XLV1000 Problem/s

[baikunewzealand]

Hi all Varadero enthusiasts.

I have just purchased this bike a few months ago. A 2008 XLV1000. On my second ride on the bike i noticed a popping sound from the exhaust when slowing down with engine braking.

I did a quick google after i found this issue, and read something about gaskets/rings? between the headers and the block that are common to fail in this bike. So i removed the exhausts and found there was no gaskets/rings there. I ordered these and replaced them.

When retightening the brace that holds the pipe to the engine, i stripped the thread on one of the bolt holes. :O

So i went through the process of taking off the head to get the hole helicoiled by a local machinist.

On reassembley of the camshafts onto the engine i set the timing as per the manual.

I turned the engine round untill FT was visible on the flywheel AND the front camsprockets showed horizontal FI/FE marks. I then kept turning untill RT was aligned (anticlockwise).

I then reinstalled the rear camshaft including the tensioner which proved very difficult. i have noticed its rather tight but i suppose thats how it works. I used a small screwdriver to keep the tensioner coiled and then once the camshaft covers were installed i realeased the screwdriver which extended the tensioner.

After installing the fuel tank etc. I started the engine. It ran rough as before if not worse. I stopped it after 5 seconds worried I had the camshaft missaligned and there fore valves bent.


I guess my questions are, for any experts. Is there anything done here that I have done wrong? I have yet to take the rocker cover off again and recheck the alignment as bike is in storage until weekend. If i bent a valve would i have known about it? would it have been a loud bang? Is there a chance I have just misaligned the rear camshaft by a tooth or 2? Just any experience/advice really appreciated if you dont mind.


Brief

1. Bike popping/backfiring on engine braking.
2. Suspected failed exhaust gaskets
3. Stripped thread in block bolt hole which holds pipe brace whilst replacing gaskets
4. removed head to have hole helicoiled
5. on reasemmbly aligned Flywheel to FT (front camshaft to FE-FI) turned anticlockwise to RT for rear camshaft install
6. started up, very rough worried i have damaged valves.

Question. Can this engine survive being a tooth or two out on one of the camshafts?
Question. Does the reinstallation of the cam chain tensioner sound correct?
Question. Has anyone had any similar experiences with this bike, can offer any advice?


Thank you in advance