Topic: Who's cam is it anyway?

[IHWillys]

did you remember to zero out your vernier caliper?...

Haha, now that's funny.

Ken

[Toxic]

did you remember to zero out your vernier caliper?...

Haha, now that's funny.

Ken

umm not funny at all, I believe he was being serious.

With my digital calipers if you don't check to make sure you are starting with a zero reading you're not going to be accurate.

Most of us make that mistake at some point.

[IHWillys]

On a vernier caliper?   I understand it on a digital caliper or even a dial caliper but a vernier?  How does one "zero" a vernier caliper?  Maybe I've been missing something all these years. 

Ken

[Lavis500]

A vernier caliper, by definition, is simply a measuring device with two sets of teeth, to measure inner and outer measurements, with the teeth being attached to a graduated scale.  Within this definition there are a variety of digital and analog calipers; some you can zeroout and some you cannot.  The caliper I have is digital, and yes I zeroed it out.  Again, the book said to use a micrometer.  I didn't think it woud make a big difference, but I suppose it did.

Also, even though my rings were sharp, I very confident tha I have a low volume compression gauge.  As a double check I'm going to see if I can't rent a valve stem compression gauge (the kind with the big rubber nipple) and measure compression on another friend's bike with both that gauge and my own.  If there is any variation in the readings then I'll know for sure.

[IHWillys]

I apologize for the divergence I caused to your thread Lavis500. 

Perhaps I am wrong, but since my days at CSU getting my BS in Industrial Technology, I've considered a vernier caliper to be specific type of caliper, not a term for any caliper.  It is a linear scale device with a fixed 1:1 scale and a sliding 1:mucho scale(mucho is a technical term here...).   Nothing is adjustable on it.

As an example of one I have in my hands at the moment, reading is done by comparing where the 0 of the sliding scale lies for the tens and the tenths and the first reading of the hundredths.  Then which mark of the sliding scale most closely lines up with a mark on the fixed scale for another hundredths and the only thousandths measurement.  This second reading is then added to the first measurement resulting in a measurement accurate to .001 inch.  It is a very simple device but with impressive accuracy.  I was able to take readings against gauge blocks to get the hang of reading one and know I was doing it correctly.

Again, sorry for the hijack... back to the cam thread.

Ken

[Lavis500]

Lol no problem.  I figure I just got all worked up for nothing.  I'm waiting for my rings (new piston pin clips, too) now as well as my helicoil kit to fix my head. Then I'll just be taking it easy for a bit.  Can't spend all my money at once!  Soon enough I'll be buying my gasket set and new hardware - definitely the stainless allen head set!  I also happen to have a friend that I just found out does powder coat for a living, so hopefully I'll do the frame soon, to!

While I'm here, does anybody else have any suggestions on what to do while I have the engine open?

[steamnjn23]

an idea an old car mechanic told me about is to glue a small flat magnet into a corner of the oil pan to sweep any metal fragment from the oil.  cant see that it would hurt...but maybe someone else will chime in over this.

[754]

If I have to be more accurate that 2 or 3 thou, I use mics..

 And yes a Vernier caliper is generally not adjustable, but well used ones can be out.. they get dropped and abused.

 To check em, nake sure the beam part is clean.. between the jaws and frame...then close them and check Zero. Now hold em up to the  light and see if there is space between the tapered points.. mine shows light..its out..

 Thats why I dont use em on stuff like this....not (always) reliable..

 Any caliper that has been dropped is suspect.. that means most of them...

 I pour my oil over cardboard.. then inspect the particles... .. a bit of stuff is not worrisome, a change in the amount is..