[Steve TLS]

Originally Posted by chucks_net

On each cam is a gear the timing chain rides on -typical of most engines. TL engines have 2 gears -the cam gear and the scissor gear. these two gears are right against one another acting as one gear. The scissor gear has tension on the chain even when the cam gear is slack Or soften the jolt from the big 500cc firing. This is done with springs. Keeping tension on the cam chain prevents it from slapping around and stretching.

Some folks remove the scissor gear assmbley to reduce cam rotational weight. The theory is to increase rev up time.

I don't believe that there are any rev up time effects from removing the gears. Since there is no direct power or torque increase, so long as your engine is under load (moving your bike) the rev-up time will be exactly the same.

The scissor gears don't affect the chain or chain tension, the chain tensioner keeps tension on the chain. The scissors gears are there to quieten them down They keep tension on the cam gear teeth.

And when people pull them out their engines are noisier.