So, I reinstalled my cleaned up original advancer, and the old problems returned. The bike struggled below 2,500 rpm and then would slingshot up from 2,500 rpm as the advance finally opened up. The springs were too tight. So what is Goldilocks to do? I ended up taking one of the softer aftermarket springs and one of my shortened OEM springs on the OEM advancer - and it worked like a charm! Was much easier to set timing, bike idles at 1,000-1,200 rpm nicely, revs up smoothly with no "slingshot" effect, and comes back down to a consistent 1,200 rpm idle. I took it for a test ride, since the issues would get worse when the bike was good and hot, and the bike came back to 1,200 at every stop sign. A bit unconventional, but I think I've got my solve!
I also flipped that shock around so it was seated correctly and is no longer rubbing. I was mistaken about the bushings. My originals are still in place. I remember thinking they looked fine, and like a hell of a pain to remove at the time, so I left them alone. I do have Honda replacements that I never used on hand, just in case.
Next up on the to-do list is to replace my front brake line. I have a custom length HEL steel line that I'll run down to the caliper pipe. I'm deleting the pressure switch behind the headlight and wiring up to the master cylinder switch. I also need to take my tach apart and rebuild it. It likes to stop working sometimes and needs a good whack
Oh, I also have noticed my instruments have no glow anymore. I can't read them at all in the dark. Is there a fix for this? Or do I need to replace the faces?
David Silver Aftermarket spring on the left, OE spring on the right:
