Topic: 1971 Honda CB 500 timing "mark" location???

[kwaggs27]

I have a 1971 Honda CB 500 and I was rebuilding the motor when I came to the Cam replacement and the timing "Mark" on the end of the "right side" of the cam. The book and the diagram seem to be contradictory. The book says to align the "mark" with the cylinder head and it shows a diagram looking at the right side of the cam and the "mark" is splitting the cylinder head right down the middle of the notch and the notch would be pointing towards the front of the motorcycle. The only problem I have with this, is the diagram shows a camshaft lobe in the 10 o'clock position to the left rear of the camshaft "mark" or notch and if you place the camshaft in the cylinder head with the "mark" facing the front of the motorcycle like it shows in the diagram, there is no camshaft lobe in the 10 o'clock position. Does anyone know if this is a mistake in the diagram or in the verbage and does that camshaft timing "mark" face forward or towards the rear of the motorcycle? PLEASE HELP!!!!!!!

[Gordon]

The notch should be parallel with the gasket surface of the head.  What book is it that shows the wrong picture? 

[kwaggs27]

It was in the Clymer book and we were unsure if the picture was just showing the cam lobe and should not have been or if the picture was accurate but flipped around and the timing mark was facing the rear of the bike and the cam lobe would have been present then.