Page 1 of 4
Cam Timing Help - Please
Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 7:56 pm
Author: Wingman
Hi,
I'm hoping that someone will be able to help me with what is probably a stupid question. I'm just in the final stages of getting my bike back together after years off the road and am puting the camshafts in the trouble is I can't decide what postion the exhaust cam should be in when setting up the cam timing. There are 2 marks on the cam sprocket rubber which I thoght should be parallel to the head but then I also thought that the slots on the ends of the exhaust and inlet cams should point out - but both these can't be true - wish I'd looked before I'd taken it apart. Any help really appreciated.
Thanks.
Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 8:20 pm
Author: Pigford
Wingman, the marks on the cam sprockets, aligned with the sprocket bolt, should point outwards, in line with the top of the cylinder head
The sprocket mark is the one thats level with the single bolt, opposite the 'pair' of bolts on the sprocket
Fit the cam chain & take the first link pin, after the mark on the ex cam, level with the head. Count to 28th pin, which should line up with 28 mark on inlet cam sprox.
Timing marks - 1:4 aligned (1 & 4 TDC)
This is for early round cam cover zeds Z900 & early 1000's
Posted: Thu Jan 31, 2008 8:55 pm
Author: Wingman
Hi Pigford,
Thanks very much for your reply - I'll do that tomorrow and hopefully I can fire it up in the afternoon!
Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 8:16 am
Author: chrisu
this may help...............

Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 8:32 am
Author: knut
hi,i was checking my cam/timing yesterday ,and it looks like my inlet sprocket is 1 tooth of place ,in a clockwise direction,at least thats what i think,should the cam arrow line up directly with the cylinder surface ? i,ll try and post a pic of it tonight ,another question , would that explain 1 & 2 cylinders running rich and 3 & 4 lean ?
thanks guys
Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 9:48 am
Author: Wingman
Hi Chrisu,
Thanks very much - that's a relly helpful diagram.
Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 10:21 am
Author: chrisu
oh and check it carefully before you rotate the engine.
when you do rotate it do it by hand the first time and then recheck marks still line up.
ok if you've done it a few times but first time be extra careful.
this has been a public service announcement

Posted: Fri Feb 01, 2008 10:26 am
Author: chrisu
Pigford wrote:Wingman, the marks on the cam sprockets, aligned with the sprocket bolt, should point outwards, in line with the top of the cylinder head
The sprocket mark is the one thats level with the single bolt, opposite the 'pair' of bolts on the sprocket
Fit the cam chain & take the first link pin, after the mark on the ex cam, level with the head. Count to 28th pin, which should line up with 28 mark on inlet cam sprox.
Timing marks - 1:4 aligned (1 & 4 TDC)
This is for early round cam cover zeds Z900 & early 1000's
also the same for the proper square cam cover Z1000s as well..........
bigmac take a look
Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2008 5:38 pm
Author: Steve Cooke
bigmac103 this is the only way I know how to bring it up i'm not as computer friendly a some on here, good pics from chrisu which should help you.
Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2008 5:47 pm
Author: tlc
chrisu wrote:also the same for the proper square cam cover Z1000s as well..........
Proper ? Square Cam cover ?
Surely Chris, not in the same sentence

Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2008 5:51 pm
Author: Magnum1
I like that drawing

Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2008 5:53 pm
Author: bigmac103
Thanks Steven, I think reading the above I now have bent valves. Not sure this is a job for my small brain. I followed the book when adjusting the tensioner and seemed to have screwed it up. Does anyone fancy a trip down to Spain and give Me a hand?
Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2008 6:02 pm
Author: tlc
Are you paying for flights
We`ll all come down

Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2008 6:08 pm
Author: bigmac103
Glad too.
Posted: Sun Dec 14, 2008 6:27 pm
Author: Steve Cooke
If that is the case it's not as difficult as you might think, at least you can remove the head from the engine while in situ.