When i put the strobe on it, it shows to be advanced in front of the F mark. The bike is not running too good obvously. Plugs are sooty. Bike pops and stutters under accerlation and idle "sticks". I have not cleaned or rebuilt the carbs and not sure how long it has been since the carbs where gone through.
How far off is the timing? Is it both points with this symptom? Are they new, or old and crusty? Crusty points can show a difference between static and dynamic time, by a few degrees.
With the strobe, can you see the advance come in and drop back with RPM changes. I think it should be all in by 3500. Does it appear to advance and retard smoothly during the transition?
With the air bleed screws out 1.5 turns, did you notice any performance change? If you take out the air filter temporarily is there a behavior change?
Is the fuel in the carb bowls clean and clear of debris?
Do you know if the carb float height is correct? How about floats that have pinholes in them?
Do your carbs have the individual cables (early) or the belcrank on the shaft for synchronization? I heard the early type did go out of synch more often. Odd idle behavior is a symptom.
Might have to take the carbs apart, but I think I would try syncing them before resigning to that eventuality. 'Course, I have guages in the garage already.
Don't know about a touch test for temp. But, if you run it stationary, you should have a fan blowing on the cooling fins at 15 MPH or more.
Cheers,