finished my valve job!

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Lance Coligan
Posts: 3
Joined: Wed Jul 28, 2004 12:24 pm

cylinder head

Post by Lance Coligan » Wed Jul 28, 2004 1:24 pm

The cylinder on my KLR 650 head is worn at the cam shaft holder. Is there anywhere that can machine this area modify it and add bearings or some other softer metal shims at the contacts. I have heard that there is a company that will do it for XR's. --------------------------------- Do you Yahoo!? New and Improved Yahoo! Mail - Send 10MB messages! [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

James L. Miller Jr.
Posts: 717
Joined: Wed Jun 20, 2001 6:17 am

cylinder head

Post by James L. Miller Jr. » Wed Jul 28, 2004 1:44 pm

Normally I'd tell you to trash the head. This is a common occurance with the KLR head and until you mentioned it, no one did KLR head rebuilds that I know of. They bought new/used in good shape and went from there. Take the head to them, see if they can. You'll be the first, and guaranteed not the last to have the treatment done. Let us know if they can, cost and where they're located. I'm sure there are several out there that need it. millerized -- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, Lance Coligan wrote:
> The cylinder on my KLR 650 head is worn at the cam shaft holder.
Is there anywhere that can machine this area modify it and add bearings or some other softer metal shims at the contacts.
> > I have heard that there is a company that will do it for XR's. > > > --------------------------------- > Do you Yahoo!? > New and Improved Yahoo! Mail - Send 10MB messages! > > [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Devon
Posts: 933
Joined: Sun Jun 03, 2001 7:13 pm

cylinder head

Post by Devon » Wed Jul 28, 2004 1:44 pm

I think it's Megacycle, that will do a roller bearing conversion for XR heads. Or maybe they'll just fit shell bearings and then re-linebore the head. It would be interesting to see how much this would cost- as it stands, if you bugger a cam bearing cap you have to replace the entire top end. Devon psulsu8598@... wrote:
>The cylinder on my KLR 650 head is worn at the cam shaft holder. Is there anywhere that can machine this area modify it and add bearings or some other softer metal shims at the contacts. > >I have heard that there is a company that will do it for XR's. > > >

Krgrife@aol.com
Posts: 806
Joined: Thu Apr 06, 2000 9:32 pm

cylinder head

Post by Krgrife@aol.com » Wed Jul 28, 2004 2:41 pm

In a message dated 7/28/04 11:45:35 AM Pacific Daylight Time, bigfatgreenbike@... writes:
> I think it's Megacycle, that will do a roller bearing conversion for XR > heads. Or maybe they'll just fit shell bearings and then re-linebore the > head. > > It would be interesting to see how much this would cost- as it stands, > if you bugger a cam bearing cap you have to replace the entire top end.
I just had a conversation about this with a company called Engine Dynamics in Petaluma, Ca-not very far from Megacycle which is in Santa Rosa. I am taking a head to them next week when I'm up that way to see if it can be repaired, they say they can repair plain bearing cam journals within certain limits and quoted me a very reasonable $95.00 to do so. I was referred to them by a well known race engine shop so I suspect they know what they're doing. After I go there I'll report back with the results. Regards Kurt Grife [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Keith Saltzer
Posts: 1071
Joined: Thu Jul 24, 2003 10:03 pm

cylinder head

Post by Keith Saltzer » Wed Jul 28, 2004 4:11 pm

> I just had a conversation about this with a company called Engine
Dynamics in
> Petaluma, Ca-not very far from Megacycle which is in Santa Rosa.
Santa Rosa?! Petaluma?! Now you are talking about MY stomping grounds.
>I am taking > a head to them next week when I'm up that way to see if it can be
repaired,
> they say they can repair plain bearing cam journals within certain
limits and
> quoted me a very reasonable $95.00 to do so. I was referred to
them by a well
> known race engine shop
Yes, the guy at Engine Dynamics is on top of things, has alot of experience, and is a very nice and helpful guy. I had him do the head on my GSXR 750 that I sold to get my KLR. He does alot of bike motor work too. Partly because he works on alot of the bike motors that guys are buying up to stick into there carts for racing. You will be happy with his work I'm sure. MrMoose A8 (Barbie and Ken special)

dumbazz650
Posts: 457
Joined: Sat Mar 29, 2003 10:18 pm

cylinder head

Post by dumbazz650 » Wed Jul 28, 2004 7:02 pm

--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, Krgrife@a... wrote:
> In a message dated 7/28/04 11:45:35 AM Pacific Daylight Time, > bigfatgreenbike@n... writes: > > > > I think it's Megacycle, that will do a roller bearing conversion
for XR
> > heads. Or maybe they'll just fit shell bearings and then re-
linebore the
> > head. > > > > It would be interesting to see how much this would cost- as it
stands,
> > if you bugger a cam bearing cap you have to replace the entire
top end.
> > I just had a conversation about this with a company called Engine
Dynamics in
> Petaluma, Ca-not very far from Megacycle which is in Santa Rosa. I
am taking
> a head to them next week when I'm up that way to see if it can be
repaired,
> they say they can repair plain bearing cam journals within certain
limits and
> quoted me a very reasonable $95.00 to do so. I was referred to
them by a well
> known race engine shop so I suspect they know what they're doing.
After I go
> there I'll report back with the results. > Regards > Kurt Grife
Good work Kurt. In principle this would address the issue of screwed up journals in either the head or the cam caps. Do keep us posted, I have at least one engine that will need this done, and $95 would be much cheaper than a new head. Do you have to send in the cams with the head, or just the head/caps/bolts? Thank you, Mark

Krgrife@aol.com
Posts: 806
Joined: Thu Apr 06, 2000 9:32 pm

cylinder head

Post by Krgrife@aol.com » Wed Jul 28, 2004 8:00 pm

In a message dated 7/28/04 5:15:01 PM Pacific Daylight Time, MBAKARICH@... writes:
> Good work Kurt. In principle this would address the issue of screwed > up journals in either the head or the cam caps. Do keep us posted, I > have at least one engine that will need this done, and $95 would be > much cheaper than a new head. > > Do you have to send in the cams with the head, or just the > head/caps/bolts?
I spoke with them again today about the process, they build up the journals and then remachine them. The problem can be if the caps are damaged since they don't weld very well, the guy I spoke to thinks the caps are not as good material as the head itself but my understanding is that as long as the caps aren't cracked they can generally be repaired. He also brought up the possibility that new caps could be machined at reasonable cost if there is sufficient demand. I'm going to be there Saturday with a list of questions and will let the list know what I find out. Kurt [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Krgrife@aol.com
Posts: 806
Joined: Thu Apr 06, 2000 9:32 pm

cylinder head

Post by Krgrife@aol.com » Wed Jul 28, 2004 8:03 pm

In a message dated 7/28/04 2:46:00 PM Pacific Daylight Time, k.saltzer@... writes:
> Yes, the guy at Engine Dynamics is on top of things, has alot of > experience, and is a very nice and helpful guy.
Yes, that is certainly my impression from our phone conversations. I'm looking forward to meeting him and seeing his shop. Kurt [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]

Mike Torst
Posts: 1269
Joined: Fri Jan 30, 2004 1:39 pm

cylinder head

Post by Mike Torst » Thu Jul 29, 2004 12:03 am

Hey, if the head is that bad, maybe a composite deal - new cams, Springs/retainers/keepers package? Maybe not - OK, port work; raise the intake roof and raise the intake floor, the usual stuff; and the exhaust - please.... Dang, where is the ((((pulse))).... Mike Torst Las Vegas PS mark - the tools - any update? -----Original Message----- From: dumbazz650 [mailto:MBAKARICH@...] Sent: Wednesday, July 28, 2004 5:02 PM To: DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com Subject: [DSN_klr650] Re: cylinder Head
--- In DSN_klr650@yahoogroups.com, Krgrife@a... wrote: > In a message dated 7/28/04 11:45:35 AM Pacific Daylight Time, > bigfatgreenbike@n... writes: > > > > I think it's Megacycle, that will do a roller bearing conversion for XR > > heads. Or maybe they'll just fit shell bearings and then re- linebore the > > head. > > > > It would be interesting to see how much this would cost- as it stands, > > if you bugger a cam bearing cap you have to replace the entire top end. > > I just had a conversation about this with a company called Engine Dynamics in > Petaluma, Ca-not very far from Megacycle which is in Santa Rosa. I am taking > a head to them next week when I'm up that way to see if it can be repaired, > they say they can repair plain bearing cam journals within certain limits and > quoted me a very reasonable $95.00 to do so. I was referred to them by a well > known race engine shop so I suspect they know what they're doing. After I go > there I'll report back with the results. > Regards > Kurt Grife Good work Kurt. In principle this would address the issue of screwed up journals in either the head or the cam caps. Do keep us posted, I have at least one engine that will need this done, and $95 would be much cheaper than a new head. Do you have to send in the cams with the head, or just the head/caps/bolts? Thank you, Mark List sponsored by Dual Sport News at www.dualsportnews.com. List FAQ courtesy of Chris Krok at: www.bigcee.com/klr650faq.html Unsubscribe by sending a blank message to: DSN_klr650-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com . Yahoo! Groups Links

Ed Chait
Posts: 182
Joined: Sat Apr 09, 2005 10:34 pm

finished my valve job!

Post by Ed Chait » Sat May 13, 2006 11:54 pm

Got my shims in from Fred and finished my valve job today. I carefully followed the instructions on MarkNet and everything went quite well. The hardest part of the whole procedure was actually maneuvering the valve cover out from underneath the frame tube. Took me about 15 minutes to get it out. Fortunately, it was *much* easier to get it back on. The cam caps were also a bit difficult to remove and get back on, but I was patient and kept the hammer safely in the drawer:). I checked the clearances with the new shims before buttoning everything back up and they were spot-on what I was shooting for at the loose end of the spec. Went for a ride this evening and the bike runs really well. I haven't ridden it much since I got it because I knew the previous owner had not done the 500 mile valve adjustment and I didn't want to damage anything. At 2100 miles, three out of four valves were right at the tight end of spec and in definite need of adjustment. Bike now idles much better and seems to have more power also. I'm going to be putting a whole lot more miles on my KLR now! ed A17

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