Cams

Hi,

I have a new cam that was made by Karl (...here in Aus) to go into my new bike...don't know the specs until I degree it when I put the engine together. He also supplied a sprocket with differing holes for the locating pin so that I can vary the timing incrementally. A good idea. He colour codes the holes and gives you a list of the various changes the holes make to the timing.

Karl said to me that he designed the lobes to control the valves so that you don't require heavy springs...he indicated that I could fit stronger inners, but only if I was concerned. I have seen some of his engines and they are fairly quick...Unfortunately he doesn't do these cams anymore as far as I know.

My mate Mark has a Megacycle cam, mid range one. his bike pulls 17/40 gearing well and sounds like its hardly working as he comes past. All of the Megacycle cams require springs as well and they sell them to you with the cam if you want. Looking at the catalogue Mark's is probably a 251-30 or 251-40..I'll check to see if he remembers still...he's getting older so???....heh, heh...payback's a pregnant dog...

All of the cams require setting up and clearance checking etc. as well...as you probably know...

These Johnson cams interest me. I had heard of the roller cams for the TT/XT/SR's years ago but never seen one...anyone here actually seen one of these? Any pics?

SR

Cams seem to be an area where lots of people are having trouble finding a reliable good quality solution?? Is there a demand for some good quality Cams guys??? I get asked a lot if i can get them.... I would appreciate some feed back and thoughts....Is the quality of the cam chain considered when building high comp engines, with high lift cams?
I bought an engine recently which had a cam from a local reproducer, it was not hardened correctly (was an exchange cam) and as a result detroyed a big dollar eng as the cam fell apart!! Personally i now prefer quality cams as a result of that.

How the cam works with the stock comp is all dependant on the profile as is weather or not you need upgraded springs. Cams with a higher lift tend to work at high revs better and usually springs are required for the added stress of high RPMs, lesser lift cams (better profile than stock) can be run with stock compression and no springs as they probably wont see 9000rpm all day. Dont waste time putting in a cam with 12mm of lift if you dont mod the engine (higher compression etc), and dont spend dollars on big dollar springs if its a mild cam... There is a lot of combinations and profiles and you need to think out what you are planning on doing with your bike in terms of riding, and look at the rest of your components like intake system and carby, exhaust etc... lots of variables and many options and thoughts on the subject. No simple answer but i would suggest think past the cam and see what else is going to be effected by the operation and if your budget can cope with any needed upgrades to match the fitting of the cam chosen. If not rethink the cam choice.

You lucky lil' Vegemite havin' a spare engin'. Always handy! ;D

Rgdz
CL

All sounds very impressive, Quietening ramps, I would like to know what that is about??? (unlike the oppisition). When i see "hardweld" "regrind" "exchange" "dyno proven by Jim bob" I now run the other way..... (No offence to any one here who is making cams). I've seen too many cams come out engines that have not been hardened correctly, they get a hard time with poor oil flow in the top end (unless modified) I would pay the extra 100 bucks and save on another engine rebuild 5000k later....