Author Topic: No timing adjustment left..CB550  (Read 1905 times)

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Offline The Secretary

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No timing adjustment left..CB550
« on: May 22, 2018, 07:54:46 PM »
Ground up rebuild 76 CB550... I’ve never been happy with how it runs... plenty of issues I can go into but I’m trying to start/fix from the most obvious and work forward from there.

The timing adjustment for the NEW TEC points plates, seems to be out of room.
Adjusting it according to the spec... set points gap then static time.
Using a test light, the points break slightly before it reaches the F Mark... attempt to adjust the plate so that the are opening ON the F Mark and there isn’t enough adjustment slot to get it there...

Is there a possibility that the cam timing is out or is it a manufacturer issue that can be solved by elongating the adjustment slots...
I’m an automotive tech that hasn’t had to deal with points and dwell and all that bull#$%* for about 20 years... I feel like I’m seriously overlooking something’s my here!

I can’t seem to post a picture ... uhhhgggg

Offline The Secretary

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Re: No timing adjustment left..CB550
« Reply #1 on: May 22, 2018, 07:56:49 PM »
I’ll try this...

Offline The Secretary

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Re: No timing adjustment left..CB550
« Reply #2 on: May 22, 2018, 08:11:22 PM »
This is what it would look like if the F Mark was lined up..

Offline The Secretary

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Re: No timing adjustment left..CB550
« Reply #3 on: May 22, 2018, 08:46:01 PM »
So I took it for a rip with just the top screw in place so the marks would line up with f Mark... huge difference!
Amazing how well it runs when all 4 are firing...
Still concerned about the possibility of having to elongate the bottom 2 slots to adjust the plate... advice is welcomed!

Offline scottly

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Re: No timing adjustment left..CB550
« Reply #4 on: May 22, 2018, 09:03:58 PM »
Your point gap is probably too large, which is advancing the timing beyond the range of the slots. Re-check the gap when it's at the greatest point on the points cam.
Don't fix it if it ain't broke!
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Offline Deltarider

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Re: No timing adjustment left..CB550
« Reply #5 on: May 22, 2018, 11:28:10 PM »
To have a correct breakerpoints gap prior to adjust the timing is essential. In the FAQ section you'll find advice about eliminating possible play: http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,5752.msg47539.html#msg47539 Just for the record: what brand breakerpoints do you have, genuine TEC or aftermarket?
« Last Edit: May 22, 2018, 11:57:20 PM by Deltarider »
CB500K2-ED Excel black
"There's enough for everyone's need, not enough for anyone's greed." Mahatma Ghandi

Offline The Secretary

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Re: No timing adjustment left..CB550
« Reply #6 on: May 23, 2018, 06:51:39 AM »
I have the points set at .014 , I’ve double and triple checked several times.

It’s genuine TEC.

Offline Deltarider

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Re: No timing adjustment left..CB550
« Reply #7 on: May 23, 2018, 10:35:06 AM »
I have the points set at .014 , I’ve double and triple checked several times.

It’s genuine TEC.
I would set them at .016.
CB500K2-ED Excel black
"There's enough for everyone's need, not enough for anyone's greed." Mahatma Ghandi

Offline The Secretary

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Re: No timing adjustment left..CB550
« Reply #8 on: May 23, 2018, 09:18:23 PM »
So I messed around with everything again as per the FAQ post and set my points at .016.... everything was all wonky again. I spent the afternoon with various configurations with point gap and timing with little improvements... for whatever reason, I managed to find a sweet spot last night that made the bike run great... now it’s all over the place again...
.... just ordered a Dynatek electronic ignition... if it solves the problem.... I’ll post the distance I achieve as to how far into the neighbors yard I can pitch the points and plate assembly!

Offline PeWe

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Re: No timing adjustment left..CB550
« Reply #9 on: May 23, 2018, 09:59:23 PM »
The point plate might have a play sideways when mounted but 3 bolts no tightened. This will mess up with point setting when adjusting igntion just a little. If plate move sideways, the gap will change.

From this site: https://www.motorcycleproject.com/text/sohcign.html
the points backing plate is a very loose fit in the crankcase casting, which results in timing which changes with engine temperature and dwell that changes with each adjustment to the timing. To deal with that, use only a stock points backing plate. Its thick steel design resists the heat warpage that is common with the thinner steel and less rigid aluminum aftermarket plates. It also fits best, but you can make it fit even better by lightly peening the crankcase bosses all around the plate to snug it up (see the illustration at the top of this page). It should be so tight that it will rotate only with a forceful nudge.

The site show marks from side. I hammered straight on with the sharp side of a small metal hammer. I worried about causing cracks. It worked fine on 2 engines. No more play.

timing: http://www.hondachopper.com/garage/carb_info/timing/timing1.html

Do not give up points. it work if knowing how to do. Point gap better with a dwell meter and adjust both points to SAME value when idling.
Advancer springs must be OK too, maybe sloppy and need to be cut 1/2 wound. Sloppy springs will cause way too early full advance.
This must be fixed even with Dyna-S and Pamco ignition. Dyna 2000 does not care.
CB750 K6-76  970cc (Earlier 1005cc JMR Billet block on the shelf waiting for a comeback)
CB750 K2-75 Parts assembled to a stock K2

Updates of the CB750 K6 -1976
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,180468.msg2092136.html#msg2092136
The billet block build thread
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,49438.msg1863571.html#msg1863571
CB750 K2 -1975  build thread
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,168243.msg1948381.html#msg1948381
K2 engine build thread. For a complete CB750 -75
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,180088.msg2088008.html#msg2088008
Carb jetting, a long story Mikuni TMR32
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,179479.msg2104967.html#msg2104967

Offline The Secretary

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Re: No timing adjustment left..CB550
« Reply #10 on: June 04, 2018, 07:42:41 AM »
I installed the Dyna S electronic ignition yesterday... runs smooth and idles like a dream!
Kinda angry I didn’t get rid of the points sooner!
Now I can focus on setting up my carbs 👍

**I didn’t toss the points into the neighbors yard... I’ll hang onto them for now lol***

Offline thrisco

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Re: No timing adjustment left..CB550
« Reply #11 on: June 04, 2018, 09:14:36 AM »
I installed the Dyna S electronic ignition yesterday... runs smooth and idles like a dream!
Kinda angry I didn’t get rid of the points sooner!
Now I can focus on setting up my carbs 👍

**I didn’t toss the points into the neighbors yard... I’ll hang onto them for now lol***

Good to hear!  I laughed at the throwing part as I understand the feeling.

Offline PeWe

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Re: No timing adjustment left..CB550
« Reply #12 on: June 04, 2018, 09:21:42 AM »
Good idea to have a working point plate in the bike's tool box when the Dyna-s can fail along the road. (Probably 2-3 as usually reported)

Point ignition is easy to adjust and make to work fine if knowing how to do and with basic electro-mechanical skills/experience.
CB750 K6-76  970cc (Earlier 1005cc JMR Billet block on the shelf waiting for a comeback)
CB750 K2-75 Parts assembled to a stock K2

Updates of the CB750 K6 -1976
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,180468.msg2092136.html#msg2092136
The billet block build thread
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,49438.msg1863571.html#msg1863571
CB750 K2 -1975  build thread
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,168243.msg1948381.html#msg1948381
K2 engine build thread. For a complete CB750 -75
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,180088.msg2088008.html#msg2088008
Carb jetting, a long story Mikuni TMR32
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,179479.msg2104967.html#msg2104967