81' gs450sx timing question ( light vehicle mechanic now playing with bikes)

[Balystic450]

Hi,
I'm currently rebuilding an 1981 gs450 sx and I am now reassembling the engine and I'm up to the point of timing the cam and crank shafts. Basically I have been a light vehicle mechanic for 5 year and this is my first bike engine build basically rather then putting it back together and having it timed incorrectly can some one tell me if I have gotten it right.
If I find TDC on the right hand side piston as you sit on the bike do I then use the timing wheel from this site and use it as a reference and run the cam around having the chain tight on the exhaust side first, then roll the intake can up and roll the chain on then fit the chain tensioner? Am I on the right track or have I missed something?
I found working in the industry that it's better to ask questions sooner rather then later.
Any help would be muchly appreciated
Cheers Alex

[Steve]

Good on you for asking first.


I don't know if it's the right piston (#2) or the left piston (#1) that needs to be at TDC to align the cam, but that information is in your service manual.

You do have a manual, don't you?

If not, go to BassCliff's "little" site (bookmark that site) and grab a copy of a manual for your bike.

Whle you are there, click on the READ ME! link that is just to the left of his bike picture, it will give you his "Mega-Welcome" and introduce you to the wonderful world of GSR.

.

[Balystic450]

Thanks for the info Steve,

I had downloaded a PDF for my bike and read through it but it was very vague on the procedure and was aimed at a few different model which confused me a bit. So I'll go and check out the link and hopefully get a clearer picture

Cheers Alex

[pete]

Hey Alex, welcome! I'm just a little up the road from you

Hopefully this will help:

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=158670&page=46

Look at posts #458 and #459 in my rebuild thread for cam timing.

[Balystic450]

Awesome!
thanks Pete cleared everything up nicely
Cheers
Alex

[pete]

Glad to hear it Alex

Now we really need to see some pic's of your ride!

[Thumper88]

I had to play with mine a little bit. At first I had the #1 arrow slightly above the gasket surface, 130psi on both cylinders. Then I moved it one tooth (keeping the 18 teeth spacing) and the #1 arrow was below the gasket surface, 170psi both cylinders.
If I remember correctly, the Clymer's manual says it should point level with the surface or slightly below it. Everything else is clearly shown in the manual.