06 FE550 Camshaft orientation in respect to sprocket

Iceburg · Jan 30, 2012

Hi All, I tried to get the head off my 06FE550 over the weekend and in a senior moment tried undoing the sprocket from the camshaft to endeavor to get the cam chain off without cutting it, I have since been told by the dealer I have to replace the camchain even though it has only done 35 hours. Is there a link I can get for it? and how do I get the sprocket back to the right orientation with the cam (have not gotten it off yet so if there is an obvious mark please accept my apologies!)
Is there a trick to getting the dots lined up for timing, i.e. do I have to take the LHS engine sidecover off to acheive this?
All help greatfully received!

Idle · Jan 30, 2012

I had my head off a while back, on my 05 650.

I just put it at TDC, and took some pictures. I was putting new valve springs and a camchain in. I put it back together and took a couple more pics to make sure it was right before riveting the cam chain. Be sure to tie some wire to the ends of the chain so it won't fall down in the case. The timing chain was less than $30 at the KTM dealer.

bergbro · Jan 30, 2012

Hiya bro.... 1. Yeah you can get a rivet link (must be correct for make of chain). Unfortunatly camchains are substantially more than $30 here in NZ but may pay to do it whilst you are there. My chain lasted for 150hrs ok but itsa pamperd 650. I believe the 550 revs harder so will kill a camchain quicker.

2. I would be tempted to put the bolts back in and do the cam sproket back up..... if you have not moved the sproket around the cam then its all good. just put it back where it was.

3. No trick for the timing.... just a procedure to follow. Search the DOC or mechanical threads as there are several discriptions of how to do it on here somewhere.
Bit of luck one of the boffins will chime in with a link to the info......

If you get stuck, feel free to PM me as I may be able to pop round and help.

Taffy · Jan 31, 2012

well you know my view: don't use a new link with an old chain....

good luck

regards

Taffy

keithzzr · Jan 31, 2012

hi all just put a new chain in they are so cheap only £14 for midwest in the uk

birdwoodburg · Feb 2, 2012

TAffy why not use a new link on old chain? Tight spots?

ned37 · Feb 2, 2012

prolly different pin to pin due to chain wear.
well, how about a new chain and an old link? (i've done it

)

birdwoodburg · Feb 2, 2012

I have done old chain new pin many of times never had a problem just asking.

Taffy · Feb 3, 2012

yes the old link is worn. a link should only start to take the pressure with 2 or so links to go to the end of the loaded teeth but a new link will be taking the pressure from the moment it steps on to the cam sprocket and then it has all the load all the way around to the leading (or is that trailing?) edge. it is a lot of pressure and heat.

ideally a link only does it's bit twice per rotation. I bet you're mentally thinking of the top sprocket: nice long radius, slow speed etc. now try thinking of the bottom sprocket: 8,00rpm, few teeth, tight radius...

regards

Taffy

bushmechanic · Feb 4, 2012

birdwoodburg said:
I have done old chain new pin many of times never had a problem just asking.

+1

the berg camchain and sprockets are about twice as "big" as the KTM RFS one but use the same cam profiles same valves valve springs etc , ie the berg one should be plenty strong enough even with an old chain/ new link. I reckon if it didn't break in my bike most people will be fine

.

maybe with a chain that's done 1000 hours not a good idea but then its time for a new chain anyway.

its not only the pins that wear but also the ID/OD of the rollers and the ID of the bore for the pins which all belong to the chain not the link so the extra "tightness" on the new link is only attributable to the new pins on the link ... ie a new link shaft is only 1/6 of the system if you count sprockets and the place where the least of the wear occurs. from what I have seen on roller cam chains most of the wear occurs on the outer rollers not the internal pins. if in doubt measure the diameter of the old links pins, on a chain with 100hrs i bet it is within 0.0025mm of the new pin diam.

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06 FE550 Camshaft orientation in respect to sprocket

Iceburg

Idle

bergbro

Taffy

keithzzr

birdwoodburg

ned37

birdwoodburg

Taffy

bushmechanic

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