Timing a 1985 GS700ES

[JimRobert]

I'm swapping a set of cams in a motor and need some advice. There were no cams in this motor so I have no clue as to what the settings should be. I bought the bike in dire need of repair. I do not have a manual for this bike. On the crank positioner for the ignition there is a T l F mark and another line just to the right of it on the raised boss that triggers the spark sensor pickup. Which one of these lines is the TDC mark? By turning the motor over by hand it appears to be the line on the raised boss just before the T l F mark. Assuming that I get the mark right, how do I set up the cams to properly time them. I see two arrows on the exhaust cam. One arrow is a number 1 and the other arrow 90 degrees away is a number three. The intake cam has only a number one. Where do I put these and how many links between the two cams? I surely do not want to lunch this motor. Thanks in advance for any assistance. Jim R.

[chef1366]

First make sure your cam chain guide is installed properly. The top should sit plush with the head gasket base. With the crank trigger pointing towards the 1-4 pickup line the T up to the line. That is TDC for #1 cylinder. Put the exhaust cam in first. Line the number one arrow up with the gasket base of the head. Pull the chain up and over the cam sprocket and double check that the crank did not move and you're still on TDC. Put the cam caps on the exhaust cam. Do not over tighten!!! Arrow #3 on the exhaust cam will be pointing about straight up. Count 20 chain pins including the one directly above the arrow. The 20th pin should be directly above arrow #1 on the intake cam sprocket. Do not put the cam caps on the intake camshaft until you install the cam chain tensioner. Be careful when you release the tensioner that you don't jump any teeth on the sprockets. Now put on the cam caps on the intake cams. Turn the crank a few times around and double check the timing marks.
The 20 count for the cam chain pins is for my 1100 so if it is wrong please someone speak up.

[rphillips]

BE SURE!!! you are on the "T" for 1-4, the "T" for 2-3 looks the same, but will be 180 degree off

[JimRobert]

BE SURE!!! you are on the "T" for 1-4, the "T" for 2-3 looks the same, but will be 180 degree off

Thanks for the info. I only see one T on this plate. I have it all set up and it looks good. Thanks guys.

[Steve]

My 650 Clymer manual shows 19 teeth for the chain-drive models and 20 teeth for the shafties.

My 850 manual (all shafties) shows 20 teeth.


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