Does this show that I am advanced or retarded

mike in idaho · Post by **mike in idaho** » Sun Mar 25, 2012 9:22 am

What kind of strobe light? It takes a pretty good timing light to catch the marks on a motorcycle at 4000 rpm. A $9.95 Harbor Freight special just won't flash fast enough to do it.

Jlovvorn · Post by **Jlovvorn** » Sun Mar 25, 2012 10:40 am

I bought the high end $60 model from Pep Boys.

I just reset the timing using the strobe.

Got the F and LF to line up exactly at 1200 RPM idle.

With that setting, a rev up to 4000 will move the two advance marks from about 3pm up to match the timing mark on the case perfectly.

So at 4000 its spot on, and at 1200 its spot on.

The bike now holds an idle and runs a lot better than it ever has.

When I check my work with the static light, the light comes on a full inch before F and LF.

So, in order to make the strobe readings right, I have to be way off with the static light.

I assume, for my bike, there is enough wear or other problems in the advancer that timing with the static light doesnt match what the bike will actually do running.

I know its heretical on this forum, but maybe one needs to consider a strobe when dealing with an engine that is not quite right in some respects?

I should probably get in there an fix whatever is causing this, but for now it seems like an improvement, or maybe even a soultion.

But with this bike, every day is a new experience, so this may be just another blind alley I am going down.

mike in idaho · Post by **mike in idaho** » Sun Mar 25, 2012 10:50 am

Jlovvorn wrote:I bought the high end $60 model from Pep Boys.

I just reset the timing using the strobe.

Got the F and LF to line up exactly at 1200 RPM idle.

With that setting, a rev up to 4000 will move the two advance marks from about 3pm up to match the timing mark on the case perfectly.

So at 4000 its spot on, and at 1200 its spot on.

The bike now holds an idle and runs a lot better than it ever has.

When I check my work with the static light, the light comes on a full inch before F and LF.

So, in order to make the strobe readings right, I have to be way off with the static light.

I assume, for my bike, there is enough wear or other problems in the advancer that timing with the static light doesnt match what the bike will actually do running.

Remember, the coil fires when the points open(static timing light goes off), always check points opening by turning the engine forward. Sounds like you have it timed just fine, no need to take it apart now.

brewsky · Post by **brewsky** » Sun Mar 25, 2012 12:03 pm

Sounds like you are good to go.

Strobe is the more accurate method, and is the only way to prove the advance is working correctly.

Jlovvorn · Post by **Jlovvorn** » Sun Mar 25, 2012 12:13 pm

I just let the bike sit for an hour, then kicked it on and rode it again, and same results - solid idle at 1200-1300, no fluctuations, and good accelleration, no hesitation, and brown plugs.

Fingers crossed it holds.

Jlovvorn · Post by **Jlovvorn** » Sun Mar 25, 2012 6:21 pm

OMG - its back.

The screwy idle started in as soon as the bike got good and hot.

I moved the whole mess over to the Restoration category, so all my failures can be accessiblew in one place.

The timing is still spot on - I checked it as soon as it acted up.

So I think its either the carbs or witchcraft.