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Author Topic: Timing Light issue - no light  (Read 1421 times)

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Offline ben.cb500

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Timing Light issue - no light
« on: June 01, 2011, 10:14:46 AM »
I am following the Honda manual for setting timing of 1-4, I remove the blue wire and connect the light to the terminal (where the blue wire just was).

I can rotate the engine slowly fully and I get no light on. I connect the light to the just disconnected BLUE and it does light up (for the full rotation).

Can anyone tell me what I might have as an issue?
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Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: Timing Light issue - no light
« Reply #1 on: June 01, 2011, 10:21:42 AM »
When you find out, let me know, I had the same exact problem. Never did solve it. Ultimately I just gave up. The bike runs well, so I assume that the timing is fine.
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"The problem with quotes on the Internet is that you never know if they're true" - Abraham Lincoln

Current: '76 CB750F. Previous:  '75 CB550F, 2007 Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000, '77 CB550k, '68 Suzuki K10 80, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, '89 Yamaha FJ1200

Offline TwoTired

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Re: Timing Light issue - no light
« Reply #2 on: June 01, 2011, 10:39:10 AM »
The points get power via the blue wire (which comes from the powered coil).

So, what you are saying is that if you remove power from the points, a light connected to them can't illuminate.


My question is...  Why are you removing the blue wire?
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Lloyd... (SOHC4 #11 Original Mail List)
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Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: Timing Light issue - no light
« Reply #3 on: June 01, 2011, 10:55:43 AM »
I can answer that: because that's what the manual says to do.
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"The problem with quotes on the Internet is that you never know if they're true" - Abraham Lincoln

Current: '76 CB750F. Previous:  '75 CB550F, 2007 Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000, '77 CB550k, '68 Suzuki K10 80, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, '89 Yamaha FJ1200

Offline c(b)hris

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Re: Timing Light issue - no light
« Reply #4 on: June 01, 2011, 11:11:15 AM »
Leave the wire hooked up.  Put the clip on the wire.  Make sure your kill switch isn't on "off".
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Offline TwoTired

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Re: Timing Light issue - no light
« Reply #5 on: June 01, 2011, 11:15:40 AM »
Quote from: Bankerdanny on June 01, 2011, 10:55:43 AM
I can answer that: because that's what the manual says to do.
What manual?
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Lloyd... (SOHC4 #11 Original Mail List)
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Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: Timing Light issue - no light
« Reply #6 on: June 01, 2011, 11:28:24 AM »
The 550 shop manual that I downloaded from the forum. I can't access it here at the office, but it definitely says to disconnect the blue wire from the 1-4 points.
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"The problem with quotes on the Internet is that you never know if they're true" - Abraham Lincoln

Current: '76 CB750F. Previous:  '75 CB550F, 2007 Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000, '77 CB550k, '68 Suzuki K10 80, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, '89 Yamaha FJ1200

Offline Silverback

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Re: Timing Light issue - no light
« Reply #7 on: June 01, 2011, 11:52:03 AM »
The manual does state to do so. Just leave it connected as stated above.
« Last Edit: June 01, 2011, 12:02:42 PM by Silverback »
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Chris
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Offline c(b)hris

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Re: Timing Light issue - no light
« Reply #8 on: June 01, 2011, 12:02:08 PM »
I think I read in another post that those instructions assume you have a self powered light.

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Offline TwoTired

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Re: Timing Light issue - no light
« Reply #9 on: June 01, 2011, 12:25:09 PM »


The Honda shop manual does not say to disconnect the blue wire, and shows a 12v bulb connected properly in the diagram.
« Last Edit: June 01, 2011, 12:26:53 PM by TwoTired »
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Lloyd... (SOHC4 #11 Original Mail List)
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Offline Silverback

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Re: Timing Light issue - no light
« Reply #10 on: June 01, 2011, 12:31:00 PM »
Where can one get a copy of this nifty Honda manual? I find that the other manuals are very lacking on information.
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Chris
"It's hard to define soul. You get it in art. You get it in music, and occasionally you get it in machinery."
78 CB750F racer
78 CB750F stock
75 CB750K Baby Blue Sold (She was a great bike!)
71 CB750K (rusty rod)
77 cb550F Sold :(  Bought it Back :)
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01 Aprilia Falco
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Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: Timing Light issue - no light
« Reply #11 on: June 01, 2011, 01:09:04 PM »
It depends on which part of the manual you check apparently. As I said, I can't get to mine right now, but the clip posted by Silverback is what I was going from too.
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"The problem with quotes on the Internet is that you never know if they're true" - Abraham Lincoln

Current: '76 CB750F. Previous:  '75 CB550F, 2007 Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000, '77 CB550k, '68 Suzuki K10 80, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, '89 Yamaha FJ1200

Offline TwoTired

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Re: Timing Light issue - no light
« Reply #12 on: June 01, 2011, 01:31:50 PM »
Quote from: Silverback on June 01, 2011, 12:31:00 PM
Where can one get a copy of this nifty Honda manual? I find that the other manuals are very lacking on information.

It used to be available on line with a link here in the forums (somewhere).

But, you can buy a hard copy from HelmInc.com .
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Lloyd... (SOHC4 #11 Original Mail List)
72 500, 74 550, 75 550K, 75 550F, 76 550F, 77 550F X2, 78 550K, 77 750F X2, 78 750F, 79CX500, 85 700SC, GL1100

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Offline c(b)hris

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Re: Timing Light issue - no light
« Reply #13 on: June 01, 2011, 01:40:14 PM »
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Offline Silverback

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Re: Timing Light issue - no light
« Reply #14 on: June 01, 2011, 01:57:40 PM »
Well, that is the manual I have. I guess information from a different part of the manual was posted.

Thanks fellas!
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Chris
"It's hard to define soul. You get it in art. You get it in music, and occasionally you get it in machinery."
78 CB750F racer
78 CB750F stock
75 CB750K Baby Blue Sold (She was a great bike!)
71 CB750K (rusty rod)
77 cb550F Sold :(  Bought it Back :)
Basket case 73 CB750, 77 CB750F (Building now)
01 Aprilia Falco
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Offline CycleRanger

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Re: Timing Light issue - no light
« Reply #15 on: June 01, 2011, 02:12:06 PM »
The original CB750 shop manual has many mistakes, typos, and grammatical errors.

I have a 3/70  printing of the green-cover shop manual and there's some pretty twisted english in a few places!
I also have loose-leaf copy from 1975 and it corrects some of the earlier mistakes but not all.

I assume the 500/550 manuals are just as bad.
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Offline malcolmgb

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Re: Timing Light issue - no light
« Reply #16 on: June 01, 2011, 02:24:11 PM »
The most important thing to do is understand what you are doing and not follow instructions blindly, in this instance look at the wiring and components, follow the electrical path, make your own drawing, if you think it is then obvious how the light should go on/off.
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Offline ben.cb500

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Re: Timing Light issue - no light
« Reply #17 on: June 01, 2011, 03:02:34 PM »
i have the 71 Honda 500 shop manual and it does say DISCONNECT. When I leave it connected I do get a LIGHT ON, so thank you for the clarification, the manual is wrong.

I also dbl checked it using the spark plug method as per this sites FAQ.

Much thanks!
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Offline TwoTired

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Re: Timing Light issue - no light
« Reply #18 on: June 01, 2011, 03:57:45 PM »
Notable documentation sources often revise/update their publications to keep them relevant and more accurate, fixing translation and description errors.

My Honda CB500/550 Shop manual has an issue date of July 20, 1977.  No doubt there were earlier versions.  There may even be later versions.  Certainly my copy was the most current when I first received it.

You could contact HelmInc.com to find out which issue date they distribute.  They have the right print and distribute Honda manuals in the US.

http://www.helminc.com/helm/product2.asp?Make=AHC&Model=STR+&Year=1978&Category=1&class_2=AHC&mk=Honda+Motorcycle&yr=1978&md=On-Road&dt=Shop%2FService+Information&module=&from=result&Style=helm&Sku=6137407&itemtype=N

Cheers,
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Lloyd... (SOHC4 #11 Original Mail List)
72 500, 74 550, 75 550K, 75 550F, 76 550F, 77 550F X2, 78 550K, 77 750F X2, 78 750F, 79CX500, 85 700SC, GL1100

Those that learn from history are doomed to repeat it by those that don't learn from history.
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