Dyna-s and the 450

[Guest]

I’m trying to get the timing completed on my bike but am having problems. I don’t see how it’s possible to time using the Dynatek instructions, (which are for the GS400/425). As you can see in the picture there is no way to see the marks on the ignition advance, or whatever it’s called. Could someone chime in here and help me? I currently don’t have any spark to the coils but the voltage is close to 13v.

[Big T]

Picture? What picture?

[VABushPig]

It’s not showing?

[Nessism]

I see the photo but I don't understand the issue. Is it that you can't see the 1-4 F mark? If so you can remove the plate and set the engine at 1-4 F and then reinstall the Dyna S plate. As long as the ignition is firing at the static 1-4 F mark I wouldn't worry about the full advance mark when you hold the rotor against the spring.

[VABushPig]

The instructions say to connect a test light to the white coil wire and rotate the motor until the light comes on.

2. Turn ignition switch on. While holding the rotor in the fully advanced position (clockwise), slowly rotate engine forward until the light turns on. The right hand advance mark for the L cylinder should align with the fixed mark on the engine case.
3. If the marks do not align, loosen the screws holding the DYNA S plate to the engine, and rotate it clockwise or counterclockwise, as appropriate, and retighten the screws.
4. Rotate the engine backwards until the light goes out, and repeat Steps 2 and 3.
5. After the left cylinder timing is verified, connect the test light to the black coil wire, and repeat Step 2, using the R cylinder timing marks. If it is necessary to adjust the right cylinder timing, loosen the cap screws holding the right module using allen wrench supplied with the kit: and move it clockwise or counterclockwise as appropriate, (.010 inch equals 1°) and retighten screws.
6. Recheck timing and adjust as necessary using the above procedure until proper timing is verified.

Maybe I'm overthinking. But the plate covers the marks and you can’t see the advance marks.

[pete]

I currently don’t have any spark to the coils but the voltage is close to 13v.

If the issue is no spark, timing won't affect that, it just means the spark will occur at the wrong time (sorry if that's stating the obvious), so I'd say that's a different issue.

As for the timing process, when I did the initial static timing, I seem to recall I actually had to use a 12V test light because my timing gun is inductive, meaning the static timing process would never trigger it. At least that's what I figured out at the time...

Basically, when the rotor is correctly oriented to trigger the pickup, it should be turning the coil "on" by grounding one side of it, then when you rotate the rotor past that point it should "fire" the spark by turning the coil off.

I'm not a guru with this stuff so forgive me if my terminology is bad or whatever, and this was years ago so I may not recall everything I encountered.

Can you confirm how your wiring is done for the coils and Dyna modules?

Edit... just re-read what you posted and they are indeed saying use a test light, I should read a little better

[VABushPig]

I do have spark to the plugs. I couldn’t see it during the day light. So now it’s just the timing issue.

[GregT]

I do have spark to the plugs. I couldn’t see it during the day light. So now it’s just the timing issue.

Easiest way to time it is to lock the advance mech at full advance - use a washer of suitable size under the bolt in the center - and set the crank at full advance point by lining up the timing marks. Then you simply turn the backplate until you have the point where the light goes out.

Just the same as Nessism's way but using full advance rather than full retard.

[VABushPig]

But how do you line up the timing marks when you can't see them? Do I remove the plate, line up the timing marks, replace the plate and adjust? Sorry if I'm not understanding the process.

[GregT]

In the pic you posted, you've got the TDC mark lined up. If you turn the crank anti-clockwise the ignition timing marks will come into view through the hole in the backplate.

[VABushPig]

Then I haven’t a clue as to what I’m doing here. I thought I was to use the mark on the right side of the advance mechanism not the left side. Thanks all for the help but I’m in over my head here.

[pete]

I'd have to read up from the factory manual again... are you 100% sure you've put the rotor on the advance mechanism the correct way? It can easily be 180 degrees out, I can't recall which is correct now but the instructions were pretty clear on it.

Can you get a close up photo of the advance mechanism with the timing marks also? Might help jog my memory.

[GregT]

Then I haven’t a clue as to what I’m doing here. I thought I was to use the mark on the right side of the advance mechanism not the left side. Thanks all for the help but I’m in over my head here.

By turning the crank anti-clockwise - leftwards as you look at it - you expose the timing marks which are to the right of the T mark you see in the pic.....

[VABushPig]

Is the mark the arrow is pointing to the fixed mark on the engine case that the advance mechanism is supposed to align with?

[GregT]

Is the mark the arrow is pointing to the fixed mark on the engine case that the advance mechanism is supposed to align with?

Can't see that pic. But in the pic in post #1 you have the T mark (top dead center) lined up with the mark on the cases - above the screw securing the plate.
You can turn the crank anti-clockwise to find the F 1-4 (F for firing) mark and line it up with the mark on the case.