.....yes, there is progress!

With the left crankcase cover off it is possible to get the timing chain back onto its driving sprocket, so it is done - it is not very accessible behind the genny, but with a bit of manouvering with finger ends the chain is shifted across and the driven camshaft gearwheel at the top is also back in place while that side cover is off - the timing marks referenced in my manual (for a complete engine build from nothing) are not visible (they are hidden by the genny rotor) so I thought, at first, that I could not do the timing with the crank cover off - however, remembering that the little "window" is approximately around "north west" as Auke called it, there is only one place for the marks on the flywheel when the crank is at TDC - that's what I reckon anyway - I will be able to check this when I have that cover back in place; at worst it should need only small adjustment and no major further work.

Currently back into cleaning up mating surfaces for the replacement crank cover gasket. Damn, am I getting good at that job!!

There was nothing obviously stopping the timing chain from slipping back over its bottom sprocket - the chain guides do not touch the chain in any obvious manner - it was just a case of pushing against it with the finger ends and rotating the crank nut to take up the slack and getting the tension onto the chain.

Thanks Ted for that last information - gave me a start point for exploring the innards of that sidecover.

So, there you go, maybe I will get to ride the bitch this summer!!!!!!


Dave

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Dave