I didn't have to force anything. I was able to be as
gentle as a brain surgeon. The cams lifted up about an
inch on the right side without forcing anything. I
know I forgot to loosen the camchain tensioner but I
seriously doubt I did any serious damage. I never used
enough force to bend or break antyhing. But thanks for
the warning. I've been letting the KLR sit for about
two weeks to let the impatience and frustration of
having a new (used) bike that doesn't run wear off
before I did any more work on it. Plus the daily grind
has been heavy, extracurricular activites are
demanding free time, and when I do get time, I'd
rather ride one of my other two bikes. But, I'll get
this KLR back up and running. There's no way I can
abuse it as much as it's been abused at the hands of
the two DPO's.
--- a14@... wrote:
> OUCH! If you removed the cam caps and lifted the
> cams without
> removing the spring of the tensioner first the
> tensioner will
> ratchet tighter than it is supposed to be causing
> you to have
> to force the cams back in place and possible bendage
> or breakage
> of valve timing related components. You need to
> check the cam
> timing carefully and check for slop if something is
> bent or broken.
> Also the possibility of bent valves. Not trying to
> scare you - just
> the facts. It can be fixed. Make sure you know
> what you are doing
> before you cause more damage.
>
> Walt (was hoping you were just the victim of a bad
> battery)
>
>
> -------------- Original message from Ian Francisco
> : --------------
> > Norm said:
> >
> > Camshaft timing will, of course, be critical. Was
> the
> > cam chain removed
> > or not tensioned? Otherwise it is hard to imagine
> how
> > cam timing could
> > slip out of time.
> >
> > Thanks Norm. No, the camchain tensioner was not
> > removed or loosened for the valve adjustment. I
> was
> > able to get the shims out without removing the
> > camshafts, just the caps, and lifting the cams up
> an
> > inch or so then fishing the shims out with a small
>
> > flat blade screwdriver to break the seal and lift
> it
> > up far enough to get a grip with curved needle
> nose
> > pliers. There were three 275 shims and one 270
> > installed. Had to use a 250 shim on the left
> exhaust
> > valve to get .20mm of clearance. I think the
> > clearances may have never been checked in 23k
> miles.
> > From what I gather from my observations of the
> > untouched fasteners on this engine, the story the
> > seller told me, and the odo readings on the docs,
> it
> > appears this bike may have been purchased new by
> > someone in the San Diego area, ridden around Baja
> > Mexico for 23k miles without much maintenance
> beyond
> > oil changes and tires, somehow managing to crack
> the
> > backbone without breaking the subframe bolts, then
>
> > unloaded the bike on the kid who sold it to me,
> who
> > was not able to get it running tight, did only 500
>
> > miles in 6 mos. and may have cracked the frame
> himself
> > as he was an extra large young man. In my lust for
> a
> > KLR I did not carefully examine the bike and
> thought I
> > was getting a decent runner in need of a carb
> clean
> > for a fairly cheap price of $1600. It now appears
> that
> > I will have to completely go thru the bike from
> stem
> > to stern, do the neglected maintenance and
> rejuvenate
> > it before I can contemplate venturing very far off
> the
> > beaten track with it. And I should probably add
> > motorcycle coverage to my tow service! Once
> bitten,
> > twice shy. My last two bikes, an '80 GS450 and a
> '91
> > VX800 have never left me stranded in 25k miles
> over
> > the last two years. This A14 will get its chance
> to
> > prove itself reliable! And I will learn the finer
> > points of frame welding and top end rebuilding if
> > needed...
> >
> > Thanks again for the comments and suggestions!
> >
> > Respectfully yours,
> >
> > Ian
> >
>
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