TOG@Toil, chateau.murray@btinternet.com,

JB wrote:

>
> There are _2_ bearings on _each_ end of the cam. Are you sure it's only one
> of the pair which is knackered?
> I would be worried at this point. I've never, ever, ever heard of one of the
> cam bearings being damaged in an XS650. *Ever*. (I have
> owned/maintained/rebuilt/tuned/blown-up/rebuilt 14 XS650s over the years).

It depends - if the oil leak was really bad before I got it (the
previous owner had sealed the points housing/cover joint with gunge to
disguise it, then who knows how long it had been running with not
enough lube getting to the bearings? I didn't check the bearing because
I know the seals have a reputation for failing and so I just bunged a
new one in. But obviously, if the end of the cam is wobbling in the
bearing, it'll destroy a new seal fairly quickly.
>

> It is always easier to remove the engine but it is just possible to remove
> the 'rocker box' in situ. You *will* lose some flesh in the process though
> and I challenge you to put it back on without scraping off your carefully
> applied Blue Hylomar (or gasket goo of choice) off the gasket surfaces.
> It's also worth noting that when you remove the head nuts, you'll be
> relieving pressure on the head and base gaskets. These *will* leak
> afterwards. Just do it properly and strip/rebuild the top end. Certainly lap
> the valves in and change the guide oil seals. At least you know it's all
> sorted then. There's nothing worse than a small but highly visible oil leak
> on an otherwise pristine machine.

Fair comment.

'Hog

TOG@Toil wrote:
> JB wrote:
>
>>
>> There are _2_ bearings on _each_ end of the cam. Are you sure it's
>> only one of the pair which is knackered?
>> I would be worried at this point. I've never, ever, ever heard of
>> one of the cam bearings being damaged in an XS650. *Ever*. (I have
>> owned/maintained/rebuilt/tuned/blown-up/rebuilt 14 XS650s over the
>> years).
>
> It depends - if the oil leak was really bad before I got it (the
> previous owner had sealed the points housing/cover joint with gunge to
> disguise it, then who knows how long it had been running with not
> enough lube getting to the bearings? I didn't check the bearing
> because I know the seals have a reputation for failing and so I just
> bunged a new one in. But obviously, if the end of the cam is wobbling
> in the bearing, it'll destroy a new seal fairly quickly.
>>
>
>> It is always easier to remove the engine but it is just possible to
>> remove the 'rocker box' in situ. You *will* lose some flesh in the
>> process though and I challenge you to put it back on without
>> scraping off your carefully applied Blue Hylomar (or gasket goo of
>> choice) off the gasket surfaces. It's also worth noting that when
>> you remove the head nuts, you'll be relieving pressure on the head
>> and base gaskets. These *will* leak afterwards. Just do it properly
>> and strip/rebuild the top end. Certainly lap the valves in and
>> change the guide oil seals. At least you know it's all sorted then.
>> There's nothing worse than a small but highly visible oil leak on an
>> otherwise pristine machine.
>
> Fair comment.

Well I ordered all 4 bearings, no point in replacing 1 as only a tenner
each. Also a full gasket set and soft link for the camchain. I'll have
the head and barrels bead or vapor blasted and take the engine out the
frame anyway to freshen up the chassis paint. While I'm at it any bits
of suffering chrome will get restored.

The cam cover looks as if it was painted black at some time, what would
be original? and I assume it is meant to have a gasket compound applied
on reassembly?

--
'Hog
'96 Bastard B12 '89 R100RS '81 XS650 '78 RD400

The Older Gentleman

'Hog <hogSPAM&@freenetCHIPS.co.uk> wrote:

> The cam cover looks as if it was painted black at some time, what would
> be original? and I assume it is meant to have a gasket compound applied
> on reassembly?

Original is plain metal. A gasket compound is desirable, yes.

Did Richard deliver the new silencers?



--
Trophy 1200 750SS CB400F CD250 x2
GAGARPHOF#30 GHPOTHUF#1 BOTAFOT#60 ANORAK#06 YTC#3
BOF#30 WUSS#5 The bells, the bells.....

'Hog

The Older Gentleman wrote:
> 'Hog <hogSPAM&@freenetCHIPS.co.uk> wrote:
>
>> The cam cover looks as if it was painted black at some time, what
>> would be original? and I assume it is meant to have a gasket
>> compound applied on reassembly?
>
> Original is plain metal. A gasket compound is desirable, yes.
>
> Did Richard deliver the new silencers?

Erm no but I've been in Dublin. I expect they will be in Bytel, ta.

--
'Hog
'96 Bastard B12 '89 R100RS '81 XS650 '78 RD400