Cams removed before timing set, now what?

Hello all.

I have been called to the aid of a friend who undertook an engine rebuild and bit off a little too much. This person pulled the cams before checking the timing marks. Now I've been called to help.

The bike is (heresy here) a '78 GS550 Suzuki. Two cams. Basically I have to rotate the crank to TDC 1,4 so I can get the cams back in and line up the timing marks correctly. What's the best way to keep tension on the cam chain so it doesn't slip off the crank while I am rotating the motor to the correct timing mark? Cams and tensioner are currently OUT of the engine block.

grab hold of chain and hold tight;)

Can't you grab the chain and pull it up to keep it tight as you rotate the engine to TDC? If the front of the chain stayed taught, I can't see how it would slip off the crankshaft.
Disclaimer: I never did this, so...

Damm that Plummen, beat me by 3 seconds!

Post edited by: OKC_Kent, at: 2007/09/04 12:52