Motorcycle Repair: timing set up, camshaft sprockets, camshaft lobes

Question
hello mark . i have a yamaha xt350cc twin cam single cylinder and i cant set up the timing. i have the t mark on the flywheel and two index marks on each end of camshaft but none on the camshaft sprockets ,there are no marks on the cylinder head or rocker cover either, so i have no idea where to set them up when engine is at top dead centre . can you help thanks

Answer
Hi Stephen,

Turn the rotor counterclockwise and align the "T" mark on the rotor with the crankcase index mark. This position will put you TDC on the compression stroke.

The diagram shows the alignment mark at about 11 o'clock on the crankcase. At TDC, the camshaft lobes will be facing away from the valve shims and lifters. Hope that helps.

The timing marks are on the end of the camshaft, opposite the sprocket side. When you install the camshafts, make sure the marks face up. These marks must align with the camshaft cap timing mark,

The final check is to rotate engine counterclockwise 360 degrees. Make sure "T" mark on rotor aligns with mark on crankcase and that the timing marks in the camshafts align with the timing marks on the camshaft caps.

Respectfully,
Mark Shively