Inductive timing light use (newb)

[Guest]

Greetings from down South y'all!

I've replaced the points and condensers on my 78 750E and static timed it, it is starting and running ok but I want to check and fine tune the timing with the bike running using an inductive timing light that I borrowed.

I've read that I need to put the inductive clamp on the #1 plug wire, aim the light at the timing window and I'll be checking to see if the first bar here "| F1 |" lines up with the timing mark - for this mark I'm supposed to keep it under 1500 RPM according to the service manual. I'll check against the last bar here ""| F1 |" lining up witht the timing mark when I have the RPM's over 2500 according to the service manual. I should make small adjustments if needed by rotating one way or the other the large full breaker plate.

My question is the #2 and #3 cylinders. I assume I put the inductive clamp on the #2 spark plug wire and look for the same marks except use the "| F2 |" markings and rotate the half breaker plate if needed?


(Yes, Dyna*S DS3-2 is in future plans)

[Big T]

You are correct

Be sure, when adjusting 2-3, to just move the small plate they are on

[Steve]

By the way, since you are working on the right side of the engine, you can also use plugs 3 and 4 to do the same thing.

#4 fires at the same time as #1, #3 fires at the same time as #2.

.

[btbarb]

Got it

Thanks for the replies, makes sense. I knew enough to think I know enough, but not enough to know that I really do.

[btbarb]

Advance Dial and timing marks

Greetings from down South y'all!

I've replaced the points and condensers on my 78 750E and static timed it, it is starting and running ok but I want to check and fine tune the timing with the bike running using an inductive timing light that I borrowed.

I've read that I need to put the inductive clamp on the #1 plug wire, aim the light at the timing window and I'll be checking to see if the first bar here "| F1 |" lines up with the timing mark - for this mark I'm supposed to keep it under 1500 RPM according to the service manual. I'll check against the last bar here ""| F1 |" lining up witht the timing mark when I have the RPM's over 2500 according to the service manual. I should make small adjustments if needed by rotating one way or the other the large full breaker plate.

My question is the #2 and #3 cylinders. I assume I put the inductive clamp on the #2 spark plug wire and look for the same marks except use the "| F2 |" markings and rotate the half breaker plate if needed?


(Yes, Dyna*S DS3-2 is in future plans)

Sorry, I'm a little paranoid, my plugs look way lean (hot) and I want to make sure I didn't do the timing wrong and put too much advance in, I've read that would be a very bad thing. I heard a bit of pinging but not overly pronounced. I want to double check my work but need to make sure I know how to use this tool before I go back and check.

I'm using a Craftsman Inductive Advance Timing Light, model 161.219400, it has a degrees advance dial on it that goes from 0-60. I put the advance dial at zero and lined up the first |F1 | line for the 1500 RPM timing. My manual says that the 1500 RPM setting is 17 degrees BTDC. If I put the degree advance dial on 17 and shine the light, the timing marks line up with "T".

Does this sound correct, should I leave the advance dial at zero and just hit the before and after marks for their respective timing? For reference, the advance timing is 37 degrees BTDC.

Thanks in advance.

[Steve]

I think there is only ONE adjustment for timing.

OK, one for each coil, but once that is set, there is nothing else to do.

If you want to play with your light, you can verify that the advance mechanism is working, but there is nothing to adjust on it.

.

[SqDancerLynn1]

Just set the light on 0 and align the marks as close as you can.