I’d appreciate any help or thoughts on the following question.
Whilst dismantling my project 1985 VF1000F engine I noticed an unusual wear pattern on the teeth of the front cylinders camshaft sprockets. It only occurs at 12 o’clock and 6 o’clock on both sprockets, where the teeth have thinned and started to curve, it’s affecting approximately 5-6 teeth at each end. Has anyone come across this before? In addition the top of one of the front cylinders cam chain tensioners is damaged, I wonder if it could be related, it does seem some coincidence?
Hi Rory,good to have another Scot on board.
I’ve haven’t had personal experience of this problem,but it looks like a very slack/streched cam chain.The front guide that has the wear is just that,a guide,tension is taken up on the return run of the chain by the spring loaded tensioner.
Have you looked at the rear cylinders?Be interesting to see if you have the same problem there.
Let us know if we can help with parts,Teambif have a fair stock of bits and pieces
Best regards Bif
Many thanks for your thoughts, this matches the suggestion of an elderly motorcycling friend who felt a worn cam chain was the most likely culprit. The tensioners and cam sprockets from the rear cylinders are thankfully free of any similar issues.
I have managed to source a new/old stock cam chain guide to replace the damaged one, but I’m currently struggling to find a means to remove the two 8mm headed bolts that hold the tensioner in place. As you no doubt know, they live deep down the cam chain tunnel and they sit at an awkward angle, particularly the lower one. I’ve managed to just get onto the top bolt, but considering its size even with considerable force it’s not budging - presumably due to a thread lock. I’m coming to the conclusion that the best way to remove it would be to split the crankcases. Do you agree, or have you any suggestions? My main concern is not getting them off, but getting the bolts back onto the right thread, if I do get them off.
Whereabouts in Scotland are you? It would be great to catch up at some time.
Probably best to split the cases and fit an endless cam chain rather than a split one,from memory the guide is bolted to the lower half.
I’m down in Dumfries but will be at the Haggis Gathering auto jumble in Lanark on the 8th of February along with some other forum members.
Regards Bif
Well i thought it might be a cunning plan to pop over to wherever this Haggis auto jumble thingy was on the 8th Feb & have a mooch about & say hello, then Google told me you’d be 308 miles away so i don’t think I’m going to make it unfortunately
