2001 ST1100 Timing Belt Challenge

[Al st1100]

No, because the cam sprocket is keyed to the shaft it slips on.

I know that but when turning the gear in the opposite direction ( to take the guide cover off ) if the belt is loose enough it can slip on the cam sprocket

 

[wjbertrand]

After reading all of this, if it were my bike, I would correct all the alignment marks back to factory whether the valves needed shimming or not. My fear is that someone (next owner, a shop somewhere, even myself) would "correct" the pulley timing mark not realizing / remembering to realign the cams properly - boom major engine damage. It's a set up for future issues to leave it this way.

 

[GGely]

No worries, John.

I want to rotate the LH camshaft pulley clockwise (after removing the camshafts) in order to align the mark on the pulley with the case projection. As a result, should I be counting the belt teeth from the RH pulley mark to the case projection? Then remove the belt etc?

 

[dwalby]

No worries, John.

I want to rotate the LH camshaft pulley clockwise (after removing the camshafts) in order to align the mark on the pulley with the case projection. As a result, should I be counting the belt teeth from the RH pulley mark to the case projection? Then remove the belt etc?

yeah, count the belt teeth between the right and left alignment points (in your case use the two projection pointers on the engine case). The idea is to have a second reference point after putting the new belt on. If the pointers align, and the belt tooth count between them matches, then you know you're good. Mark the belt teeth at those two points with a sharpie, then you can count them later after the belt is off.

 

[John OoSTerhuis]

^^^^
What Doug said.

Count the teeth between index MARKS on the cam reduction holders before you pull the old belt.

 

[GGely]

That was my expectation but after the PUNCH MARK debacle, I thought I’d clarify the plan...

Thanks guys!