1980 GL 1100 Camshaft Pulley Aligment

[ctm1969]

Gentlemen. Hi. First of all, congratulations for this forum!!! Lot of valuable information.

I picked up recently a non running 1980 GL1100 Interstate with 62K Miles and I have been working to bring her back alive. After replacing the starter, cleaning the ground cables, replacing plugs, cleaning the carbs etc.. I got it running. However, I have some backfiring at low rpm in the air chamber and exhaust coming from the left side carbs #2 & #4.

After reading some posts, I decided to check the valve clearance and timing. So, I have removed the camshaft belt & valve covers and turned the engine manually until I got TDC / T1 mark aligned with the case marker. Then I checked the camshaft pulleys for alignment between the mark in the pulley and the backing plate. To my surprise the pulleys are off alignment like 1-2 teeth. (See attached pictures)

The question is.. Can I remove the belts (without moving or rotating the camshaft) and then align the pulleys manually with marks?

BTW: I am also thinking in replacing the belts as well.

Any help would be highly appreciated !!!

 

[dan filipi]

Keep the crank at T1 and reset the pulleys on the mark not a problem.

I'm curious though, if the cams were set to "F1"

 

[slabghost]

Yes you can reposition the belts on the cam pullies. Without moving them might be quite the trick though as spring tension on the cam followers will move them. Seems from the pics left side is one tooth advanced while right is one tooth behind. Since both are out of position and will need moved it might be the best time to replace the belts. Be very careful to follow the procedure correctly. Too much variation can cause bent valves or worse.

 

[dan filipi]

If you back off the valve adjusters the cams will be easier to turn.

 

[mcgovern61]

Agree with what they said! Welcome to the site from New Jersey! :clapping:

 

[AApple]

Looks like BOTH cams are "off" by the same number of teef. I would double-check to make sure you are on the correct timing mark on the crank before removing anything. From what I have learned, two teef off on these engines will introduce the valves to the tops of the pistons really quick.

 

[kerryb]

Welcome to cgw.

I like to put a socket through one of the holes in the timing pulley and clamp it to the backing plate with a long finger wood clamp to keep the pulley lined up while I struggle with belts. (Don't ask me how I know to put the belts on the clamp first)

 

[Steve83]

Welcome from Southern California! +1 on replacing the belts - they're cheap, and you're already in there.

 

[ekvh]

Looks to me like each is advanced one tooth. It's possible the PO did this to move torque curve lower for better low end power. It might be flirtin with disaster, but can be done. If you've been riding it like this, note what you feel and see if you can tell the difference. Another check would be to check compression before and after moving them back. I have messed with mine (1200) and felt like a whole tooth was too much, but did run. Definitely safer to get it moved back to the marks.

 

[Ansimp]

Welcome from Oz.
Nice to see another ST1300 and Valkyrie as well as a project Oldwing. :good:

 

[chilidawg]

$28 for a pair.

Get a pair.

As said previously, your in there & you gotta take em off, who knows how long they've been on there.

https://www.amazon.com/Gates-T274-Timin ... words=T274