cam followers

[mugwump]

Has anyone experienced the two inner ( exh ) followers sitting about 1/8" higher than the two I/L ones. I have checked and stoned the centre pin/dowel to ensure free movement of the exh ones, but made no difference. I can only assume that the small grub screws that keep the I/L followers in place are allowing them to sit that bit lower. All the pictures I have seen show the four followers all sitting level with one another. I 've never had the bike running yet, but when the top half is put together and then turned by hand the followers make quite a clatter as though they are not running on or reaching the quietening ramps. There is plenty of oil in the trough. I'm reluctant to start it up like it is. The cams and followers have been welded up and re ground some time in the past but they look ok. With just the head removed and the push-rods in place using hand pressure they seem to make constant contact with the cams. I'm at a loss, has anyone any ideas.
Or are they just noisy like this when the engine is turned slowly!
Thanks in advance.

[muskrat]

G'day mugwump.
That sounds about right to me. with the barrels sitting on the bench the outside followers sit a bit lower.
The clatter you hear might be the backlash of the timing gears. Turning the motor by hand you will hear a click clack at the same spot each rev. It disappears once running.
cheers

[mugwump]

Thanks for that Muskrat, very reassuring. I stone ground the ridges on the centre pin again and its made a bit of a difference. Fingers crossed on start-up.

[Joolstacho]

It was a long time ago so I'm stretching my memory, but when I first rebuilt my SR I had a local cam specialist (Wades) regrind my camshaft, and possibly the followers too.
Afterwards it had a very nasty rattle like excessive tappet clearances, even though they were correct. I think I concluded that even though I could adjust the tappet clearances right up top, because material had been removed, the followers were dropping onto their little locating screws at the base of the barrels making the noise.

[muskrat]

From memory you can only remove 60 thou" (1.5mm) total from the cam and followers or using a compression plate under the barrels. Any more than that and the followers won't reach the cam base circle.
Cheers

[mugwump]

Just a brief up-date. Started the bike up today, 3rd kick and wow! Engine is quieter than my G12 and the exh note ( siamese pipes and Trimph style Mega ) is a boom to behold. I'm also surprised at the engine pick-up speed. Loads to do before we hit the road though.
Thanks for the advice so far.