Camshafts are a central component of the motorbike and control the movement of the valves in the engine. The camshafts are usually connected to the engine's crankshaft via a toothed belt or chain.
The shape of the cams on the camshaft determines the opening and closing times of the valves. If the engine has a higher speed or power, camshafts with a larger stroke or different profiles can be used to achieve optimum performance.
The camshafts must be checked for wear or damage and replaced if necessary. A faulty camshaft can result in reduced engine performance or even cause serious engine damage. Choosing the right camshafts and maintaining them is an important aspect of engine tuning and optimisation.