timing belt replacement

[beastie]

If this needs to be in "Tech" would the admins. please move it...thanks

Bike: 97 M900

I was replacing my timing belts and couldn't find the timing marks on the back (inner) covers. I found out that they were missing!! I did, however mark the gears with paint and matched it on the engine casing with paint too. Will that be sufficient? They are not at TDC but figured if nothing moved, I should still be timed right. Which leads me to the helper spring in the timing gear.

Are the springs supposed to be taught when reinstalled or can I just spin the gear where I have marked them. I ask because my vertical cyl. did not spring out when I removed the belt but my horizontal did. Is that normal?

Any reference points I can use if I'm missing the marks on the inner covers?

I'm getting some inner covers but I'm pretty close to riding this thing. Got a bunch of knick knacks worked out and a bunch of new parts in the mail. Kind of anxious to ride it you know!!

Thanks

[Porsche Monkey]

Yes this should be in tech. You can move it yourself I believe.  The timing marks should be easily visible. With the belt covers off there should be a dot on each cam pulley that lines up with a corresponding nipple on the cover base. The mark for the drive pulley is also a dot but lines up with a line on the case cover.