cleaned shimmed the needles which worked great by the way, changed the spark plugs and air filter remove the snorkel, etc.
I have to check the valve clearance and I plan on doing that very soon but I had a question about the cams,
I was thinking since my cans have 14,000 miles on it,
what I be able to replace those cans with newer cams with less miles on it because that probably took quite a beating over time. but for argument sake if they did not fall within the service limit
is that something I would be able to do or are the cams machine for a specific motor much like the head is machined.
I'm just asking if I would be able to buy a newer cams off of say a wrecked bike that might have less where on it and then do the valve clearance adjustment based on the new used cams,
I apologize if it is a stupid question but I think I am more curious than anything else

jkv45 · December 3rd, 2013, 11:17 AM

If it was maintained properly there shouldn't be any reason to replace the cams at that point.

Take a look at the surface of the cams for damage (galling) from lack of oil or the wrong (auto) oil, but chances are they should be fine.

alex.s · December 3rd, 2013, 11:32 AM

don't bother unless there is something wrong with it.

mikedabike64 · December 3rd, 2013, 11:54 AM

I get these stupid ideas in my head and it's nice to have sensible people to kick it around with

Motofool · December 3rd, 2013, 05:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mikedabike64

.......are the cams machine for a specific motor much like the head is machined.
I'm just asking if I would be able to buy a newer cams off of say a wrecked bike that might have less where on it and then do the valve clearance adjustment based on the new used cams.........

No, cams are not machined to match any other part in the engine, you can just replace both camshafts or one, ..... and your question is not stupid either.

That mileage is nothing for one of these engines, if properly used and serviced.

mikedabike64 · December 4th, 2013, 11:26 PM

i thank you for the response

SteveL · December 5th, 2013, 02:35 AM

If it works don't fix it.
Steve

December 3rd, 2013, 11:08 AM	#1
mikedabike64 ninjette.org guru Name: mike Location: jackson, nj Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 ninja 250 Posts: 271	cam question hey guys my bike is 14000 miles on it I just got it on a trade not too long ago and so far I redid the fork seals and fork oil. replace the coolant oil filter the chain sprockets, took the carbs off cleaned shimmed the needles which worked great by the way, changed the spark plugs and air filter remove the snorkel, etc. I have to check the valve clearance and I plan on doing that very soon but I had a question about the cams, I was thinking since my cans have 14,000 miles on it, what I be able to replace those cans with newer cams with less miles on it because that probably took quite a beating over time. but for argument sake if they did not fall within the service limit is that something I would be able to do or are the cams machine for a specific motor much like the head is machined. I'm just asking if I would be able to buy a newer cams off of say a wrecked bike that might have less where on it and then do the valve clearance adjustment based on the new used cams, I apologize if it is a stupid question but I think I am more curious than anything else

December 3rd, 2013, 11:32 AM	#3
alex.s wat Name: wat Location: tustin/long beach Join Date: Sep 2009 Motorcycle(s): wat Posts: Too much. Blog Entries: 5 MOTM - Oct '12, Feb '14	don't bother unless there is something wrong with it. __________________________________________________

December 3rd, 2013, 11:54 AM	#4
mikedabike64 ninjette.org guru Name: mike Location: jackson, nj Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 ninja 250 Posts: 271	ok thanks guys I get these stupid ideas in my head and it's nice to have sensible people to kick it around with

December 4th, 2013, 11:26 PM	#6
mikedabike64 ninjette.org guru Name: mike Location: jackson, nj Join Date: Jun 2009 Motorcycle(s): 2008 ninja 250 Posts: 271	ok thanks moto i thank you for the response

December 5th, 2013, 02:35 AM	#7
SteveL old git Name: Steve Location: Geneve Switzerland Join Date: Mar 2009 Motorcycle(s): BMW K1300S Posts: 479	If it works don't fix it. Steve __________________________________________________ Some mistakes are too much fun to make only once.

December 3rd, 2013, 11:17 AM	#2
jkv45 Rev Limiter Name: Jay Location: WI Join Date: Jul 2013 Motorcycle(s): '06 SV650n, '00 Derbi GPR, '64 CA77 Dream 305, '70 CL450 Scrambler, numerous dirt bikes Posts: A lot. MOTM - Jun '18, Oct '16	If it was maintained properly there shouldn't be any reason to replace the cams at that point. Take a look at the surface of the cams for damage (galling) from lack of oil or the wrong (auto) oil, but chances are they should be fine.

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