Topic: Yoshimura Cam help

[550Resto]

Hello all, I recently was able to score a Yoshimura Cam from a co worker who had used this in his 78 550 back in the late 70s early 80s and then sold the bike but hung on to the cam. My question is what's a good way to remove the lithium grease he's applied as it's sticky and gooey at this point and is the slight what looks to be rust on one of the lobes ok?

He said he contacted Yoshimura back when he first got the bike and wanted a cam that he could run stock springs with and this is what they sent him. Part number looks to be 121. Not sure if anyone has info on this and whether or not it was a good deal at 50 bucks? He was also running a Kerker 4 to q, pods and 145 mains which was the only way he said for it to wake up. He gave me the pods and jets as well.

Any and all help appreciated!

[550Resto]

Came in the original box to!

[flybox1]

I'd reach for the kerosene.
sweet deal 

[Stev-o]

Great deal!  The surface rust should not be an issue if you cant feel it with your finger after you get it clean.

[sinister902]

camrector recently dug up all the info on degreeing in this cam, hopefully he sees this and chimes in.

[MRieck]

Every Yoshimura street cam I have installed use 105 lobe centers.

[550Resto]

  So I got to removing the grease on the cam and found a love that looks shot. Is this whole cam no good now? Picture of the issue.

[BPellerine]

if it will polish up without anything sticking up to score things up it may be ok,are the lobes in that condition?bill

[BomberMann650]

There bave been worse looking cams shared on here.

[FunJimmy]

Fill it up with JB Weld and run the wheels off it.

[754]

It's an oil retention  groove.
All the parts in my 1914 twin HD look like that all over..

[bwaller]

I wouldn't be happy with it.

[ts354]

Ha, I just took out my cam today and I have the same pitting on the lobes.  What causes it? 

[BPellerine]

rust forms on them if they have been sitting in a damp space for awhile.bill

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I wouldn't be happy with it.

I wouldn't either.

[MRieck]

Me either....it sucks man but reality is harsh.

[754]

I pay 50 any day for it..

[disco]

Looks to be off to the side a bit, so rocker won't be riding over worst area. Maybe a good machine shop could weld & re-grind?

[754]

Looks like the journal  looks like 95 percent intact to me..
 40 year old stuff .....get used to it , or get a modern bike..
 Things will get worse, time is not on our side...

[mj1176]

if you decide you don't want it send it my way 

[uksparky]

Clean it up with 400 grit paper/wd40 and don't worry it's not spinning 16,000 rpm lol

[550Resto]

Is anyone interested in this cam? I don't think it'll be the route I'm taking and if someone else would like to see if they can get it fixed or repaired I'd be willing to let it go cheap.

[754]

60 bux plus shipping.. .is my offer....and I don't have a bike that it fits.
I would have no qualms running it..

[Bodi]

I would go over it with an oiled flat fine India stone to remove any high spots and then use it with no worries. There's lots of good surface left, your rockers will be worn in to the original cam anyway, it will run fine... worst case would be some wear on that lobe and its rocker so you would need to adjust clearance fairly soon and see if it keeps getting wider. It is not going to self destruct or cause expensive damage anywhere else.
For a race bike I would be much less inclined to use that... but I would install new or hardfaced rockers with a "new" cam as well.

[754]

I agree , but I think it's a journal, even less to worry about. I would not fill the pit.