Cam timing off?

[bubba zanetti]

Howdy GSR's!
I've gotten a lot of help from this site in the past (especially the Carb Cleanup). I've tried searching different threads concerning my new questions but have not found much, so if someone knows of a good link to a thread please let me know. Anyhoo, I think my cams may have jumped a tooth on the sprockets and i'm wondering how to get the cams properly timed again.

It all started when I was about to do a valve clearance adjustment on my 1980 GS750e. When i crank the crankshaft, by hand, into the TDC 1.4 position the notches on the end of the camshafts do not align to point straight in or straight out, they are just a bit askew. Also the #3 and #2 marks are not pointing straight up, they point ever so slightly to the left. Counting the links on the camchain between the #3 and #2 marks I do come up with the correct 20 links.

Alternately, if I crank the crankshaft into a position where the camshaft notches and number marks line up to where they should, then the timing marks at the ignition pickup do not line up where they should.

So any suggestions? looking through my manuals I don't see any obvious instructions on getting everything timed right or how to make adjustments, am i missing something?

P.S. the bike starts ok (i think it could start easier) and runs really good with only a slight hesitation when starting from a stop.

thanks for any input!

*dave

[Nessism]

Move the crank to align 1-4 T with the indicator and then check where the -1 mark on the exhaust cam sprocket points - it should be level with the cam cover surface. This is the proper way to judge timing, not with the notches.

[bubba zanetti]

Thank you much! I just finished getting the cams timed correctly. They were both off by one tooth. The old gal should be running great soon!

*dave

[almarconi]

Once you get everything set, make sure that the cam chain tensioner is putting tension against the chain before you try to rotate the engine otherwise everything will move out of adjustment.

I had a problem setting up an 8v engine before, couldn't get everything lined up. I was off by a tooth and could figure out why. Somehow I managed to bump the crank(must have brushed against it) just enough to move it off the 1-4 alignment mark. Once I moved the crank to the correct position everything just fell into place.

[bubba zanetti]

I can't think of too many things so satisfiying as completing a job on a motorcycle and being rewarded immediately with a perfectly running bike! Woo Hoo!! Thanks!