Motorcycle Repair: 1981 750 Yamaha Virago, exhaust valves, keyway

Question
took off fly wheel,to put in mew oil pump chain,put it back together, now trying to turn engine over it binds up solid.

Answer
Hi Stephanie,

I do not know what parts you had off
but the gears inside that case under
the flywheel use timing marks for
timing the intake and exhaust valves.

If you didn't move anything then
maybe it is just the flywheel not
positioned right or something
like that. Did you check if the engine
turned after you installed the chain?

I would not try to force it to turn as
damage could occur. Take it apart if
necessary and check everything carefully
to see what is binding.

If the gears are out of time it could
bend the valves if forced to turn.

There is a mark on one of the gears
that aligns with the crankshaft keyway.
Here is a link to some service info
about the timing gears just in case:
http://www.hugedrive.com/published/WG/show.php?q=RFJVSURFQ0s=-3f422d1d

If the flywheel did not go on all the way
it could bind when you installed the outer
cover.

Take care and if you have any more
info you can let me know.

Good luck!
Wayne S.
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