Author Topic: Cam Wear & Cam Links  (Read 5869 times)

Offline speedwaymaniac

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Cam Wear & Cam Links
« on: March 08, 2010, 05:21:41 PM »
Guys and Gals,

Got two questions for you and im hoping some of you may be able to come up with some views.

1. Can a Bandit 600 K4 wear through a set of Camshafts in 20,000 miles with moderate use, and never running out of oil? I.e. Is this a likely scenario.
Further information: over the last 5000miles the bike has completed a high number of shorter journeys being 3 miles start to stop, though the bike is started and left to run for a minute or two before riding off, and rarely gets above 30MPH or 6000RPM, and on average the bike will complete ~130miles in a 7 day week not all of the journeys are short :-).

2. Has anyone used / heard of anybody that has used, or seen a review on the use of CAM links such as those shown on this image:
http://www.cjaccessories.co.uk/images/T/cam.jpg
From what I've read they are reportedly supposed to increase Oil flow to the Camshafts and rockers to keep them 'more adequately lubricated'.

Any views welcome as im simply after some advice.
JJ
'04 GSF 600 Bandit K4
'00 GSF 600 Bandit Y - Used for parts
'95 GSF 400 Bandit - smashed :'(

Offline Dragbike

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Re: Cam Wear & Cam Links
« Reply #1 on: March 09, 2010, 12:59:36 AM »
Well that setup is only about half right, if you are going to all that expense to install a "Top End Oiler" You might go ahead a get one with a feed line instead of that one that just equalizes oil between the cams. (front side of engine small braded line to supply the oil from the valve cover)
And if you notice this bike has a turbo on it......so no on a street bike with the full amount of oil you do not need a top end oiler, top end oilers are for like drag bikes with 3QT of oil and pulling a lot of G's. Kinda puts all the oil to the rear of the oil pan
Summery: top end oilers are mainly for high performance engines, but it will not hurt and maybe help a stock motor to have a top end oiler, 
and no it is not natural to have worn out cams @ 20,000 miles depending on the oil used how often you change your oil and what type of oil and the use/abuse this motor had had. What is the reason that you have bad cams?


01 Bandit 1200S
99 FLHTCUI Ultra Classic Electra Glide
89 GSXR 7/11 w/turbo
88 GSX600F Katana w/1127 :)
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Offline speedwaymaniac

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Re: Cam Wear & Cam Links
« Reply #2 on: March 09, 2010, 07:54:01 AM »
DragBike many thanks for your replies..

I took my stock Bandit in for a service at a "reputable" dealer here in the UK, and they have advised me that the Camshafts have "lipped". (although the description by the technician was more of a very deep score) Anyhow due to the bike being put back together i did not have the opportunity to check this diagnosis for myself and am simply after views as to whether this is likely.
The bike to my understanding had been well looked after and adequately serviced for ~15,500miles (previous owner) and had plenty of oil at the time of purchase. It has had an oil change at ~17,000 when i noticed a small leak from the oil cooler, which was replaced. (Oil level had not dropped below ~1/4 mark)
As mentioned there are a number of short journeys but the engine is looked after on those shorter journeys and not "Ragged" with an ~total of 130 miles completed in a 7day week.
I believe the oil being used is a semi-synthetic manufactured by Shell however exactly which type im unsure of.
JJ
'04 GSF 600 Bandit K4
'00 GSF 600 Bandit Y - Used for parts
'95 GSF 400 Bandit - smashed :'(