I am in the process of puting back the camshafts. The Clymer manual says that the camshaft journals need to be covered with a layer of molibdenum sulfide grease.
I picked up a tube of this grease at the local autoparts store:
(http://www.derek.com.au/crcenginelube.jpg)
The description says:
"Engine Assembly Lube
Specially formulated for sliding or rotational contact surfaces.
Description:
CRC/STA-Lube Extreme Pressure Anti-Sieze Engine Assemply Lube has been specifically formulated for sliding or rotational contact surfaces, "for initial start-ups and break-ins". It prevents scuffing, scoring, galling and seizing. CRC/STA-Lube Extreme Pressure Anti-Sieze Engine Assemply Lube adheres to metal surfaces and reamins active over long storage preventing rust and corrosion and cushioning close fitting parts. Contains Lithium 12 Hydroxy Sterate Base with "Molybdenum" and Graphite."
Is this grease as good as any or are there some greases that are better than others to be used on camshaft journals.
Does this grease need to be reapplied to the journals periodically? If so, over what time period?
Also, a side-question: I am curious why the camshafts have washers only on one the left side (this a '93 GS).
Jenya
Molybdenum sulfide is technically a friction modifier and will affect your clutches. So after initial break in it's a good idea to immediately replace oil. It's a good idea to change out oil to break in new parts anyway. Whenever I got new parts or a new bike I would take it out for a ride and after 20 miles or so drain the break in oil replace the filter and refill as normal. Most of the stuff that's gonna come out is gonna do it in the first few miles. I don't know why people say leave it in for 400 or 500 miles for break in. I certainly wouldn't want those metal particles floating around in my oil.
As for washers on one side of the camshafts it's to stop cam shaft play and its resulting knocking sound.
Thanks a bunch for the answer.
A couple more questions:
1) The manual has a diaggram showing where the camshaft bearing caps should go. Every bearing cap has a letter from A to D.
http://picasaweb.google.com/taijinian/Cylinders?authkey=Gv1sRgCO6ZxaG2pP7SmwE#slideshow/5341111915066769650
The only thing from which I can descern where each cap should go is the tachometer gearing on one of the camshafts. Am I correct to believe that the A cap goes to the exhaust camshaft, left hand side bearing journal?
2) When positioning the ehxaust camshaft for the proper timing postion, is it correct that the left hand side of the camshaft sits up high outside of the bearing with the left lobe of the camshaft resting on the valve shim. The three other camshaft journals rest inside of the bearings in the cylinder head.
Jenya