Valve check question

[ggemelos]

I am in the process of checking the valves on my M1100.  I am pretty sure I found TDC on the vertical cylinder.  Using the Ducati tool, I rotate the crank until I see the intake valve close.  I then continue to rotate until I see the mark on the wheel that coincides with the point where air stops coming out of the spark plug hole.  I assume this is TDC for the vertical cylinder.  At this point I can spin the opening shims for both the exhaust and intake valve.  The clearance I measure for the exhaust here seems tight.  In particular, if I measure a bit after the intake value opens and the exhaust has been closed for a bit, the clearance is larger.  I thought the valves would be fully at rest (closed) at TDC and this would be the point of greatest clearance.  Am I doing something wrong here?  This is my first time checking the valves on the monster and any help would be greatly appreciated. 

[EEL]

So I've always used the notch on the main gear.. For horizontal it's easy to spot as the notch lines up with the notch on the case to identify TDC. For vertical that notch ends up in the 3 o'clock position.

Once you find TDC on the vertical, mark it with nail polish on the cam gear for future reference.

OK to measure with belts on,  but valve adjustments with the belts off is easier 

[ggemelos]

Thanks for the reply.  I have three sets of timing marks I can see.  Two are single dots and one is a set of two dots close together (so four dots total).  I am under the impression that TDC is associated with the two single timing marks, one for each cylinder. (I do not see any marking to align the timing marking with, I have just been putting them in the center of the sight window)  Using these markings, I set the vertical cylinder to TDC.  Both intake and exhaust valve appear close and I can spin the opening shims on both.  If I measure the clearance on the exhaust valve, it is tight about 0.03mm.  But if I spin the crank to a bit after the intake valve opens (the exhaust valve is closed) the clearance on the exhaust valve is 0.05mm.  I always thought the clearance would be highest at TDC. 

[EEL]

you have one mark on each cam lobe for each cylinder.

Then you have a mark on the double pulley. That is the one that establishes TDC along with the cams. The mark on the double pulley needs to line up with the slash on the engine case. Line up the mark (and make sure the piston is at the top) for TDC on horizontal. For vertical mark should be a 3am (with piston on top) for vertical.

Your play should be highest at TDC. You should literally be able to wiggle the opener cam if its not loaded.

[ggemelos]

you have one mark on each cam lobe for each cylinder.

Then you have a mark on the double pulley. That is the one that establishes TDC along with the cams. The mark on the double pulley needs to line up with the slash on the engine case. Line up the mark (and make sure the piston is at the top) for TDC on horizontal. For vertical mark should be a 3am (with piston on top) for vertical.

Your play should be highest at TDC. You should literally be able to wiggle the opener cam if its not loaded.

Seems like I may be doing something wrong.  I have been using the marks on the fly wheel (the sight opening on the left side of the motor near the crank access hole) to find TDC.  I have not been looking at the cam lobes.  I will take a look at the cam lobe marks.  What are the marks on the fly wheel for?  Thanks a lot for the feedback. 

[DarkMonster620]

It might be for a HM1100 but, mechanicals are identical,

https://drive.google.com/open?id=0ByWmgp1DWQaidlJmMkRTWmNobjQ

[Armor]

Look in through the spark plug hole and see when the piston is at TDC and both valves are closed.  A mark on the flywheel should line up.  Should be the lowest point on the cams.

[EEL]

Seems like I may be doing something wrong.  I have been using the marks on the fly wheel (the sight opening on the left side of the motor near the crank access hole) to find TDC.  I have not been looking at the cam lobes.  I will take a look at the cam lobe marks.  What are the marks on the fly wheel for?  Thanks a lot for the feedback.  

The marks on the flywheel are a way to get TDC spot on. The marks on the double pulley is to get it darn close to TDC. The notch in the crankcase is fairly vague.

All of these marks are representing TDC on the horizontal cylinder. The vertical is not represented. 3'oclock on the double pulley is approximately TDC. Look at the piston to determine.

It doesnt have to be exact to measure clearances as both cams remain unloaded for a few degrees in each direction from TDC.

Stick your finger in the sparkplug hole. When you start feeling pressure (air backing up and forcing out around your finger, you're reaching TDC on that cylinder.

[ggemelos]

The marks on the flywheel are a way to get TDC spot on. The marks on the double pulley is to get it darn close to TDC. The notch in the crankcase is fairly vague.

All of these marks are representing TDC on the horizontal cylinder. The vertical is not represented. 3'oclock on the double pulley is approximately TDC. Look at the piston to determine.

It doesnt have to be exact to measure clearances as both cams remain unloaded for a few degrees in each direction from TDC.

Stick your finger in the sparkplug hole. When you start feeling pressure (air backing up and forcing out around your finger, you're reaching TDC on that cylinder.

I did not realize that all the marks on the alternator flywheel were with regards to the horizontal cylinder.  That maybe the issue then.  I was under the impression that each cylinder had its own mark.  From looking at the opening and closing of the valves, it did seem that TDC for each cylinder aligned with one of the marks.  The thing that concerned me was that it appeared the exhaust valve (mostly on the vertical cylinder) had a larger clearance a little after the intake opened than when I measured it at TDC.  I will have to go measure everything again this weekend and verify.  Just to verify, should the valve clearances be at their largest at TDC?  Thanks again for all the help. 

[EEL]

I should correct myself. Flywheel has a mark for each cylinder. The cam lobes and the double pulley are marked for horizontal TDC only