Remove outer ignition cover. Before you remove the ignition sensor plate or ignition module, you will want retain the current ignition timing. This can be done by scribing a mark on the sensor plate and on the inside of the nose cone as in Figure 3. When  re-assembling the engine,  the original ignition timing can be set by aligning the scribe marks made earlier.

 Complete the removal of the ignition components by:

Remove the Timing Gear Cover or the "Nose Cone" as it is sometimes referred to. Remember the locations of the bolts used to retain the Timing Gear Cover. There are several different length bolts. It is important that they be replaced in the proper bolt hole.

Use rubber or polyurethane hammer to gently tap the cover loose. You may have to use a screwdriver to "gently" pry the cover off the alignment pins. It is important that minimal force be used to remove the cover so that gasket surfaces on the engine case and timing cover case are not damaged.

Move the Timing Gear Cover off to the side. The cover can not be moved away from the engine because the wiring to the ignition will not allow it. The cover can be held in place, out of the way with a bungee cord.

Note the location of the camshaft. Locate the timing marks on the camshaft and the pinion gear. Align these timing marks before you remove the old cam.
With the back wheel raised off the ground, the engine can be rotated by placing the transmission in 5th gear, then turning the rear wheel until the desired engine position is reached

Remove the breather gear nylon washer and the breather gear from the engine. The breather gear is the black plastic gear toward the rear of the engine.

The lifters need to be out of the way prior to removing the camshaft. If the engine has more than 20,000 miles on it or is a 1996 or older bike, it is recommended that the lifters be replaced. The current design Harley-Davidson OEM lifters work find for all engine applications under 6500 RPMs.

To remove the lifters, remove the lifter blocks. Removal of the lifter blocks requires a 1/4" 12 point socket.

If you do not have a camshaft installation tool or a magnetic lifter holder, it is recommended that you remove the lifter blocks. This type of tool makes it easy to hold the lifters in place while the cam is being installed.

With the lifters held in place with a camshaft installation tool or the lifter blocks removed:

Remove the old camshaft from the engine

Remove camshaft thrust washer from the engine case if it does not come out with the camshaft. Check for any camshaft spacers that may have been in place. If there is currently an aftermarket camshaft in the engine, there should be a spacer. If you have the OEM "N" grind camshaft, there is no spacer, just the thrust washer.

Your engine should now look very much like Figure 7.