Hello all. Long time lurker first time poster. I'm reaching out about a project cfmoto that I have and can't get right.

Bottom line up front. I bought a project that the previous owner stated only needed a top end. Lol

What I know. I replaced the top end and set the timing. It ran, but ran like crap, wouldn't go over 14 mph, exhaust got red hot. I thought timing issue. Pulled it back apart. Timing chain is a bit loose. Lurked here for a bit and found that some 15's had chain stretching issues. Ordered new chains but now have to wait a couple weeks. In the interim I decided to play around.

Rechecked timing, was Able to cheat the timing chain to get it tight, not the best but not permanent, and started to check stuff while I was waiting.
Compression is decent 125 psi cylinder 1 and 127 psi cylinder 2. Figured that was good on a cold motor. Without the rings being seated yet. Performed a leak down test. Both cylinders are dead nuts at 15%. That verify the valves are sealing. Im leaning towards electronic issue now. The #1 plug was a bit wet and the #2 plug looked good. On initial startup.

What am I missing, probably a lot, and where do I go from here. I can't get over the red hot exhaust... To me that's always been a timing issue and fuel is burning in exhaust.

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

Welcome. Well, there has been some bad chain and cam gear mismatch issues on some but normally the tensioners always keep the chains tight until they either stretch too far or a bar has ab issue. Not sure why yours had a loose chain but need to figure that out.

I might be inclined to see if that rich cylinder's fuel injector is stuck and leaking..and check the CPS readings as there have been some that have failed. Also make sure there is full voltage too everything especially the coils. Low voltage can do lots of weird things.

Here's a pic on the miss-matched chain and gear. If yours look like this..don't even start it as they jump.

I planned on doing a poor man's check on injectors tomorrow... Put the injectors in Separate containers and see if the levels match up after some cranking. I don't know how else to check them. I never though about the crank sensor. I don't even know how to check that. Currently I have my Harley battery on a trickle that seems to be putting ample volts to components. Will verify that with a multimeter tomorrow.

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

Leaky injectors are pretty easy. Just pull it, hook the fuel back up and the control wire, turn on the key. Chances of it being on the trigger point are pretty low so if it strays or drips..or dribbles...irs not shutting and probably has something in it. Getting it out..well that's the challenge. Most people just get a new one. 

What was your process for setting the cam timing??

A lot of folks end up setting one of the cylinders wrong.... Setting the cam to TDC compression when the piston is actually at TDC exhaust.

I'll check injectors tomorrow.

To set timing I get the #2(front) lined up in the CPS hole. Set the cam gear marks parallel with cylinder. Rotate motor counter clockwise until #1 is in the CPS hole. Then line up that cam gear and marks. That's how I read the manual. Is that not correct?

I'll check injectors tomorrow.

To set timing I get the #2(front) lined up in the CPS hole. Set the cam gear marks parallel with cylinder. Rotate motor counter clockwise until #1 is in the CPS hole. Then line up that cam gear and marks. That's how I read the manual. Is that not correct?

The first thing to keep in mind, best practice is to always rotate any engine in its normal direction of rotation. For the CFMOTO V twin, that would be counter-clockwise when rotating from the magneto bolt.

What you described would put your #1 (starter side cylinder) at TDC exhaust.

1. Once you set #2, (#2 in CPS window and cam sprocket marks parallel to deck surface) and install the tensioner
2. starting from the positioning above, rotate the engine counter clockwise when viewed from the magneto bolt
3. #1 will appear in the CPS window fairly soon, in about a 1/8 of a turn (that is TDC exhaust)
4. Keep turning one full revolution until #1 re-appears, that is TDC compression for #1
5. Set your #1 (starter side) cam/cam sprocket so the lines are parallel to the cylinder deck

Thanks z8rider.

I just checked the injectors. Nothing leaking. Pulled the plugs. #2 is good #1 is real wet.

I'm going to recheck/redo timing in a min. I will let you know.

Z8RIDER thanks for dumbing it down for me

Fixed it

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

Very cool...congrats!

Z8RIDER thanks for dumbing it down for me

Fixed it

Glad to help. happens often that the timing gets set wrong. I do believe some of the manuals out there are wrong.