valve adjustment/timing GS1100E

[MWrider]

First valve adjustment with the bike in my ownership. I've read the article on the 16 valve adjustment by Mr. Matchless on bikecliff's site. And of course the factory manual.

When I line up the "t" mark in the timing window, the notches on the camshafts aren't lined up very well. And vise versa.

Does this mean my timing is off? It makes more sense to me to line up the cam notches for the valve adjustment. The valves need way more clearance in any case, so this needs to be addressed. Does it matter in what order I adjust the timing and valve clearances?

EDIT: So I just read that the ignition timing requires no maintenance, so presumably it is ok. So is it better then to line up the notches just so, or use the T-mark?

 

[Guest]

That is fine

 

[bonanzadave]

That is fine

Or is his crank tweaked ? It is an 82........

 

[MWrider]

That is fine

Using the cam notches or the T mark?

 

[Guest]

Always use TDC
I thought you were taking a pic of the cam ends with it on TDC
If so it is fine

 

[Guest]

Or is his crank tweaked ? It is an 82........

The notches are so close it would be hard to measure from the spark plug hole. I'd use a degree wheel and a piston stop.
It looks fine to me.

 

[MWrider]

So with the T line lined up it is at TDC? I just adjusted all of the valves with the T mark lined up as in the pic. They ALL needed more gap.

 

[Guest]

Are you using a manual or have you done this before?
You use TDC for 1&4 for some valves and TDC for 2&3 to do others.
I personally just make sure the cam lobe is facing away from the lifter/tappets being adjusted.

 

[MWrider]

I am using the factory manual, and I've done this before but only on the Tiger. The Triumph has a window in the crankcase that you can drop a screwdriver into to get TDC, so no need to pull the points cover.

I followed the diagram in the manual to adjust the valves, using the 2 TDC positions. I didn't realize the "T" notch indicated TDC. Now I know!

I'll double check they were done correctly looking at the cam lobes as you said just to make sure.