Alignment Marks for Timing Belts

[allanbegg]

All,

Decided to replace my timing belts as I just recently bought this bike and it has 120K miles on it.
I do not know the maintenance history, but have already fixed a few minor (simple) issues.

The speedometer didn't work because the tangs were bent on the drive washer thing on the axle.
The intake o-rings had been leaking, so they've been replaced.
Found one split vacuum line behind a carb so far and have replaced it.
A valve adjustment, compression and leak-down tests, and carb sync are all planned.

Anyway, back to the timing belts;

Please take a look at the linked photos and confirm that I am seeing things correctly.
I have the trigger wheel (I think that's the name) lined up correctly with the T 1/2 mark at the pointer.
The right side pulley (as seated on the bike) appears to be off by half a tooth, if that's possible.
The left side appears to be off by at least one tooth though. Yikes!

Lastly, the belts say "K&L 15-1459", so I presume they were previously replaced.
I'm doing it again anyway, as I have no idea how long they have been in there.
I can also get about 3/8" - 1/2" of deflection out of the long side, when giving the belts a light push by hand.

https://plus.google.com/photos/109575789128090160557/albums/6161037340509532817?authkey=CODEndPugtjTaA

While at it, please take a look at the picture of my spark plugs. They will be replaced during this exercise, though.

Any comments regarding the timing alignment would be greatly appreciated.
I think I need to re-align everything.

Thanks, Allan

[Dusty]

I'd say you got something out of sync there.  When the belts are installed correctly all line up marks line up. Seeing as you do not know the history I would try and figure out  why things don't line up. Are the belts proper replacements? Those # do not show up in the generic parts list.

Timing Belts
Gates # 275

Napa # 250275

Goodyear  - #40275

Are the keys for the cam gearwheel installed and in good condition?

Let us know what you find.

Dusty

[Mr.BubblesVRCCDS0008]

After you fix the alingment and replace belts be sure to turn the bike over with a socket and a rachet on the timing wheel nut to be sure nothing hits. remove the plugs and it will be easy to turn.

[indybobm]

The manual shows the T1.2 mark on the front of the crank pulley, not the flange next to the block.
Also, if you rotate the engine clockwise to line up the front brake side pulley, the clutch side would then be 2 teeth off?

[Dusty]

 The timing belt installation picture shows the alignment mark on the inner washer. Page 8-27

Dusty

[indybobm]

The picture I referrenced is on page 8-22. The picture on 8-27 seems to show that the mark on the engine side is not aligned with the teeth on the pulley. but the one on the front edge is.
I think both pulleys are off one tooth, each in diifferent directions.

[BonS]

Lastly, the belts say "K&L 15-1459", so I presume they were previously replaced.

That K&L belt is correct for the Valkyrie. Your plugs bodies look pretty crusty. Be sure to check the drain holes that are at the bottom of each spark plug recess hole by pushing a wire through each hole to be sure that they're clear and won't collect water. The plugs are also pretty dark so I'd check the air cleaner.

[allanbegg]

Thanks for all of the input.

I went ahead and removed the belts. As I was installing the new one's, I realigned the timing marks.
I managed to get them spot on. The tensioners were readjusted to take out some of the slack that was in there previously. Turned the crankshaft two full revolutions to make sure there was no contact anywhere,, then two more, just for good measure. No issues, so buttoned it all back up. A new set of plugs were installed and fresh coolant added.

Fired right up and idled smoother than I have heard, since owning it.

Out of curiosity, I counted, and there are 40 teeth on the camshaft pulleys.
That equates to the left side being 9 degrees different than the right, when one tooth out of alignment. That seems like a lot and I would have expected it to run worse than it did.

Yes, I'll check the drain holes in the spark plug wells. Good suggestion. I hadn't tackled the tank removal and air cleaner yet, but will add that to the to-do list.

Again, thanks everyone.

Allan

(PS. I have one of those nifty DigiSync tools that I'm hoping to use for the first time, in the near future. Just need to sort out some of the other issues, first.)

[BonS]

(PS. I have one of those nifty DigiSync tools that I'm hoping to use for the first time, in the near future. Just need to sort out some of the other issues, first.)

Cool!