Timing, rockers and a bad day
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- Posts: 285
- Joined: Fri Aug 07, 2009 9:24 pm
- Location: Eliot, ME
- Motorcycle: 1983 GL1100 Interstate
Timing, rockers and a bad day
I changed the cam holder but kept the old rockers and cam. Now I cannot get # 1 intake to adjust to specs (timing) without the screw going all of the way in and the nut not able to stay on. I set and reset te timing marks, turned it over by hand and rechecked the timing.
I managed to start the bike and it backfired a ton and then died.
There is always the possibility I used the wrong cam-but ould that cause this?
Anyway, I would love some help.
Bob
I managed to start the bike and it backfired a ton and then died.
There is always the possibility I used the wrong cam-but ould that cause this?
Anyway, I would love some help.
Bob
- RBGERSON
- Posts: 3066
- Joined: Tue Mar 09, 2010 7:57 am
- Location: SCOTTSDALE, AZ
- Motorcycle: 98 SE GL 1500
had every year from 75 to 83
Re: Timing, rockers and a bad day
COULD BE WEAR PATTERN ISSUE on the cam holders with different cam...the two do wear together..and now yours haven't...???
HAD LOTS OF GOLDWING 75-83
NOW INTO 1500'S..RIDING A 1998 SE
FAIR WINDS,
RB
NOW INTO 1500'S..RIDING A 1998 SE
FAIR WINDS,
RB
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- Posts: 285
- Joined: Fri Aug 07, 2009 9:24 pm
- Location: Eliot, ME
- Motorcycle: 1983 GL1100 Interstate
Re: Timing, rockers and a bad day
Thank you for the reply!RBGERSON wrote:COULD BE WEAR PATTERN ISSUE on the cam holders with different cam...the two do wear together..and now yours haven't...???
That much though? Is that really possible? If so, should I put the other rockers and cam on that came with the holder?
What if I mixed up the cams and have the other came with my rockers?
Any other thoughts?
Bob
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- Posts: 75
- Joined: Tue Jul 15, 2014 11:29 pm
- Location: Brighton, Ontario
- Motorcycle: 1985 GL1200 Aspencade
1982 GS400E Suzuki
2009 CBR 125R HRC colors (daughter's bike)
1982 GL1100 Interstate
Re: Timing, rockers and a bad day
I have never pulled one of these apart, but in looking at a couple of pics, could you have forgotten the shell bearings? That would explain why the adjusters need to be so far 'out' , the cam itself is sitting and turning in the casting, not on bearings.
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- Posts: 285
- Joined: Fri Aug 07, 2009 9:24 pm
- Location: Eliot, ME
- Motorcycle: 1983 GL1100 Interstate
Re: Timing, rockers and a bad day
I didn't see any shell bearings?
I was wondering if the timing could be off 180 degrees-although I did secure the other side and have the timing mark lined up before I began.
I was wondering if the timing could be off 180 degrees-although I did secure the other side and have the timing mark lined up before I began.
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- Posts: 75
- Joined: Tue Jul 15, 2014 11:29 pm
- Location: Brighton, Ontario
- Motorcycle: 1985 GL1200 Aspencade
1982 GS400E Suzuki
2009 CBR 125R HRC colors (daughter's bike)
1982 GL1100 Interstate
Re: Timing, rockers and a bad day
180 off could account for the maximum backfire effect... on the other hand, is it possible that you have the cam switched end for end? Like I said, I've never pulled one of these down, but it seems to me that it's an assembly issue, or a totally wrong cam for the purpose. Are you sure the year/model is exactly the same on the replacement? Could a different year be a smaller diameter lobe with longer push rods? Just brainstorming here.... I've been there on other stuff, and it usually turns out to be incredibly simple when I was looking for complicated.
Phil
Phil
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- Posts: 75
- Joined: Tue Jul 15, 2014 11:29 pm
- Location: Brighton, Ontario
- Motorcycle: 1985 GL1200 Aspencade
1982 GS400E Suzuki
2009 CBR 125R HRC colors (daughter's bike)
1982 GL1100 Interstate
Re: Timing, rockers and a bad day
Just occured to me..... could you be using a left side cam with a right side head or vice-versa? That might account for it.
Phil

Phil
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- Posts: 285
- Joined: Fri Aug 07, 2009 9:24 pm
- Location: Eliot, ME
- Motorcycle: 1983 GL1100 Interstate
Re: Timing, rockers and a bad day
pixel288 wrote:Just occured to me..... could you be using a left side cam with a right side head or vice-versa? That might account for it.
Thanks Phil.
The left and right are not interchangeable. The right side is longer and moves the tach and fuel pump.
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Phil