SLUGGISH after Timing belt change HELP!

[Mallett]

I did a timing belts change recently & my Valk doesn't seem to have the same zip as it had before. I thought I was being very careful about keeping everything lined up. What if I was one notch off putting on the belt? Would that cause it to be sluggish?

[John Schmidt]

Yup, sure can. Pull the cover off again, pull the plugs so you can turn it over by hand with a wrench on the front. Put the front timing marks together(center wheel on the crank) and see if the timing marks on the pulleys line up with the marks on the housing. If not, start over. I put the right side(left as you face the front) on the mark with the crank mark lined up, then put a box end wrench on the bolt and tie it off so it can't move. Then set the other side.

[Mallett]

Yup, sure can. Pull the cover off again, pull the plugs so you can turn it over by hand with a wrench on the front. Put the front timing marks together(center wheel on the crank) and see if the timing marks on the pulleys line up with the marks on the housing. If not, start over. I put the right side(left as you face the front) on the mark with the crank mark lined up, then put a box end wrench on the bolt and tie it off so it can't move. Then set the other side.

Thanks John...I'll try that.

[Patrick]

Hopefully all will be OK.  But, if you find one off a tooth or so then I would suggest a compression test.
I also set the tension a little looser than normal [3/8"] which keeps the belts a bit quieter.

[3W-lonerider]

if your 1 tooth off a compression test would not be necessary. it would take more than that for a piston to hit a valve.
I once had a guy ride his bike to my house from 500 miles away with both belts 1 tooth off. redid them and ran great..

[longrider]

I replaced belts on a 97 a few years back that had one side a tooth off right from the factory.  I found that hard to believe and double then triple checked to be sure, but it was out one tooth 

[Mallett]

Thanks for the relays...I took the timing cover off & checked the alignment...it was spot on...I then took the pulse generators off & checked them...They were real dirty...took a knife & cleaned the contacts....seems to be running better now....again thanks.