timing gear alignment.

Just to stir the pot. When installing a new chain and sprockets, you really need to use a degree wheel. The quality of the current parts is very suspect. A couple of years ago, I had a timing set that was so far off, with the sprockets at dot to dot, it was ridicules. Couldn't even adjust it enough with an offset bushing. I had to jump the sprockets so the dots were one tooth off, then use a offset bushing to bring it back.
I agree about a million percent.