[seven4niner]

A while back Kevin over at Forza Moto helped me out with some parts for my 999RS engine and very kindly offered a set of bare RS heads at a great price. So over the last little while I've just been pottering away on nightshifts trawling the 'net and accumulating bits and bobs as funds permit to eventually build them up.

Ever the optimist, I picked up a set of used 999RS cams knowing one was damaged thinking it can't be that difficult to get it repaired.......which turned out to be a complete brain fart: Perth is very isolated and not exactly flush with this sort of expertise. I've pretty much exhausted the local workshops, even the guys who used to manufacture the Vee Two cams, sent out emails to some of the specialists in the Eastern States, all to no avail.

So I just thought I'd put it out there and ask the brains trust: any suggestions for a possible repairer? Or someone have one lying about? They are pretty thin on the ground so I'm thinking my hopes rest on a repair rather than a replacement. As you know they're pretty small, so no problem shipping it pretty much anywhere.

The cam is an inlet, CA524.

 

[xracer]

Fuck the closer off and put a valve spring in. Keep the rpm down to 8500, she’ll be right.>
But seriously, that looks to be at the highest spot on the closer so there should be clearance there. Would it be worth trying it as is and keeping an eye on it.
I’ve seen this on a few cams in bikes that still run and don’t seem to get any worse than this and the rocker faces are still good. Love to know what causes it.

 

[DukeDesmo]

So I just thought I'd put it out there and ask the brains trust: any suggestions for a possible repairer?

Other side of the world, but I'd trust Newman cams to do a good job; www.newman-cams.com | Newman Cams - Performance Camshafts

 

[seven4niner]

Fuck the closer off and put a valve spring in. Keep the rpm down to 8500, she’ll be right.<img src="http://www.ducati.ms/forums/images/Ducati_ms_2015/smilies/tango_face_devil.png" border="0" alt="" title="Devil" class="inlineimg" />
But seriously, that looks to be at the highest spot on the closer so there should be clearance there. Would it be worth trying it as is and keeping an eye on it.
I’ve seen this on a few cams in bikes that still run and don’t seem to get any worse than this and the rocker faces are still good. Love to know what causes it.

Haha, yup, if I had to race with these heads next weekend that’s pretty much what I’d do.
But as spares, with no rush, just thought I’d put it out there.
Closer shims for these farkin’ things are like rocking horse poo, and there sre a few more boxes to tick before they are usable.

So I just thought I'd put it out there and ask the brains trust: any suggestions for a possible repairer?

Other side of the world, but I'd trust Newman cams to do a good job; www.newman-cams.com | Newman Cams - Performance Camshafts

Thanks mate, they certainly look capable, I’ll touch base and see what they say.

 

[TomTom]

If its a veritcal cam, good hopes, those are floating around.

 

[2004 999s]

regrinding.

http://www.oregoncamshaft.com/regrinding.html Camshaft Grinding & Remanufacture or here; DemosCams.com | Home

 

[davy.j]

I get my cams done here in Queensland:
https://tighecams.com.au/

 

[Weed]

Haha, yup, if I had to race with these heads next weekend that’s pretty much what I’d do.
But as spares, with no rush, just thought I’d put it out there.
Closer shims for these farkin’ things are like rocking horse poo, and there sre a few more boxes to tick before they are usable.




Thanks mate, they certainly look capable, I’ll touch base and see what they say.

Waggets in Newcastle do a good job on rockers & used to do cams. Unfortunately Wagget sold out & they don't do demo cams anymore but still do followers

 

[xracer]

The killer with our cams is the grind has to be SO precise. The opener has to follow the closer so as to not bind, so even a small repair, if not ground IN SYNC with the other lobe, can cause problems. Not many people can do this.

 

[seven4niner]

Camshaft Grinding & Remanufacture Camshaft Grinding & Remanufacture or here; DemosCams.com | Home

Thanks, I'll add them to the list of possibilities and chase them up.

I get my cams done here in Queensland:
https://tighecams.com.au/

Thanks Davy, Tighe were suggested by Justin at Pro Twin (local Ducati engine guru here in Perth), unfortunately they couldn't help with a repair, although interestingly they could make a complete new one....at a cost of $1200. It's an option but a bit salty for me at this stage.

 

[seven4niner]

Waggets in Newcastle do a good job on rockers & used to do cams. Unfortunately Wagget sold out & they don't do demo cams anymore but still do followers

Hi Weed. Now there's a blast from the past, a big name back in the day. I didn't realise they were still operating. I've just done my googles and came up with this:
https://www.waggottcams.com
even found them on wiki: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Waggott_Engineering
From what you've said it sounds a no go but I'll add them to the list, emails cost nothing (unless you are the poor business owner having to read it, lol)

The killer with our cams is the grind has to be SO precise. The opener has to follow the closer so as to not bind, so even a small repair, if not ground IN SYNC with the other lobe, can cause problems. Not many people can do this.

The other issue is the closing lobe actually goes concave on the "flat" part of the profile. Speaking to some guys heavily involved with John Zappia's dominant Top Doorslammer drag car and their automotive cam grinder simply can't follow that sort of curve.

Throw in the complications with the nitriding and it starts to get a bit depressing.

 

[swiest152]

Ben Fox could probably send you in the right direction.
Fox Performance - Ducati Crankshaft Balancing Specialists

 

[seven4niner]

Other side of the world, but I'd trust Newman cams to do a good job; www.newman-cams.com | Newman Cams - Performance Camshafts

Sorry for the delay in following this up, but this might be helpful for someone: I made some enquiries based on the previous recommendations, and Ken Newman of Newman Cams was very prompt and helpful in replying so away it went to the UK. 200 quid later (not including shipping) she is a good 'un again!

Thank you kind sir (and everyone else), I really appreciate the recommendation(s).

 

[xracer]

Great news Spud. Can I safely assume then that he can re-profile cams?

 

[seven4niner]

Great news Spud. Can I safely assume then that he can re-profile cams?

The physical reprofiling doesn't sound like an issue.....but the cam material complicates things. Check out their website here: Camshaft Material | www.newman-cams.com and have a look at the "Repro" section (amongst some other interesting info):

"Repro
A regrind on an existing camshaft, only suitable for mild grinds on existing chilled iron camshafts.
If you regrind case hardened steel camshafts you will remove the case hardening.
We only regrind chilled iron cams, but prefer to supply new units."


They sent my cam out for hard-welding (hard facing) then reground using the other lobe as the Master. Whether they could do that over larger portions of all the lobes, I'm not sure. But best to contact them direct to clarify, they were very good in getting back to me about what must have seemed like a pissy lil' job.