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[newseultra07]

Ok going to do a cam change soon & am wondering how hard it is to do. I've never done anything this extensive before. I can do header pipe installs, etc.. What special tools do i need.??

Dealer wants around 10 hours to do the cam change out. Says has to change out the cylinder gaskets if change out the head gaskets..Is this necessary to change out the cylinder gaskets if you break seal on heads...

Should i go with adjustable pushrods??

[HOGMIKE]

Ok going to do a cam change soon & am wondering how hard it is to do. I've never done anything this extensive before. I can do header pipe installs, etc.. What special tools do i need.??

Dealer wants around 10 hours to do the cam change out. Says has to change out the cylinder gaskets if change out the head gaskets..Is this necessary to change out the cylinder gaskets if you break seal on heads...

Should i go with adjustable pushrods??

You don't have to change the head/cyl gaskets if all you are doing is a cam change.
Depending on mileage, maybe you can think about cam bearings and lifters.
Keep your OEM pushrods, they are stiff/ light weight and don't need adjusting.
It would help to have the proper tools, if you do it yourself, that 10hrs labor from the dealer will pay for them.

JMHO after doing a few on the newer bikes.
 

[sadunbar]

Ok going to do a cam change soon & am wondering how hard it is to do. I've never done anything this extensive before. I can do header pipe installs, etc.. What special tools do i need.??

Dealer wants around 10 hours to do the cam change out. Says has to change out the cylinder gaskets if change out the head gaskets..Is this necessary to change out the cylinder gaskets if you break seal on heads...

Should i go with adjustable pushrods??

If you are mechanically inclined and have a service manual, it's not that difficult.  There is no need to pull heads if all you are doing is changing cams.  Whether or not you need adjustable pushrods is dependent upon the cams and lifters you use.  If you use cams with the same base circle as your stock cams, and use stock lifters, you don't have to use adjustable pushrods (but I would)...  Only a few special tools required.  They are noted in your service manual.

[newseultra07]

Thinking bout the Andrews 54h cams that fullsac offers. They also have the 0.30 head gaskets. Is it worth changing the head gaskets or will it make that much difference.

[sadunbar]

Thinking bout the Andrews 54h cams that fullsac offers. They also have the 0.30 head gaskets. Is it worth changing the head gaskets or will it make that much difference.

It's not worth if if that's the only reason for pulling the heads.   

[ralford]

Just did the task and it isn't difficult but you do need to have an understanding of when the valves are closed and open.  The video on this site is very useful and tells you a couple of tricks to make it doable.  Didn't think pulling the heads just for the gasket was worth it to me and ended up using adjustable pushrods - probably just as easy to go through the rocker cover...

Good luck

[newseultra07]

Bike is new so not many miles. Less than 200 now. Believe dealer would charge 4 hours for just cam change out. May just let them do it. I don't have alot of time rite now.

[sadunbar]

Bike is new so not many miles. Less than 200 now. Believe dealer would charge 4 hours for just cam change out. May just let them do it. I don't have alot of time rite now.

Four hours labor to swap cams is a fair time estimate...   

[Black Diamond]

Bike is new so not many miles. Less than 200 now. Believe dealer would charge 4 hours for just cam change out. May just let them do it. I don't have alot of time rite now.

Make sure with your shop. Many dealers in my area (Central Ill) quote 6 hours for a cam change with the hourly rate varying from $55 to $72 an hour.

[grc]

The labor time will vary depending on whether you go with adjustable pushrods or one piece pushrods, due to having to remove the fuel tank and rocker covers/rocker arms for the one piece rods.  If using adjustables, the top end is left alone and they just cut the stock rods in half with bolt cutters and remove them, thus saving significant time but with additional parts cost.  Choose your poison.


Jerry

[dlaws01]

I would say that if you have the tech data, tools and facilities to perform the task and you enjoy performing maintenance on your own bike then I'd go for it.  Its hard to describe the feeling of satisfaction one gets after successfully completing a modification like this, not to mention the learning experience. 

[dayne66]

Make sure with your shop. Many dealers in my area (Central Ill) quote 6 hours for a cam change with the hourly rate varying from $55 to $72 an hour.

Those are good rates...Steve Drane is $100 an hour!

[sadunbar]

I would say that if you have the tech data, tools and facilities to perform the task and you enjoy performing maintenance on your own bike then I'd go for it.  Its hard to describe the feeling of satisfaction one gets after successfully completing a modification like this, not to mention the learning experience. 

Very true...  It also builds confidence for the next even more involved alteraions!   

[cahdbiker]

newseultra07, There is a very good video on changing out cams and installing adjustable pushrods on You Tube. It was posted by J&P cycles. I am not sure if I saw it from a link on this site or if I found it directly on You Tube. It is quite lengthy and gives great detail . However, you still need to buy some special tools to pull and replace the cam bearings, and of course have bolt cutters to remove the stock pushrods if you are going to go with adjustables.
IMHO if I was only going to do it once I would pay a reputable shop, but if you plan on doing it for yourself and your friends the tools would be a good investment as some of the other guys said. Good Luck. CAHDBIKER

[JR]

newseultra07, There is a very good video on changing out cams and installing adjustable pushrods on You Tube. It was posted by J&P cycles. I am not sure if I saw it from a link on this site or if I found it directly on You Tube. It is quite lengthy and gives great detail . However, you still need to buy some special tools to pull and replace the cam bearings, and of course have bolt cutters to remove the stock pushrods if you are going to go with adjustables.
IMHO if I was only going to do it once I would pay a reputable shop, but if you plan on doing it for yourself and your friends the tools would be a good investment as some of the other guys said. Good Luck. CAHDBIKER