Motorcycle Repair: 1974 Sportster, crankcase pressure, crankcase breather

Question
QUESTION: I've recently started going through an old iron head sportster(1974). The bike was "supposedly" rebuilt on the top end but I'm now finding it hard to believe.

The bike will not start. I've got spark and fuel. It did start once but sounded badly out of time. Yep, as I suspected, one tooth off on the front exhaust valve. The other thing I noticed is that the crankcase breather valve seems to be one tooth off as well. The timing mark on the gear does not sit in the sight window when the timing mark is centered in the timing hole. It seems to be exactly one tooth off. Question is: will this create a non-starting problem due to the obvious increase in crankcase pressure? The oil pressure seems to be very high when I kick the bike over. The bike will also pop once every time I kick the bike over but it doesn't want to start again even with the cams back in proper time. Just the breather gear is one tooth off. Please advise...... Also, where does a guy get a puller for this particular gear? Thanks a ton for any helpful info! Curtis

ANSWER: Do you have points or electronic ignition?
Mike

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: I've got points. They are currently set at .018 while the timing mark is in the center of the window. I've got ignition but I wouldn't say it's the strongest spark I've ever seen. I've checked the spark manually at the points and the plugs. Also just replaced the plugs with the factory spec Harley plugs(#5).

One thing I am somewhat concerned with is the coil is chrome and is not the standard Harley style. This one is aftermarket and looks more automotive in shape and style(cylindrical) with two plug wires. There are the standard positive/negative posts and two plug wires. I'm not sure if its a single spark ignition or other.

The local bike shop tells me that the crankcase breather doesn't need to be perfectly in time and it won't affect the bike(I'm perplexed at that). Please advise. Sorry for the long wind. Thanks for your help. Curtis

Answer
Your breather gear not being timed correctly will not keep it from starting, it will just smoke like crazy when its running. the breather timing mark should be in the slot at top dead center. It might not be perfect in the center, but it should be close. You dont need a puller for the gear, its part of the oil pump. the oil pump has to be pulled out to align it.
Make sure your valves are not to tight. If they are it wont start. Make sure the points are static timed so the bike will start. With a good battery, you should get a hot spark. You might want to test the coil and spark plug wires to make sure they are good.
Good luck and happy riding
Mike