XJ700X Valve Synch

I am for the very first time checking my valves; after rotating the engine by hand ( left side) and matching the "T" with the witness mark; I get my sprockets with a severe offset. Please see picture attached. I will start with the easy question; is this normal?
The book says that I need to line up the sprocket punch with the cam cap line on both.
Please advice; I will check clearances after timing is resolved.

 

Are you positive that the #1 piston is at top dead center of the compression stroke?

 

is there a punch mark on the camshaft? not the sprocket.
reread instructions

 

first step of cams
see the holes in the sprocket?

 

I verified the T mark 360 degrees and the punch marks are not even visible.

I checked the camshaft and the side with no clear sprocket alignment has a decent shaft alignment on the IN3 side; I couldn't clearly see the 2 side. I'll try again tomorrow before work. Thanks!

 

You can safely ignore the punch marks on the sprocket unless you remove the sprocket from the camshaft. They are just there to tell you which bolt holes not to use if you are re-installing the sprockets on the cam.

The important punch marks are the ones on the cam itself, which you see when you look straight down like in the most recent picture you posted. Those ones should line up with the center of the cam cap. And in that last picture, it looks like it does.

Assuming that your bike has been running reasonably well, your cam timing must be pretty much correct. If it was off by even one tooth it would run like crap, if at all.