SuzukiSavage.com - Camshaft viewing window?

Bobbert Serious Thumper Offline CHOP IT Posts: 836 Los Angeles, CA Gender:	Camshaft viewing window? 08/21/11 at 21:42:19 I always thought it would be neat and extremely practical to replace the black rubber plug at the end of the camshaft with a clear window akin to the oil level window. I want to look into high heat plastic, glass, or ceramic that could be custom made. Is this a pipedream?
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verslagen1 YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline Where there's a will, I want to be in it. Posts: 28886 L.A. California Gender:	Re: Camshaft viewing window? Reply #1 - 08/21/11 at 21:49:47 had the same idea. you might just need to rtv it in place.
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Gyrobob

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Re: Camshaft viewing window?
Reply #2 - 08/22/11 at 08:17:20

Bobbert wrote on 08/21/11 at 21:42:19:

I always thought it would be neat and extremely practical to replace the black rubber plug at the end of the camshaft with a clear window akin to the oil level window. I want to look into high heat plastic, glass, or ceramic that could be custom made.

Is this a pipedream? Huh

Cool idea.

I'd use a glass something like what is used in Pyrex glass cooking stuff. I'll bet you can find that kind of thing -- the problem might be that you'd have to buy $100 bucks worth at a time. Maybe just get a Pyrex cooking dish and smash it. Sand one of the larger chunks down to the exact shape you need.

High heat RTV should hold it into place, like V suggested.

What would you see through the window when the motor is running?

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bill67 Serious Thumper Offline old tired Posts: 8517 genoa city wisconsin Gender:	Re: Camshaft viewing window? Reply #3 - 08/22/11 at 08:33:13 would you view that with your kick stand up or down
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Oldfeller--FSO

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Re: Camshaft viewing window?
Reply #4 - 08/22/11 at 08:37:01

With a timing light set on the spark plug you would see "relative advance/retard of the camshaft" relative to the firing cycle off the notch mark on the cam to the flat of the case halves.

You'd also see a half-circle (plus a bit) of solid oil as there is supposed to be a flow of oil through the center of the camshaft, so it might make judging the notch position to the case halves kinda "iffy".

You'd be able to time how long it takes for oil to reach the outermost cam bearing journal .....

Wink

It would look cool, and would be a distinctive detail point for your bike compared to all others ....

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Gyrobob Serious Thumper Offline Posers ain't motorcyclists Posts: 2571 Newnan, GA Gender:	Re: Camshaft viewing window? Reply #5 - 08/22/11 at 08:40:14 Oldfeller--FSO wrote on 08/22/11 at 08:37:01: With a timing light set on the spark plug you would see "relative advance/retard of the camshaft" relative to the firing cycle. That could be handy.
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Oldfeller--FSO Serious Thumper ModSquad Offline Hobby is now "concentrated neuropany" Posts: 12672 Fayetteville, NC Gender:	Re: Camshaft viewing window? Reply #6 - 08/22/11 at 08:48:18 You'd be able to see your cam oscillating around in the cam journal bearing clearance .... (for some, that could be educational)
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verslagen1

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Re: Camshaft viewing window?
Reply #7 - 08/22/11 at 09:12:04

Gyrobob wrote on 08/22/11 at 08:17:20:

What would you see through the window when the motor is running?[/size]

Well normally you'd see a couple of marks wizzing around like clothes in a dryer.
Paint the marks white and use a timing light and you'd see how much spark advance you'd got
But with engine off, set the crank precisely at TDC, measure the angle the marks are off and you'll know how much chain stretch you have.

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arteacher Serious Thumper Offline Ride as if your naked and invisable! Posts: 2581 London ontario Gender:	Re: Camshaft viewing window? Reply #8 - 08/22/11 at 11:23:23 bill67 wrote on 08/22/11 at 08:33:13: would you view that with your kick stand up or down
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MotoBuddha Serious Thumper Offline Let's roll! Posts: 1416 Charlotte, NC	Re: Camshaft viewing window? Reply #9 - 08/22/11 at 17:14:59 Anyone know a lens grinder? Anyone have a wad of money?
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markbacon YaBB Newbies Offline I love YaBB 1G - SP1! Posts: 41 New Zealand Gender:	Re: Camshaft viewing window? Reply #10 - 08/22/11 at 17:57:53 With the engine stopped and at TDC you'd be able to gauge cam chain wear from timing marks on end of camshaft - so many degrees away from level = time to change cam chain.
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Boofer Serious Thumper Offline Nearly too old. Posts: 1760 N Ms Gender:	Re: Camshaft viewing window? Reply #11 - 08/22/11 at 18:36:48 There was a 4cyl 1930s car engine cut open so you could watch it run. I can't find it now. Anyone know what I mean? I'd like to see it again if someone could dig it up. Cool video.
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Gyrobob Serious Thumper Offline Posers ain't motorcyclists Posts: 2571 Newnan, GA Gender:	Re: Camshaft viewing window? Reply #12 - 08/22/11 at 19:37:38 MotoBuddha wrote on 08/22/11 at 17:14:59: Anyone know a lens grinder? Anyone have a wad of money? We don't need no stinkin' lens grinders! Just find a chunk of the stuff and sand it to shape.
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verslagen1 YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline Where there's a will, I want to be in it. Posts: 28886 L.A. California Gender:	Re: Camshaft viewing window? Reply #13 - 08/22/11 at 20:10:24 what do you sand it with? and... I wouldn't want to cut pipe thread in the cam port, but sure is interesting. Maybe you could think of another place.
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verslagen1 YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline Where there's a will, I want to be in it. Posts: 28886 L.A. California Gender:	Re: Camshaft viewing window? Reply #14 - 08/22/11 at 22:28:42 I can find 2" diameter glass about a 1/4" thick for a buck or 2. I also found 35mm x 6mm borosilicate somewhere between 2 and 10 bucks.
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