Camshaft identification on Desmo's is there any ?

MartinMille BANNED · Post by **MartinMille BANNED** » Tue Nov 04, 2008 2:19 am

Hi All
Is there a way to tell what cam is from what engine on a desmo head ?
are there any marking's on them to tell them apart ?

wdietz186 · Post by **wdietz186** » Tue Nov 04, 2008 10:58 am

The cams had paint marks on the bevel end of the cam .I don't remember exactly but I'm pretty sure the Imola cams had Blue/Black paint on them . Black/Green was for the normal Darmah I think.

MartinMille BANNED · Post by **MartinMille BANNED** » Tue Nov 04, 2008 12:57 pm

Thanks for that
One would think that the paint would wear off at some point
anyone know what SS cams have on them ?

nottonight68 · Post by **nottonight68** » Wed Nov 05, 2008 12:03 am

hey martin
seem to remember blue & yellow
coloured dots were also on heads-between rocker covers
cheers

conti-mental · Post by **conti-mental** » Thu Nov 06, 2008 11:47 am

Seconded!

My SS had yellow & blue paint dabs on the heads - a real shame I had to bead blast those heads

No paint marks on the cams though...

Just remembered I got a photo before the foul deed!

While we're 'on topic' I've got a question - did all SS's have polished rockers?

Cheers!

Andy[/img]

MartinMille BANNED · Post by **MartinMille BANNED** » Thu Nov 06, 2008 11:56 am

This is the same situation that I found myself in after the engine beading ,no marks to let you know what cam is in your engine , and now what sure I can remove the cam etc etc but there is still no way of telling what it has inside ,frustrating to say the least

wdietz186 · Post by **wdietz186** » Thu Nov 06, 2008 6:54 pm

Martin, As I recall my 77 900 had the blue yellow marks too. You could check the timing events when you have it back together. I'm pretty sure the timing figures are in the service manual. Take a look in the manuals section on this website. Checking involves a degree wheel and a dial indicator. Just remember to turn the crank clockwise[looking at it from the primary side] as it spins backwards compared to normal[read pedestrian] motorcycles. Conti-Mental,the rockers came from Ducati copper plated with flash chroming on the contact pads.

MartinMille BANNED · Post by **MartinMille BANNED** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 3:33 pm

Well found some more for you guys about what Cam's are in what bikes
Looks like Ducati 900/1000 cams are all the same grind no matter what colored dots are on the heads
That NCR cam looks like a bit of wild gear

1975 / 1981 -900SS - Cam
1979 / 1982 SD
ALL MHR 900/1000
Inlet opens 63°
Inlet closes 83°
Exhaust opens 80°
Exhaust closes 58°

And all NCR's 750 or 900 had this grind

1975 / 1979 750/900 NCR Cam
Inlet opens 70°
Inlet closes 100°
Exhaust opens 100°
Exhaust closes 70°