XJ550 secca shim issue help needed

Does anyone know how to move the bucket under the shim, to the forward position, so the notch is at the front of the cam, as to lift out the shim, when using the appropriate tool. The other 3 buckets were very easy to move into position. This one is stuck fast and will not move.

 

I would spray a bit of WD40 or similar around the side of the bucket and then use a screwdriver in the slot to move the bucket.

 

Thanks very much, I've tried that, it's VERY stuck
The bucket notch is located right under the end of the cam, making it very difficult to get any tool in.

 

Can you depress the bucket, either by turning the camshaft or a sharp tap on top of the shim with a hammer and screwdriver? Sometimes just turning the camshaft a few times helps to move the bucket.

 

You can turn the camshaft and it will depress the shim.
I have used a hammer and punch on the bucket as much as I dared to move it into position, it had no effect whatsoever.
Also, the shim removing tool, will depress the bucket, to the correct position, that does give you enough room to remove the shim, IF I could move the notch to the forward position. I have tried for several hours and it will not move. What do you think of removing the cam, to access the bucket directly. I don't really want to do this.

 

Sounds like you've tried everything and nothing has worked, so yes, i'd consider removing the camshaft. PITA

 

You might try the wire under the valve method instead of the shim tool. If its the Motion Pro tool, it does not seem to fit well on the 550. I assume you are trying to rotate the bucket with the valve closed and without the shim tool since it traps the bucket from rotating.

 

The buckets are supposed to spin when in operation, I can't recall ever hearing of one that is stuck like yours is. Perhaps an overnight soak with a real penetrating oil instead of just WD-40 would help?

 

I’ve never had a bucket stick like that. Seems like it would be real bad since they are supposed to move freely.

 

Dave, are you having any luck with it?
A couple more ideas to go with Chacals tip, you could try some diesel poured onto and around the bucket and maybe a heat gun like is used for paint stripping, i don't think i'd go for a blow torch unless it's a last resort. Heat is a great persuader.
Can you fashion your own tool to get under the camshaft lobe? An old screwdriver shaped and ground with an angle grinder maybe? I make all sorts of gizmos when needed and a result is a result.
Can you get the bike fired up?

 

Thanks l have done it, this one was tough but now happy days

 

Great stuff. What was the method?

 

Ok this is how. Turning the engine over clock wise, the bucket moved to the left as l had been trying to move it right looking from the front of engine. The movement was only small, this continued until stopped .
It was now under the cam again, but it now moved. I next fitted the shim tool a few times, the shim moved just a small amount, and now I could remove it. I then can get a tool in to move the bucket around to the front position its very tight.
New shims needed !