CA 77 timing

[keitholdcar]

I am trying to figure out how to time my CA 77.I have the info on the dual point setups,but nothing on the single point setups.I have the old shop manual put out by Honda back then,I think I got it around 1970.I can't figure out if it is a work of fiction or a comedy.I have had these bikes for years,a Scrambler,a Superhawk,and this early Dream.Usually I just file and set the points on any one of them and start them up.This one has sat since about 1992 and my dad decided he wanted to ride it around town.I have looked around this website for timing info,but have seen nothing on the single point setup.I am really a computer idiot,so I may be looking right at it.I am not going to convert to electronic ignition or any thing like that,the bike may get parked in the cellar again and not ridden for another 10 or 15 years.I usually won't fool around with timing for no reason,but it ran pretty rough so I took the cover off to look at the points.Both point plate screws were loose,and the plate was moving around to the point of losing it's ground.

[brewsky]

Both plugs fire at the same time, (wasted spark), so just set the points to open at the F mark and you are good to go. Check advance with a timing light if you have one, and make sure the timing does not go beyond the double advance marks.

[keitholdcar]

Thanks,I kind of thought that was how it was done,but I really don't think I have timed one of these since the mid 70's.On the rotor there is a T stamped,then a line,and another line 1/8th or so away with the F stamped after that.I figured that must be the line you mean.About an inch from those marks there is a double set of lines,no other markings,and about an inch after those there is a stamped 10T.I am waiting on a new book,the books I have from that era when I was riding these bikes are useless.

[conbs]

Keith, I hadn't adjusted points for many moons and had forgotten how critical the point gap is to timing. It took me three tries to get the point gap correct. It was close the first two times, but I had to adjust the points plate way out of bounds to get it to fire on the F mark. There was my first clue. It ran pretty rough. There was my second clue. (I do okay for my age). DOH!

As I reflected on my youth and the rest of the cosmos, I recalled that I used to be pretty good at gapping points and remembered that they are called "feeler" guages after all. Take the time to make sure your points gap is accurate to a gnat's fanny with the right "feel" of the guage and timing to the F mark will be alot easier.