No dimple for TDC- ideas ?

Ok with manual in hand and half way through shimming #2 exhaust I am asked to find TDC by matching up the dimple to the mark on the casing. Guess they put my gear on backwards- no easy to find dimple at all.

Will old school work here? I placed a rod through the plug entrance on #1 and watch until I got the high spot- all I know to do. Any thoughts?

Next challenge is to turn the cams to align them, appears I'll have to make a couple of wrenches to fit the 19.6mm casting on the cam shafts. Am I heading in the right direction?

Lastly, no tool to hold the cams in place. Something I should order or are there any drawings and dimensions out there to fab one?

Thanks for the help. I have some time while waiting on the seats from Russell and just dropped off my tins to wake up the rare graphite color with some real fire and water.

Yes, the manual is not correct as far as timing marks. Toystoretom just went through this installing cams and should be able to help. I believe the thing to do is mark the cam gears and chain before you remove them.

The tool I think you are referring to would be #14, a piece of plastic that costs $68.

SERVICE TOOLS - 2006 Triumph ROCKET III

Some R3 crankshaft gears have a dimple, some do not. It would be on a tooth of the gear if you've got one.

If you're just re-shimming stock cams, a rod in #1 will get you close enough... then look at your cam gear marks. Make sure you follow the instructions in the manual EXACTLY regarding loosing and tightening cam ladder! If you bend the cam ladder, you have to buy new head.

I have never used the Triumph cam tool, just used flat bar stock and screwdriver, but getting the cams back into position can be tricky. Probably easier with Triumph tool.


Modified piston stop for EXACT TDC


Precision degreeing of Cams (not necessary for stock cams)

Hey GRA53,
Welcome to the board.
What kind of R3 you got?
R3S, R3C, or the R3T?
Where you from?
Color?