Cam Timing --- GS1100EZ

[7981GS]

forget trying to time it by the camshaft end notches.

the #1 arrow is slightly under the head surface and the arrow for #1 points to the middle of a link plate. (do not have it in between plates)

the #2 arrow points to the forward pin of a link plate so when counting pins you are on an even number when moving on from plate to plate.

#3 arrow points at #20 and it is the rearward pin of a link plate..

turn the engine 720 degrees by hand and recheck alignment.

done.

I see by your last photo the exhaust cam is off 1 tooth- the #2 points to the front pin of a link plate, so 19 or 20 gap are both wrong.

And...

Mine never point at each other either.
Looks like you have the timing right on the cams. Is the T on your advance on the 1&4 it looks like 2&3 to me?
It looks like you have the crank trigger off 90 degrees.

[gearhead13]

I dont know about this 19 pin for canada thing. Where is that from? I always set mine at 20 pins. I also degree them now so I know they are right.
The timing rotor has two T marks 180 deg apart, but only the #1 (correct one) has also the f and full advance marks as well.
Dont worry so much about the slots on the ends of the cams, just the #1 2 and 3 marks on the cam sprockets.

[psyguy]

FC, this is what I was saying in the other thread...

The numbers on the sprockets don't affect anything here. The slotted cam sprockets DO! You will need to degree the cams correctly to get it to run it's best. If they are stock cams you can just put some stock, not slotted sprockets back on them & install to factory specs. Someone has been in this thing & probably for a reason. Ray.

... that your sprockets may be slotted and cams degreed so when you set the cams to 20 pins the end notches do not face directly each other.

I would either get a correct sprocket OR set your setup to 20 pins and call it a day.

[Flaming Chainsaws]

It's setup back to 20 pins. The camshaft notches are still off but only a little.

Tried to start it and this is what happens. It backfires.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aWAZ0_tat7w

Took off the can and midpipe and I see flames shoot out!

Timing is still off am I right?

[chef1366]

On the ignition at the crank look at the advance. It should say T and you should also see a 1&4. With it at the 1&4 T (top dead center 1&4) the pointer at the end of the crank should be pointed at the left pickup facing the bike.
With the engine at the proper TDC then time the cams with twenty pins between arrows.
If it is still a flame thrower you have bent or stuck valves.
Do you have clearance at your tappets?

[Flaming Chainsaws]

On the ignition at the crank look at the advance. It should say T and you should also see a 1&4. With it at the 1&4 T (top dead center 1&4) the pointer at the end of the crank should be pointed at the left pickup facing the bike.
With the engine at the proper TDC then time the cams with twenty pins between arrows.
If it is still a flame thrower you have bent or stuck valves.
Do you have clearance at your tappets?

I actually just adjusted the valves an hour ago. They were tight! Now all valves are within spec.


Is this wrong?

[Tom R]

I always found it hard to adjust my valve clearances with a full blade like that because you're angle of approach is not straight in. I modified my .004", .005", and .006 inch blades by cutting and bending the tip of it a bit. Much easier now.

[chef1366]

No that's right!
Now you need to ask yourself a few questions
Is the head good?
Are the carbs good?
Is the ignition good?
I'd do a compression check to rule out the head.
Are the plug wires on the right plugs?

[Flaming Chainsaws]

No that's right!
Now you need to ask yourself a few questions
Is the head good?
Are the carbs good?
Is the ignition good?
I'd do a compression check to rule out the head.
Are the plug wires on the right plugs?

I can't do a compression check since I don't have the tool to do it .

Carbs? Fuel gets to the float bowls and the sparkplugs are wet with gas.

Plug wires.... Coil 1 (left) is plugged into cylinders 1 and 4. Coil 2 (right) is plugged into cylinders 2 and 3. There's a guy on craigslist selling a brand new set of green 3 ohm Dyna DC1-1 coils with the wires and caps. Should I get that?

[psyguy]

FC, I've been following your other threads and I'm with "chef" - that bike should fire up nicely given all the work that you've done - so as you're still having troubles getting it to idle nicely I think something's NOT right somewhere (and i don't think the problem is something as small as valve clerances but something more serious)

[psyguy]

Dyna coils and leads are a good upgrade anyway but I would want to KNOW what's wrong not just replace parts randomly. Though, on my bike I ended up replacing most parts... lol

[Flaming Chainsaws]

FC, I've been following your other threads and I'm with "chef" - that bike should fire up nicely given all the work that you've done - so as you're still having troubles getting it to idle nicely I think something's NOT right somewhere (and i don't think the problem is something as small as valve clerances but something more serious)

It doesn't even idle. It doesn't even start!

Damn... If it's something serious, then I most likely can't fix it and can't afford it. What now? I don't want to give up on this bike but I will have to if there is any serious damage to the engine..... Unless someone has another good engine.

[psyguy]

There's often members on this friendly forum who are prepared to help out a fellow GSR member if they live in the same area - so that's worth looking into - as it can be pretty hard to diagnose a fault through the forum only and having someone go over it in person is worth a lot. I'm tooo far away though

[Flaming Chainsaws]

There's often members on this friendly forum who are prepared to help out a fellow GSR member if they live in the same area - so that's worth looking into - as it can be pretty hard to diagnose a fault through the forum only and having someone go over it in person is worth a lot. I'm tooo far away though

I posted a help thread on pnwriders.com and I got a WMRRA racer coming over to check it out . However, I feel like he will give me bad news .

http://pnwriders.com/westside/155594-who-here-likes-wrench-have-some-free-time.html

[gearhead13]

From the speed that it was turning over with the starter i dont think there is much compression there.
Were the cam sprockets on the cams when you got them? Because the sprockets can be mounted 180 deg out as well.