Motorcycle Repair: Cam Timing VS1400 Intruder Suzuki, intruder suzuki, compression stroke

Question
The information that I have is not clear enough.
I am setting the cam timing. The book calls for settng the rear cylincer as follows. Piston TDC / Crank marking at the bottom. Cam sprocket even with cylinder head as indicated by the line marking and Arrow pointing toward the exhaust port. Once this is set, rotate Cranshaft to Front TDC. Ensure that this is in the compression stroke. They do not distinguish if the two cylinders are on different strokes. By this I mean if the one cylinder completes the compression stroke is the second cylinder starting the compression stroke next in sequence?
Thanks for your assistance.
This is on a 1997 Suzuki intruder VS1400.

Answer
Hi Steve,

Repair manuals can be difficult to understand.

To determine compression stroke, unthread spark plugs just about completely. Rotate crankshaft and listen for escaping air from spark plug holes. When you hear the hissing, start watching for timing marks. Compression stroke is happening when hissing occurs.

Cylinders are probably 180 degrees out of phase from each other.


Four Stroke Cycles:

Intake
Compression
Power
Exhaust



Respectfully,
Mark Shively