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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: neetones on January 09, 2026, 03:19:43 PM

Title: Pitted Lifters
Post by: neetones on January 09, 2026, 03:19:43 PM
Hi all.

Digging further into my '69 Ambo. The lifters are all quite pitted. The cam surfaces are in decent condition, not perfect but not nearly this bad.

How screwed am I? Suggestions?


(https://i.ibb.co/N6Rx0v7J/PXL-20260109-210655250.jpg) (https://ibb.co/N6Rx0v7J)

(https://i.ibb.co/jPF5CJYt/PXL-20260109-210635876.jpg) (https://ibb.co/jPF5CJYt)
Title: Re: Pitted Lifters
Post by: Antietam Classic Cycle on January 09, 2026, 03:34:22 PM
Those are worse than any I've ever seen, I can't imagine that the cam has survived unscathed the way they look. I have probably 100 used "core" lifters suitable for refacing and could sell you four. I would then recommend sending them and the cam to Delta Camshaft in Tacoma, WA. The last set of lifters and cam I had done was only $140 including shipping.
Title: Re: Pitted Lifters
Post by: Chuck in Indiana on January 09, 2026, 06:26:28 PM
What Charlie sez.. the cam is most likely toast.. plus.. :smiley:
Title: Re: Pitted Lifters
Post by: moto-uno on January 11, 2026, 02:09:14 AM
  I'd probably start with a lot more oil changes after they're rebuilt or replaced .
Title: Re: Pitted Lifters
Post by: neetones on January 11, 2026, 07:36:41 AM
  I'd probably start with a lot more oil changes after they're rebuilt or replaced .

Absolutely. The bike is new to me. ~36k miles on it and the oil was in horrible condition when I got it.
Title: Re: Pitted Lifters
Post by: normzone on January 11, 2026, 07:56:01 AM
Absolutely. The bike is new to me. ~36k miles on it and the oil was in horrible condition when I got it.

Cue flashback music ... fond memories of changing my Eldo oil every one thousand miles circa 1980 (snaps suspender)
Title: Re: Pitted Lifters
Post by: neetones on January 12, 2026, 05:49:56 PM
Those are worse than any I've ever seen, I can't imagine that the cam has survived unscathed the way they look. I have probably 100 used "core" lifters suitable for refacing and could sell you four. I would then recommend sending them and the cam to Delta Camshaft in Tacoma, WA. The last set of lifters and cam I had done was only $140 including shipping.


Charlie, in your experience, does Delta do everything required for cams and lifters? Is hardening compromised? Does anything require a phosphoric coating or anything similar?
Title: Re: Pitted Lifters
Post by: Antietam Classic Cycle on January 12, 2026, 06:47:52 PM

Charlie, in your experience, does Delta do everything required for cams and lifters? Is hardening compromised? Does anything require a phosphoric coating or anything similar?

Yes, they do everything. Hardening not compromised. No coating necessary, ready to install as delivered.
Title: Re: Pitted Lifters
Post by: Bulldog9 on January 13, 2026, 08:05:06 AM
Those are worse than any I've ever seen, I can't imagine that the cam has survived unscathed the way they look. I have probably 100 used "core" lifters suitable for refacing and could sell you four. I would then recommend sending them and the cam to Delta Camshaft in Tacoma, WA. The last set of lifters and cam I had done was only $140 including shipping.

Great guys at Delta. I was in the middle of a rebuild on my 912 when stationed at Fort Lewis back in 2015, and brought them my cam and lifters to check out before installing. The Car/Motorcycle Culture in the Seattle/Tacoma area is very solid.