Topic: Cam chain removal

[yellowjacket]

Got an almost complete 78 550 for cheap with a ceased engine. I have done top ends on single cylinders before but nothing like this.  Where my engine ceased I can remove one bolt off the cam gear.  The other bolt is almost out but gets wedged up against the head.  I can not seem to get enough slack with the chain to get it off the gear.  Does anybody have a good tip or trick for me.  Once I get the chain off I am on my way.  thanks

[mrfish2]

Have you tried putting the bike in gear and rocking it back and forth to get the engine unstuck? (Assuming you haven't taken the engine out of the frame) But doing that might free it up enough to rotate the cam chain around.

Otherwise you might just have to cut the chain off and replace it.

[yellowjacket]

Thanks for the reply.  Thought about cutting it. I eventually got the cam gear off and all is good.  Got the jug off took a while.  Need new rings now.  Engine turned over for the first time in 20 years.