MY CAMSHAFT MARKER is NOT PERFECTLY VERTICAL

[ANLAF]

Just finished putting the top end back together after new pistons and rings arrived.

Withe the cylinder head in place and the three bolts put in (but not torqued) I put the pistons at top dead centre lined up with my new accurate mark on the PMA. I slide the camshalft through the cam chain (took a bit of work with the new, tight cam chain) and put the bearings in place.

I noticed that the cam chain marker which should be vertical, is in fact a couple of degrees off vertical (say three minutes to the hour if is was a clock). I moved it to vertical and the marker on the PMA shifted slightly in advance of TDC. The pistons don't seem to have moved any.

QUESTION
Should I remove the head cover again and try to re-align?

Anlaf

 

[retiredgentleman]

There is a punch mark on the right side of the camshaft gear. When the crankshaft is at TDC, the punch mark should be exactly even with the top surface of the head.

 

[ANLAF]

Retiredgentleman, that's the marker I mean - it was inclined ever so slightly left as you look (pistons at TDC).

So, I took off the head, released the cam chain adjuster, removed the bearings and moved the chain one link (from th eback to the front - still not right. I moved it another link - perfection.

I have put it back together now and ready to finish off putting on the exhaust pipes, carbs, etc - but WOW! I was two links off (think of the timing problems!).

Thanks for your comments, Retiredgentleman, appreciated as ever.

Anlaf

 

[retiredgentleman]

Well done, glad you got that bad boy lined up.

I don't think we are talking about the same reference marks. The vertical mark (its a slot) is on the left side, and should be at 12:00. The punch mark (just a dot), is on the right side of the gear, and should be exactly even with the top surface of the head, so that is 09:00.

 

[ANLAF]

Ah! ha - I just looked on the donor engine camshaft and I see the mark. I set the the slot exactly vertical so the dot will be at 9.00.

I just finished putting the whole bike together - tomorrow a late summer ride (or will it be early autumn?).

Anlaf

 

[ANLAF]

Ah! ha - I just looked on the donor engine camshaft and I see the mark. I set the the slot exactly vertical so the dot will be at 9.00.

I just finished putting the whole bike together - tomorrow a late summer ride (or will it be early autumn?).

Anlaf