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Message started by zevenenergie on 06/11/25 at 12:45:53

Title: DR650 is it good enuf?
Post by zevenenergie on 06/11/25 at 12:45:53

Guys I can buy this DR 650 camshaft from 1996 for $150, But I think I see some wear. Is this easy to weld with tig and then regrind?
Is this the right year?
What are your thoughts on this crankshaft?

http://https://i.imgur.com/vlvlPEsh.jpg

Title: Re: DR650 is it good enuf?
Post by Dave on 06/11/25 at 14:57:13

That doesn't look good enough to put in an engine I would build.....however with carefully watching eBay (USA) you can find better cams now and then. However, it might last a while if the wear hasn't worn too deeply into the hardened surface....I don't know how deep the hardening goes. Perhaps that cam was subject to a low grade oil.

Welding cams is not for home mechanics. After the welding and grinding the surface is induction hardened. You can't do that at home.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77wq69OGkOw
[media]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=77wq69OGkOw[/media]

Title: Re: DR650 is it good enuf?
Post by DragBikeMike on 06/12/25 at 01:04:41

Klingon, you need to provide more photos and some accurate measurements so we can make an informed recommendation.

My DR650 cam developed some similar pits around 50,000 miles ago. I have been keeping a close eye on it ever since I noticed the pitting. Keep in mind I have been running a highly modified oil system for the last 40K. I do endoscope inspections every 3500 to 4500 miles. The pits don't seem to be changing. However, you appear to have wear and scoring in addition to pits. Post more pics, take some measurements.

Title: Re: DR650 is it good enuf?
Post by zevenenergie on 06/12/25 at 04:03:42

Hi guys, tanks for the response.
Nice video. Always wanted to have an induction heater :)

Mike, why do you call me a Klingon?I am a very sensitive soul, just a little hard on the outside. 8-)

I tried to talk the price down. But he is stubborn, he now also wants me to buy the head and the cover because they are worn together and therefore cannot be sold separately. (That is nonsense of course) I asked him for more photos and he did.
I can see that the aluminum is no longer intact. So that also says something about the condition of the bearing surfaces of the camshaft.

http://https://i.imgur.com/nNAhcexh.jpg
http://https://i.imgur.com/1tA6sJCh.jpg
http://https://i.imgur.com/u4IXF8Fh.jpg
http://https://i.imgur.com/ANxsicZh.jpg

It seems like he's actually trying to hide the damage. :P
He lives too far away to go see and measure.

I watched some videos about grinding camshafts last night and I think I will leave that to the professionals.

But I did find a nice grinding machine on the internet:
Maybe also nice for you to see. https://techduc.com/en/products/may-cong-cu-sua-chua-xe-may-1/camshaft-grinding-machine.html

To get real; I think the investment is too big. Although I think it could be done with simpler means. But I'll let it go.

That aliexpers cam got me motivated. [smiley=2vrolijk_08.gif]
But I'm going to sit on the beach today with a nice glass of orange juice and wait for it to pass.
I'm sure a better camshaft will come along sometime and I'll jump on top of it.

Title: Re: DR650 is it good enuf?
Post by DragBikeMike on 06/13/25 at 16:45:34

My apologies Zevenenergie, somehow I got you confused with "Uranus Klingon". I beg your forgiveness.

Thanks for all the extra pics. I see that the OEM DR650 cam is no longer available. That doesn't leave you a lot of options. If I was faced with the same problem, I would buy that used DR cam. The journals look fine. Only way you will ever know if the lobes are good is to get the cam right in front of your own eyes. A good oil stone works wonders on small blemishes. You shouldn't try to remove the damage, just work out any rough spots. Measure each lobe first. The base circle (BC) should be about 1.190" intake, and 1.187" exhaust. Nose to BC should be about 1.438" intake and 1.447" exhaust. You may find the as-received condition to be satisfactory as-is. The oil stone should be a last resort, and you don't want to see any measurable reduction in the BC or nose to BC.

I would use the cam with the newer rocker arms that incorporate brazed cam followers. MAKE SURE YOU DRILL THE OIL HOLES IN THE LOBES. MANDATORY!

The cylinder head is of no use to you. It won't fit your LS.