Topic: Dwell again

[feliz]

Sorry to bring this up again but after doing a search and reading the FAQs I'm still confused over the dwell value we should use. Seems lots of owners feel using dwell rather than gap is a better (more accurate) way to go, I have a dwell meter and I'll give it a try but from reading all the posts I've seen values ranging from 22 to 98 that have been used to set the points. What IS the correct value to use. Thanks in advance!!

[feliz]

Okay, I'll answer my own question, I found the answer somewhere else on the net although it doesn't jive with what I've read here.

190 degress +/- 5 if anyone is interested.

[oldfart]

Feliz -- Technically, you're correct, and Honda has that figure in the mechanic's spec book.  The problem is there are virtually no dwell meters (with only one to two exceptions to my knowledge) made for motorcycles.  The confusion rests in the fact that not all dwell meters read the same way.  They usually all have scales enabling switching between different numbers of cylinders, because engines join their points and cylinders in different combinations.  Differing numbers of cylinders of course, but also, points systems are driven from different places on different engines, some from shafts slower than the crankshaft, and some like the SOHC fours that are equal to the crankshaft.  On top of that, the points opening cams have different numbers of bumps knocking the points open, on different engines.  There is no possible consistency even among just the car industry -- hence the scale selections -- let alone between the car and motorcycle industries.  The best thing to do is carefully gap a set of points mechanically, then note the reading on your dwell meter (usually set to its smallest scale).  Simply remember that number.       

[feliz]

Thanks Oldfart. What you've said is correct. I'm a really oldfart and remember in the "old days" using dwell meters on my cars and bikes, some with dual points, I would just change scales untill I found one that looked appropriate, they didn't always work the way they were supposed to, it was a crap shoot as to what scale to use for all the reasons you've indicated.

[ken736cc]

It is true that all meters read differently. When I worked on Suzukis in the late 70's, we had an automotive type dwell meter.  We would determine the correct dwell for a new model by very carefully setting the point gap and timing by feeler gauge and strobe light. We would take a dwell reading from that bike, and use it on all future tune ups for that model. This works if you only use the same meter . Dwell angle is much more important on an 8 cylinder car than it is on a bike. There is less time for a coil to charge when you are opening and closing points rapidly, as in a car distributor.

[jsaab2748]

Not to disagree with anyone's comments so far, they are all true. Here's what I've found...
Total dwell is supposed to be 92-98 degrees. I'm told that if you set each set of points using a 4 cylinder scale of an automotive dwell meter, the correct reading should be 46-49 degrees (again, for each set of points). You can use an 8 cylinder scale and adjust each set to 23-24.5 degrees. I always adjust each set to 47.5 degrees using the 4 cylinder scale, then use a strobe type automotive timing light to check initial and total advance.