Hi there
I wanted to ask if anyone has the problem with setting the timing.

tightening the pinion makes the timing go out.

I set everything meticulously, then tap the pinion on gently.
then tightening just nocks it all out again.

any tips for this??

I had a bitch with mine, but I dressed it up with a piece of ceramic honing stone, and then lapped it together with diamond paste. I cleaned it all back up and then when I put it back again, it didn't slip at all. I held the crank from turning with a wrench on the timing side.

As they say here in So Cal "Bueno suerte, me amigo."