How to connect a two wire timing light 78 GS1000

[Guest]

I am setting up new points and condensers, and need to check the timing on my 78gs1000. I am electrically challenged.

How do I connect the light? One wire has an alligator clip, the other is bare.

What do the words " low voltage side of the points" mean.

Please keep it really simple. Your help is much needed!

[Steve]

Look at your points. One side is bolted to the mounting plate, the other one moves.

Might work best to put your clip on the spring that keeps the moving side closed and touch the bare wire to the other side.

Turn the key ON. If the points are closed, the light will be OFF. When the points open, the light will be ON.

When the light comes ON, the 1-4 F mark should be in the timing window.

Simple enough?

Of course, you need to do the same thing for the 2-3 points.

.

[MAC10]

Thanks Steve. Simple enough even for me. Left side lights up on opening, nothing on the right. Engine runs, but only on 1 and 4.

[earlfor]

Thanks Steve. Simple enough even for me. Left side lights up on opening, nothing on the right. Engine runs, but only on 1 and 4.

The right side (2,3) contact points are grounding. It is probably because the insulating washer is on the wrong side of the wire connected on that set of points. The wiring connection is supposed to be isolated.

[MAC10]

Condenser installation tips

Thanks Earlfor. That is exactly what was happening. The right side condenser wire has a fork terminal, which was on the wrong side of the washer, and, because I installed it with the points of the fork out from the mounting plate, it was rotating so the U of the fork touched the mounting plate and was grounding there too.

So two things:

Watch that the fork terminal of the condenser wire is on the correct side of the little insulating washer so it is isolated

and

Install the condenser wire terminal with the points of the fork toward the engine so it won't rotate and ground itself by touching the mounting plate

Add some more wisdom here:

[chuck hahn]

Word of wisdom...if your new to bikes and points and your gonna change them..or anything for that matter..take pics of it before you disassemble so you can refer to them later.