Doing the cam-can

After re-homing all six pistons last time out, this month I am going to fit the cam-shafts and set them up to open and close the exhaust and inlet valves at the optimum time and the precise amount in relation to the six reciprocating pistons.

It’s not as hard as it sounds. Because the cam-shaft sprockets are machined out of the same lump of steel as the shafts themselves, so there is no temptation to make life hard for oneself by slotting the sprockets to dial them in.

Unlike earlier Zeds the Z1300 employs a silent style cam-chain. Earlier models used traditional roller chains similar to the drive chain, but obviously much more diminutive. The endless silent chain used is more durable than a roller chain and is considerably quieter in operation. The sprockets are more like gears and seem to be less susceptible