HELP. Is my timing off???

[Diskman01]

Lol.. relac..

Ya, I planned on removing the CCT again, carefully unbolting the cam sprokets, turn 180 clockwise carefully then remove the second set of bolts. CAREFULLY weasel the chain over 1 tooth on the cam chains, re-bolt up and install the CCT while watching the chain. Turn the engine over a few times with my 19MM on the timing plate "bolt" and see where it goes from there....

Sound legit?

Now to fix my torn valve cover gasket until I order a new one.


On my CB650 I would be extracting broken bolt #3 by now. I'll admit that working on the Yamaha is easier for some reason.

[trdriver71]

I wouldn't bother fixing your old valve cover gasket I would use rtv sealant on there, that is what I did on mine when I adjusted my valves. Since you have the cover off if you haven't already checked your valve clearances I would do that after you have your timing marks lined back up.

[BA80]

AHHHH.......If I didn't give Nate a hard time he would start thinking I didn't like him.

You should probably get those bolts in the gears you CAN'T get to BEFORE you take the CCT off again. 1 bolt in each will hold them in the place they are and you don't want to risk getting the timing any further off and causing valve damage if you haven't already.

See what I'm saying?

[natemoen]

Aligning the crank to a bent pointer won't get you anything other than having the crack at a wrong point in the revolution.

Take the spark plug out and put a pencil in the hole as the #1 piston coming up and just see that it is in the right spot. I am not talking about using a dial indicator and getting perfection. this takes 2 minutes and then you know it is right and don't have to think about It anymore.

Do I think this one is bent, probably not, but why not take that extra minute to just make sure...

[Rasputin]

Aligning the crank to a bent pointer won't get you anything other than having the crack at a wrong point in the revolution.

Take the spark plug out and put a pencil in the hole as the #1 piston coming up and just see that it is in the right spot. I am not talking about using a dial indicator and getting perfection. this takes 2 minutes and then you know it is right and don't have to think about It anymore.

Do I think this one is bent, probably not, but why not take that extra minute to just make sure...

+1 on what Nate is saying. That pointer could be bent or have been moved over the years of this bikes life. Personally I use a dial indicator but that is just because I have one and I am more than a bit anal. Once TDC is established the rest is easier to understand.

[skids]

Yeah it could be bent, but not a hallf an inch. But, I know what you're saying...no time like the present to check TDC. It is tough to do without the right tools. A screwdriver in the spark plug hole just doesn't cut it.

[Diskman01]

Alrighty. Got them all lined up.. Took some doin' fighting the chain slack. Turned it by hand several times and the marks ALL line up. Yes, I used a pencil to test for TDC on #1. My pointer is correct.

Compression test time....

March 2011 Compression Test (COLD engine) 1-150, 2-135, 3-145, 4-155

Today Aug 11, 2012 Compression Test (COLD engine) 1-153, 2-155, 3-153, 4-155

Looks good to me! Dodged a bullet here. No valve damage! Onward to clean the valve cover and reinstall..

Thanks all for the help!!

[trdriver71]

Glad to hear you got it all fixed up and no valve damage.

[XSive Okie]

more explanation, please

So after after setting to "T" and unbolting the cam gears, do you rotate the cams or move the chain?

[XSive Okie]

Once the CCT is off, is there enough slack in the chain that the cam can be rotated to it's proper position without removing the gears? Providing, of course, you do one cam at a time to ensure the chain doesn't slip on the crank?

[Diskman01]

I ended up removing the cam sprockets and moving the chain around between all 3 sprockets (crank, cams 1 and 2). Got her all lined up. Runs great now.

Had to carefully slightly move the cams as the alignment holes were "off". Once they were good, I was able to put the chain and sprockets back on. Kinda fiddly as you really need one finger in the hole where the CCT goes to keep tension on the whole dealy as you are putting the chain on. lol.