Sorry to read about your job jimmy hope something turns up for you soon (and the fix is a relatively simple one).
Sorry I didn't see these posts - that's a good idea and has changed my mind about where to start. I think I even now someone with something like this. Thanks!
Thanks @Red899 , I hope so too. The bike is a toy - neither my life nor livelihood is dependant on it so it can wait. In some ways I might end up doing more than I usually would so I'm treating it as a learning exercise (silver linings and all that). Besides I have a Triumph I can tit about on in the meantime so I can at least ride
You can always put the posting at the bottom of the bore, through cam pulleys should turn over by hand if no bent valves
As above, once the belt's off and with the piston down the cylinder, try turning the camshaft by hand. If anything's damaged or bent it likely won't turn, at least not like it should. If you're not sure how it should feel then take the other belt off and do the same with the 'good' cylinder. If it's jammed or excessively tight then, at the very least the head will need to come off.
I noticed that my old 1098R belts are in my garage - if you want them for turning over your motor, let me know and I'll chuck them in the post.
What a shitter mate!! You want to contact that exige bloke and tell him his belt snapped It’s real bad luck, if it’s poorly fitted it would have gone ages ago. If no other signs of something damaging the belt it’s really unusual ime for something like that to happen
I'd whip off what's left of the belt, get the piston down the bore a bit, then check for normal camshaft rotation before you spend any money. There may be bore/piston damage that you don't want to make worse by turning the engine over...
That’s the plan mate. Thanks. I might chuck a belt on as part of the process. @RickyX that would be awesome. What a gent. Let me know on cost and postage and I’ll send to you (PayPal or bank transfer). it’s an odd one. As has been said a badly fitted one would have gone a while back so it’s was with too tight or faulty. I’d take suggestions on alternative belts!
Can I also ask as a layman how to go about cranking? Am assuming by using the crank pulley (doh!) but do I need a tool for it?
Put it on a paddock stand. Take the plugs out. Put it in top gear and rotate the engine using the back wheel.
I agree, better than rear wheel...you already have a lot going on to see what is up.... This or even a simple bolt and locknut into the end of the crank is better.