[CaptEMRG]

How can I be sure the I have hit TDC? Had the front exhaust cam fall out when fixing an oil leak. Ready to reassemble, but want to confirm this as I do not want to bend a rod or worse.
Any ideas or tips?

Thanks from Colorado

[chucktx]

not sure what you are working on, but on my pan, i put my finger over the plug hole, building pressure. when the pressure stops i use a small dowel rod in the hole and slowly continue rotating the engine, helping the rod out of the hole until it starts to go back in the hole.....top dead center....i also look through the inspection hole in the block....the flywheels are marked....but not always..i am also sure that your service manual has the procedure also..best tool in the box...hope this helps a bit
chuck

[Clem]

The soda straw method works pretty good too. Remove the plugs, rotate the engine with the rear wheel and watch the rear cylinder come up to TDC and note if the rockers are in the rocked position (between closing the exhaust and opening the intake). With the rear cylinder in the rocked position - use the soda straw to bring the front cyl to TDC with just a small amount of rotation. That is the firing stroke on the front cylinder and the easiest point to replace the cam since both of the front cam lobes will be down (away from the lifters) at that point.

Bill C.

[CaptEMRG]

Thanks Fellas, You have confirmed I was doing it right. Haven't had a bike in a while and haven't worked on one in a longer time. So, the techniques are not fresh in my mind. I'll button it up today.

Thanks again