Set the CPS to TDC (1) the cam sprocket at the valves is off a little

Now to just get it back in time and make sure the timing chain,guides and tensioner are ok.

Need to find out how it got out of time. The manual on this site is a little different, must be from the earlier models.  Mine has a squirrel cage fan and duct over the magneto. The manual does not show that. I am guessing I will make the adjustments on the valve side of things.

Thanks for all of the help on this.  Going to try and tackle this tonight.

step 1 - put the valve cover back on and clean the machine before opening up anything on an engine.

Earlier in this thread, you referred to the rear cylinder as #2. The rear cylinder is #1 on the side-by-side. If you move the flywheel so it shows #1 TDC, you need to be looking at the cam sprocket marks for the rear cylinder, which is #1.

Plan on washing it today before I start. 

As for the cylinder ID, you are correct. It is #2 that is the issue, I am working on the passenger side and got the sides confused.  I will post updated pics tonight.

Put CPS at 1 TDC and check the cam sprocket marks. They were right on, #2 was off a bit.  Then put the CPS at 2 TDC and checked the cam sprocket and it was off and #1 was right on. 

Loosened the chain tensioner on #2 and moved the sprocket to where it should be.  Tightened everything and crossed my fingers. 

Engine fired up right away.  No noise, sounded pretty good. 

Learned lots about these machines while working on this issue. 

Will drive it tomorrow and see how it runs.  Plan on changing the oil again after the ride.

Thanks for all the suggestions and comments.  Helped me greatly.

John

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

I'm just not used to seeing the bottoms of the sprocket teeth exposed like that..almost like the sprocket doesn't fit the chain....and clean that motor Flipper!...lol

Yes, That didn't look right. Something is up. I can't see how I missed that.

Motor was cleaned before any work was done.  Need to invest in a pressure washer I guess. 

Chain is tight and in spec, first time messing with a timing chain on a motorcycle.  Here is a picture of each cylinder chain. 

#1
#2

Looks like the gear tooth is seated in the chain all the way when I zoom in. I have a kawasaki set in the shop. Maybe I will see how that sits too. Well I guess if the tensioner moved smoothly  and  doesn't back up, you should be ok.

Going to contact tech support Monday and ask them about it.  At 500 miles, not sure why it jumped time. 

Flipper

[2015 Z Force 800 53/Trail EPS]

Just looks like some are setting all the way down and some aren't....like a very stretched chain. Yeah...it shouldn't have jumped time but I can tell you when I had my covers off...mine didn't look like that.

that is an interesting chain, it looks way beefier than it needs to be and the teeth on the sprocket is short, I don't think the teeth can go all the way through the chain like on a bike it looks like the sit in the grooves of the chain. I forget what they call that type of chain but its steel plated all the way across, no rollers with plated on the outside.

Maybe I dont get what you guys are saying looks odd.  But that cam chain look like all the other cam chains in SxS's that I have messed with.  The cam gear sits higher up on the head than others I have done but that is nothing that is wrong or bad.  Why it jumped a tooth is another story....stretched chain...maybe,  You can get a bad one from time to time.  Bad tensioner,  Also possible.

https://www.indiantradebird.com/admin/members/8905/images/0_7e910c31.jpg

This is what people think of with chains usually, but they are roller type the sit down on the teeth so you see none of the teeth when they are in the chain. This type is different

It is really odd to me that they are using this type of chain for cam chains. This type of chain is usually used in high torque applications for like drive chains in the gear case on a snowmobile. I don't see how you could possible stretch this type of chain being used for a timing chain, if anything the tensioners would have had to have loosened or failed. This type of chain is meant to take a lot of force, overkill for a timing chain if you ask me.