Dyna S and timing

[avbove38]

82 suzuki gs850. Previous owner installed the Dyna S ignition.

I was reading somewhere these also have to be installed correctly for timing?

any truth to this and if so how do I know its right. no spark on the bike. checked coils ones bad, but now im also curious about this ignition and the install.

thanks

[avbove38]

found my answer in basscliffs site. any other tips are appreciated while im at it.

thanks

[mike_of_bbg]

The Dyna has slotted screws, so the timing is "adjustable". Most people I've talked to have found that the timing is correct near the end of the slots, though (see pic of mine below). A Dyna out of timing would not cause the bike not to fire, of course: it would just fire at the wrong time. An inductive timing light is the best way to ensure that the timing is correct both at idle and at full advance.



Bad coils, an ignition that went bad before and got replaced with Dyna? Might want to make sure the charging system is up to snuff and not putting out too much voltage.

82 suzuki gs850. Previous owner installed the Dyna S ignition.

I was reading somewhere these also have to be installed correctly for timing?

any truth to this and if so how do I know its right. no spark on the bike. checked coils ones bad, but now im also curious about this ignition and the install.

thanks

[avbove38]

The backing plate behind the dyna.. Has a line on it.. Am i correct in lining
Up the tdc mark with that line? This is how i understood the timing setting
With the install instructions. The dyna plate was centered where the screw
Holes are. Ill take a pic today and repost if it helps.

[mike_of_bbg]

The TDC mark is only for cam timing, not for ignition timing. The middle, "F" mark is when ignition should fire at idle. The right-most mark is for full advance at ~2500RPM and higher. There's a static timing procedure for the Dyna which includes lining up those marks and a test light, but I found that using an inductive timing light and timing it up on a running motor was easier. See the attached photos. These are from a GS550 but the mechanical advance GS850 should be pretty much identical.

[MisterCinders]

I recall from my own Dyna install that the instructions tell you to static time the ignition against the advance marks. In other words, you set up the timing light (not the induction one, just a simple bulb and wire), align the plate for the advance mark, and twist the advancer until the light comes on. Then shift the magnets with the slotted screws to bring it to spec.

Don't know why Dyna says to follow this method, but there it is.

[avbove38]

I recall from my own Dyna install that the instructions tell you to static time the ignition against the advance marks. In other words, you set up the timing light (not the induction one, just a simple bulb and wire), align the plate for the advance mark, and twist the advancer until the light comes on. Then shift the magnets with the slotted screws to bring it to spec.

Don't know why Dyna says to follow this method, but there it is.

i read the same thing and did the ignition adustment but didnt align the magnets and slots. i dont recall reading that part.

heres what I have.

i didnt make any adjustments in the photos.

[chef1366]

I just ground the appropriate plug to the head and twist the advance with the last timing mark lined up until the plug sparks. This works on the 1&4 but I learned you should also check the 2&3 which I did with a degree wheel by making my own full advanced timing mark since the 2&3 do not have such mark.

[avbove38]

I just ground the appropriate plug to the head and twist the advance with the last timing mark lined up until the plug sparks. This works on the 1&4 but I learned you should also check the 2&3 which I did with a degree wheel by making my own full advanced timing mark since the 2&3 do not have such mark.

im still trying to figure out why im not getting spark.

[mike_of_bbg]

Are you not getting spark at all? As I said before, timing adjustments are not going to make it start sparking! The rotor may not pass the sensors at the correct time, but it should spark when it does pass them.

Make sure you're getting +12V, or close to battery voltage, at the wires feeding the Dyna red lead and the orange/white wires to the coils as measured against the battery ground. Over time some of the connections may degrade and, if the voltage is too low, the Dyna may fail to spark. Many of us have resorted to the "coil relay mod" to bring full voltage back to the ignition system. Also, make sure that your original igniter, if it's still there, is unplugged. It is not needed with the Dyna system and may continue to ground the coils if it's hooked up.

[avbove38]

Are you not getting spark at all? As I said before, timing adjustments are not going to make it start sparking! The rotor may not pass the sensors at the correct time, but it should spark when it does pass them.

Make sure you're getting +12V, or close to battery voltage, at the wires feeding the Dyna red lead and the orange/white wires to the coils as measured against the battery ground. Over time some of the connections may degrade and, if the voltage is too low, the Dyna may fail to spark. Many of us have resorted to the "coil relay mod" to bring full voltage back to the ignition system. Also, make sure that your original igniter, if it's still there, is unplugged. It is not needed with the Dyna system and may continue to ground the coils if it's hooked up.

I understood the timing and spark issue has nothing to do with
One another. I was checking the timing because the previous owner
Mentioned he didnt know if it was set right after he installed the dyna

I am trying to get the stator cover off to check
It but it obviously has never been taken off and its not budgeing

Still checking other areas for the spark issue. Findi g it hard to think
Both coils are bad. No spark on either side.

[Killer2600]

I understood the timing and spark issue has nothing to do with
One another. I was checking the timing because the previous owner
Mentioned he didnt know if it was set right after he installed the dyna

I am trying to get the stator cover off to check
It but it obviously has never been taken off and its not budgeing

Still checking other areas for the spark issue. Findi g it hard to think
Both coils are bad. No spark on either side.

The dyna S or ignition pickups/points are on the right side of the engine, the stator and rotor for the charging system are on the left side.

Check power to the coils and the dyna S if you have an ignition that seems dead.

[mike_of_bbg]

Yeah, there's no need to remove your stator cover.

Report back with the battery voltage, the voltage (ignition on, obviously) between the coil orange/white power leads and battery (-), and between the Dyna red lead and battery (-). I assume the starter is turning over the bike OK?

[avbove38]

The dyna S or ignition pickups/points are on the right side of the engine, the stator and rotor for the charging system are on the left side.

Check power to the coils and the dyna S if you have an ignition that seems dead.

Already checked everything. I know what side things are on i just
Cant get the stator cover off at this Point. Im thInking i may take this
To a local mechanic and let himd find the trouble im wasting time
And not convinced yet of the issue.

[avbove38]

Yeah, there's no need to remove your stator cover.

Report back with the battery voltage, the voltage (ignition on, obviously) between the coil orange/white power leads and battery (-), and between the Dyna red lead and battery (-). I assume the starter is turning over the bike OK?

Battery voltage is @ 12
Starter is turning over the bIke ok

On the dyna red lead, you are referring to the red wires (2 of them)
That connect to the harness near the battery by a plastic connector?

Im not near the bike anymore but will check these again and post.