Cam Sprocket Removal - help!
- young Cruiser
- Rookie
- Posts: 22
- Joined: Sun May 01, 2005 4:49 am
- Sex: Male
Cam Sprocket Removal - help!
Hi Guys
Is there a way to remove the cam sprocket form the engine head after the engine head has been removed?
I wanted to inspect the valve seals on my TW200 and went through the whole disassembly routine but in error I skipped the part about holding the crankshaft to loosen the cam sprocket bolt etc. I was able to slip the can chain off because it was very loose.
Now the engine head and the cam chain are off and I realise I need to change both intake & exhaust valves, tappet adjuster screws, valve retainers etc. because they are severely damaged.
Is this at all possible or do I have to put the engine head back on and the can chain as well?
Is there a way to remove the cam sprocket form the engine head after the engine head has been removed?
I wanted to inspect the valve seals on my TW200 and went through the whole disassembly routine but in error I skipped the part about holding the crankshaft to loosen the cam sprocket bolt etc. I was able to slip the can chain off because it was very loose.
Now the engine head and the cam chain are off and I realise I need to change both intake & exhaust valves, tappet adjuster screws, valve retainers etc. because they are severely damaged.
Is this at all possible or do I have to put the engine head back on and the can chain as well?
97' Vulcan 500 LTD
00' TW200
Still trying to decide what I love most... Marriage or my Bikes!
ssshhhhh don't tell the wife.
00' TW200
Still trying to decide what I love most... Marriage or my Bikes!
ssshhhhh don't tell the wife.
- BuzZz
- Site Supporter - Platinum
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- Joined: Sat Mar 20, 2004 12:02 am
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- Years Riding: 47
- My Motorcycle: makes my 'nads tingle
- Location: Buttfluck Nowhere, Manitoba
You need to get creative and figure a way to hold the cam sprocket from turning without wrecking anything. Are you changing the cam chain? If you are, you can use the old chain to make a chain wrench with some scrap materials if you try hard enough. You may be able to use a strap wrench around the sprocket to hold it while you back the nut off.
Truth is, it's easier for me to just grab it and do it than it is for me to imagine scenarios for you to try. I can bust my nut, but your gonna have to work out the best way to bust your own nut.

Truth is, it's easier for me to just grab it and do it than it is for me to imagine scenarios for you to try. I can bust my nut, but your gonna have to work out the best way to bust your own nut.


No Witnesses.... 

- young Cruiser
- Rookie
- Posts: 22
- Joined: Sun May 01, 2005 4:49 am
- Sex: Male
Hi BuzZz,
Thanks, I'll try it but the nut is so darn stuck.
Yesterday I'm sure I sprained something in my shoulder trying to get it off.
I have to order some parts so I'll have a few days to spare and tinker with it. If no other way works I'll put the head back on I guess.
I can really feel my age (35) and busting this nut isn't as easy as I thought.
Thanks again.
Thanks, I'll try it but the nut is so darn stuck.

Yesterday I'm sure I sprained something in my shoulder trying to get it off.
I have to order some parts so I'll have a few days to spare and tinker with it. If no other way works I'll put the head back on I guess.
I can really feel my age (35) and busting this nut isn't as easy as I thought.
Thanks again.
97' Vulcan 500 LTD
00' TW200
Still trying to decide what I love most... Marriage or my Bikes!
ssshhhhh don't tell the wife.
00' TW200
Still trying to decide what I love most... Marriage or my Bikes!
ssshhhhh don't tell the wife.
- BuzZz
- Site Supporter - Platinum
- Posts: 4726
- Joined: Sat Mar 20, 2004 12:02 am
- Real Name: Never Used Here
- Sex: Male
- Years Riding: 47
- My Motorcycle: makes my 'nads tingle
- Location: Buttfluck Nowhere, Manitoba
O.K. now, I have no direct knowledge of that model bike, so make dam sure that isn't a reverse thread nut on there. Depending on the direction of rotation of the cam, it is possible they did that to prevent loosening over time, since if the nut spins counter clockwise the vibes and centrifugal forces tend to tighten the nut, rather than loosen it.
Got a service manual for that thing yet? Sounds like it from your first post. It should tell you in there if it is a reverse thread or not.
Got a service manual for that thing yet? Sounds like it from your first post. It should tell you in there if it is a reverse thread or not.
No Witnesses.... 

- young Cruiser
- Rookie
- Posts: 22
- Joined: Sun May 01, 2005 4:49 am
- Sex: Male
- young Cruiser
- Rookie
- Posts: 22
- Joined: Sun May 01, 2005 4:49 am
- Sex: Male
Buzzz
The shop manual is no help; it just says to tighten the bolt (Cam sprocket) while holding the crankshaft. Nothing that says tighten clockwise or anti-clockwise.
I'm bloody screwed.
The shop manual is no help; it just says to tighten the bolt (Cam sprocket) while holding the crankshaft. Nothing that says tighten clockwise or anti-clockwise.
I'm bloody screwed.

97' Vulcan 500 LTD
00' TW200
Still trying to decide what I love most... Marriage or my Bikes!
ssshhhhh don't tell the wife.
00' TW200
Still trying to decide what I love most... Marriage or my Bikes!
ssshhhhh don't tell the wife.
- Skier
- Site Supporter - Platinum
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- Joined: Sat Aug 07, 2004 10:44 am
- Sex: Male
- Location: Pullman, WA, USA
Some cams have a flat spot on them where you can put a crescent wrench over to prevent turning. Perhaps your cam(s) have such a spot.
Do you have enough room to clamp the sprocket in a vice and hit the bolts with an impact gun?
Do you have enough room to clamp the sprocket in a vice and hit the bolts with an impact gun?
[url=http://www.motoblag.com/blag/]Practicing the dark and forgotten art of using turn signals since '98.[/url]
- young Cruiser
- Rookie
- Posts: 22
- Joined: Sun May 01, 2005 4:49 am
- Sex: Male
Hi Guys
Well, I took some time today and put the engine head back on as I am fully recovered from my injury. I wasn't kidding when I said I tore something in my shoulder last week!! I really did. Should have put the head back on in the first place; much easier
GOOD NEWS!!... I got the bolt off the cam sprocket
Here's a pic of the engine after I took off the head..

Another photo showing the cam sprocket off.

I now have to take out the rocker arm shafts (yellow arrow) but I don't have the right tool. The manual says I need a Slide Hammer Bolt & Weight. Costs $130 +
How does the slide hammer & weight work?
Is it a push & pull thing or just a pull out action?
Is there another way to get it out?
I see that there are some threads in the shaft too.
young cruiser
Well, I took some time today and put the engine head back on as I am fully recovered from my injury. I wasn't kidding when I said I tore something in my shoulder last week!! I really did. Should have put the head back on in the first place; much easier

GOOD NEWS!!... I got the bolt off the cam sprocket

Here's a pic of the engine after I took off the head..

Another photo showing the cam sprocket off.

I now have to take out the rocker arm shafts (yellow arrow) but I don't have the right tool. The manual says I need a Slide Hammer Bolt & Weight. Costs $130 +

How does the slide hammer & weight work?
Is it a push & pull thing or just a pull out action?
Is there another way to get it out?
I see that there are some threads in the shaft too.
young cruiser
97' Vulcan 500 LTD
00' TW200
Still trying to decide what I love most... Marriage or my Bikes!
ssshhhhh don't tell the wife.
00' TW200
Still trying to decide what I love most... Marriage or my Bikes!
ssshhhhh don't tell the wife.
Slide hammer and usage.
Do you have someplace you can borrow one from? A slide hammer is just about as basic as you can get, I can't imagine paying $130 for one.
Do you have someplace you can borrow one from? A slide hammer is just about as basic as you can get, I can't imagine paying $130 for one.
'07 Suzuki V-Strom DL650
An armed man is a citizen, an unarmed man is a subject.
Molon Labe!!!
An armed man is a citizen, an unarmed man is a subject.
Molon Labe!!!