Topic: Static timing, timing light wont light on points

[zcb350fb]

I have a 1973 cb350f. It was having some issues losing power so i decided to check the ignition points. They looked really rough. Bike ran fine a month ago, but then it sat for a month. After sitting it felt like it wasn’t producing its full power. I looked at the ignition points and they were rough. I have had the bike a year and never replaced them so i decided to replace them, reset the points gap and set the timing statically. After setting the points gap, i moved on to make sure my test light lit up at the f marks. The light would not light at the f marks so i moved the plates around and the light still never lit up.

If i put the test light directly on the battery, it would still light.

I’m charging the battery right now to see if it was maybe caused by the battery being too low? Does this mean anything else to you all?

Any feedback would be greatly appreciated!

[TwoTired]

Power gets to the points from the off-on-off switch to Blk/wht wires to coils, then on the each blue and yellow wires. at the points.  With the points open and test light should come on when touching the points connection post.  Make sure the wires at those post aren't touching anything but post.  That would ground out any power and prevent a test light from illuminating.

Cheers,

[zcb350fb]

That’s exactly what it was. I knew it would be something simple. Thank you!

[zcb350fb]

I cant get the 1-4 points to gap correctly. They are going way to wide and the slot in the points where the screw goes through to secure them to the plate has no more room to move to get the points gap any smaller.

The 2-3 gaps are fine. I bought the points from 4into1. Could they just be crappy points or am i doing something wrong? My test light, lights up way be for the f mark and begins to light up on the advance marks

[Don R]

 find the timing procedure in the manual at the top of the page. Read it and then follow it through.

[PeWe]

I have used this instruction
http://www.hondachopper.com/garage/carb_info/timing/Static_and_Strobe_Timing.pdf

Then MRieck's eminent thread about equal point gap with a dwell meter. Adjust the point gap while running. Idle around 1200-1600 rpm.
I read it, did it and added photos into that thread.
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=147444.0

Read this too. https://www.motorcycleproject.com/text/sohcign.html
It will help you to get it to work and understand some issues like point plate that can move sideways when adjusting 1:4 and gap on both 1:4, 2:3 will change and the igntion setting will follow. Possible to fix.