Need help with timing on a 98 sportsman 500
 

So I replaced the stator and flywheel due to a no spark condition. It idles perfect but at wide open throttle it sputters and backfires so a new carb and starter long story now same no change in thinking its a timing issue but kinda at a loss

check your cam

May look like this if really worn.Bad Cam Pic - ATVConnection.com ATV Enthusiast Community

I don't think it's a cam issue this problem started when the stator fried due to a water in the recoil housing

any water get in the oil?..
did you remove the stator plate? if so, did you mark it so its back in time?
if you havent looked at the cam, i wouldnt rule it out

No water in the oil and no I did not mark the stator in any way I put it back kinda just how it fit but not sure how to align to time it not much good instruction about it anywhere

if you took the whole stator plate off without marking it, then yeah, very possible its out of time

That's exactly my issue so to set timing from scratch I guess is the real question I guess tdc on piston verify cam marks then how do I set stator

if the manual doesnt cover it then opt would have to answer that, ive never had to do it on an atv...id first go back in and see if you can see where the bolts used to be on the plate, should be a cleaner circular looking spot if you didnt clean it....might give you an idea if its off or not

It had to be totally replaced the old stator was fried so no way to mark or read marks