I have a 2015 Zforce 800 EX. I'm attempting to adjust the valves, and according to the service manual i need to alighn the two parallel to the base of the cylinder head. This sounds a bit odd to me, why not line up these lines with the top of the head where the valve cover mounts? It's easier to see and line up. Anyway when I line up the cam gear marks and reference them to the mark on the mag flywheel, Its off a little. Either way, If I line up the cam to tdc the flywheel mark is a little off, If I line up the flywheel mark to tdc the cam gear marks are then off. However, the engine runs fine and was just checking the valve clearence. To me this looks like its a tooth off, how can that be if the engine runs fine. Has anyone run into this before?

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

I have a 2015 Zforce 800 EX. I'm attempting to adjust the valves, and according to the service manual i need to alighn the two parallel to the base of the cylinder head. This sounds a bit odd to me, why not line up these lines with the top of the head where the valve cover mounts? It's easier to see and line up. Anyway when I line up the cam gear marks and reference them to the mark on the mag flywheel, Its off a little. Either way, If I line up the cam to tdc the flywheel mark is a little off, If I line up the flywheel mark to tdc the cam gear marks are then off. However, the engine runs fine and was just checking the valve clearence. To me this looks like its a tooth off, how can that be if the engine runs fine. Has anyone run into this before?

I don't do it that way so I never look at both of those marks.As long as you are 10 degrees either side of TDC on the correct stroke, you can set the valves. What I do is pull the plugs, then the fan cover to get to the crank shaft end to turn it with the nut. Rotate it in the normal direction until I see the intakes open...continue until then close. From there it's just a half a revolution to TDC so I reposition my wrench and go 1/2 turn. Then set all valves on that cylinder. Button it up and repeat the same on the other. And yeah..you can line up the cam gear marks to the valve cover surface if you want to. I think that's what they actually intended. Kawasaki does it that way too. Why the two are off I don't know.

Thank you, I will try it your way.

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

Remember to blow-out those plug wells before removing the spark plugs. Sometimes they get lots of stuff that falls down inside when taking the plug out.