TOPIC:

Hi guys

I am trying to measure my valve clearances on my kz550Spectre.
My manual says to make the measurement with the cam lobes directly opposed to the valve cups.
This works fine for all but two of the intake valves. There is absolutely no clearance when they are in that position, which leads me to Conclude that i should re-shim. However, when the valves are slightly less than 180 degrees opposed to the cups there is clearance.
I am in doubt if i should re-shim or not.
I have made a sketch to illustrate the two scenarios.




Thanks in advance
Bedt regards Peter

Hmmm. That would cause me to suspect that the cam bearings are a bit worn, so that in the second situation there is a lobe at the other end of that cam pushing hard against a valve, causing the whole cam to rock just enough to close up an already too small gap. Seems like Zed1015 was making this very argument recently.

Do what it says in the manual. The cam might be worn there due to lack of oil. Think about it, when the cam turns with no clearance, the oil is wiped away and the cam/lifter has no lubrication at that point. Could also be cam slop. (bearing wear). A little loose is better than too tight.
Steve

Do it by the book with the lobe pointing directly away (180 degrees) from the shim.

Thanks guys

I will go by the book (180 degrees)

Best regards
Peter

Here are some notes and some drawings for Kz550 cam timing.
home.comcast.net/~loudgpz/GPZweb/CamsKZZ...KZZXZR550500400.html

TexasKZ is bang on. A lobe on the opposite side of the engine is in the opposite position pushing directly down on it's valve. Should i consider changing the camshaft bearings, if this is even possible ?

Ptl1987 wrote: TexasKZ is bang on. A lobe on the opposite side of the engine is in the opposite position pushing directly down on it's valve. Should i consider changing the camshaft bearings, if this is even possible ?

There are no bearings to replace. the cam runs direct in the head.
Just set the clearances as the manual states and leave it alone ,it will run just fine.

Thanks for the clarification, zed1015. I wasn't sure if the 550 has bearings or no. Either way there has to be a tiny bit of clearance around the cam journals to allow an oil film to form and I think the op is seeing all the tiny clearances magnified by a sort of teeter-totter effect. As you say, the factory procedure is always a safe bet.