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[dano]

I'm putting new lifters and pushrods in my bike. If I would want to change cams down the road do the lifters and rods have to come out to do it?

[mike jesse]

Pushrods yes. The lifters can be held up away from the cam lobes with magnets. Harley makes a set of these that makes changing cams very easy.
They look like a small horseshoe.

[dano]

Thanks.  I wasn't sure if there might have been a way around it

[prodrag1320]

its easier just to take the lifters out too.

[krypto2011]

its easier just to take the lifters out too.

The S&S adjustable pushrod kit I purchased when doing the last one I did came with lifter block gaskets. I pulled the blocks and lifters to pull the cams. It wasn't a big deal to remove them and left nothing in my way when re-installing the cam plate.

[grc]

Another reason to remove the lifters versus use the magnets is that it gives you an opportunity to inspect the rollers for signs of impending failure.  It's well worth the slight additional time to just remove them.

JMHO - Jerry

[Twolanerider]

I've got a set of those horseshoe magnets for the lifters.  A present one year for Christmas after I'd absentmindedly made some remark about a "tool I don't have."  Can't ever imagine using it though.  As Jerry just mentioned any time you're far enough in to actually need to hold the lifters up there just isn't a good reason not to take the few extra minutes required to get the lifters in your hand and do a good thorough inspection.

[CVODON]

I agree take them out and look @ them. But I also do not understand everyone wanting the heavy adjustable pushrods. Just makes no sense to me. Have spent mega dollars over the years for stronger/lighter pushrods in race cars and hi-power street stuff and guys on here actually spend money for something that is heavier and has more parts which always makes for something that has more chance of failure than a simple tube. JUST my opinion.

[Twolanerider]

I agree take them out and look @ them. But I also do not understand everyone wanting the heavy adjustable pushrods. Just makes no sense to me. Have spent mega dollars over the years for stronger/lighter pushrods in race cars and hi-power street stuff and guys on here actually spend money for something that is heavier and has more parts which always makes for something that has more chance of failure than a simple tube. JUST my opinion.

I don't disagree Don.  But it's just a "lazy" or ease of service thing.  On most cars you've got to pull the rocker arms to get at the push rods.  Not all, some are a bit more involved, but on most it's just that simple and it's the same job no matter what push rod you're using. 

On the bike the task really is simpler with the adjustable.  Granted, it's not really that big a deal to pull the tank and the other bits to get the extra clearance.  But there is a difference.  And, some days, it's just ok to be a little extra lazy.  After all, it's just a street bike that doesn't have to deliver any potential partial foot pound.  Different usage and application would never consider the adjustables.  Would of course cut whatever was needed for the engine at hand.  But, yeah, sometimes it's ok to be just a little lazy  .

[Ridgerunr]

Make sure you re-install the lifters as they came out if they're OK.

[popsracing]

Yep pull the lifters, it's a couple more bolts and two cheap gaskets...You'll want to change cam bearings while your doing the cam replacement too.