Bike is not respondng to throttle, popping, performing poorly

[djg42]

I have the cylinder head cover off, and know im realizing i have no idea what im looking for. Im not sure how I check to see if the cam chain jumped a tooth

[BassCliff]

Hi,

Set the #1 piston to TDC. Then there are timing marks (numbers) on the intake and exhaust cam sprockets. There is supposed to be a certain number of links between the sprockets. Sorry I don't have the numbers in my head (18? 20?) but it's in your manual.

EDIT: Sorry, I just noticed that you have a 450. Setting TDC might be a little different for your bike than in the link provided (Thanks Mr. bwringer!). Check your manual.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[djg42]

thanks!
I rotate the crank so its to TDC and then the front sprocket marking "2" points to the 1st chain link,and the rear sprocket marking "3" should point to the 18th chain link. But How do I determine which part of the chain is 18?
DG

[djg42]

ahh i see, like this
when i checked it seem fine, but the chain did jump around when I was rotating the crank shaft so Im still hoping this was the source of my problems.

[Flyboy]

That chain looks very loose between the cams, something does not look right there.
I am sure the chain should be taught between the cams, I am sure something has moved.

[tom203]

ahh i see, like this
when i checked it seem fine, but the chain did jump around when I was rotating the crank shaft so Im still hoping this was the source of my problems.

Chain jumping around ??? you are rotating crank clockwise?
Your recent pics are fantastic- you should do repair guides!

[djg42]

thanks tom!
Unfortunately, this fiasco did nothing to fix my problem.
My bike will idle fine, but when I give it throttle it just stumbles.
Oddly, it only does this when Im sitting on it. If its in neutral on the center stand i can rev it and it sounds normal.
Whats going on here?

PS-I have the tensioner off in the pic, is it ok for it to be that loose when the tensioner is off or is the chain bad?

[djg42]

Thanks! Turns out it was a wire pinched under the seat! Good thing I opened the engine up and checked the cam chain!