Motorcycle Repair: 87 88 sportster cams, keyway, correct location

Question
QUESTION: i think its a 88 when i put in tdc dots wont line up with piston down thay line up fine crank has a keyway and cam can only go on one way ive been told by some it  has to be in tdc and others say it dont

ANSWER: When installing the cams the bike does not have to be in TDC. You just have to make sure the marks lign up perfectly or the bike wont run correctly
Good luck and happy riding
Mike

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QUESTION: how abought on a 86 it dont have a keyway and the cam can go on more then one way

Answer
The 86 is no different. The gear that drives the cam will only fit one way. Once you have it installed the cams will opnly fit one way and all 4 cams will only line up one way if you have them in the correct location. The mark on the main cam should be pointing, roughly downward and the mark on the drive gear should be pointing upward
Good luck and happy riding
Mike