Topic: Timing & points - paper method, static, strobe - WTH?

[rshinall]

Ok, so I replaced my points and condensers and tried timing my CB350F using a strobe. That was a very frustrating waste of time. It ran fine to start with, but I wanted to confirm the timing. After two hours of back and forth between barely running, marginal running, and decent running, I stopped and buttoned it up. Whew. What a pain.

I read every post I could find and watched every YouTube video I could, and then found the FAQ here that describes the "paper" method:
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=5752.0

So I tackled it today using the paper method, and it fired right up and runs great. However, when I put the strobe on it, the timing marks are nowhere near where the manual says they should be. This is confirmed when I use the static method as well. 1/4 and 2/3 are both off according to the strobe, but they do seem to be off by the same amount.

What am I missing? Should I even care at this point since the paper method seems to have worked? My concern is that I have too much advance - and I don't want any risk of detonation.

Any thoughts or advice are greatly appreciated. 

[brewsky]

The most critical setting is the advance set with the strobe.
Set it that way and at idle it should return close to the F mark.
If not, then you have an advance mechanism issue.

[rshinall]

The most critical setting is the advance set with the strobe.
Set it that way and at idle it should return close to the F mark.
If not, then you have an advance mechanism issue.

You're referring to matching up the marks at ~3,500 rpm, correct? The problem I was having when trying to set things with the strobe is that every change affects something else. I started with setting both points gaps, then tried to time 1/4, then tried to time 2/3. Maybe I just need to try again. Or maybe try first with the static method and then confirm it with the strobe.

[brewsky]

Yes to all questions.

You're not trying to set the timing with the pointgap are you?

Set the points gaps then leave them alone.

Then set the static timing for both and then check the advance when revved to confirm.

If the advance marks are off, then re-adjust the timing till the pointer is between the 2 advance marks.

[rshinall]

PROGRESS! I started from scratch, using these steps:

• Set the gaps on the points
• Loosened the 1/4 points plate screws, but kept it snug - loose enough to move but not slip after adjusting
• Fired it up and locked the throttle down at 3500 rpm
• Gently adjusted the points plate to get the timing marks to line up using the strobe
• Tightened the points plate screws and double-checked the timing
• Loosened the 2/3 points plate screws - again, loose enough to move but not slip after adjusting
• Locked the throttle down at 3500 rpm
• Gently adjusted the 2/3 points plate to get the timing marks to line up using the strobe
• Tightened down the points plate and double-checked the timing
• Checked 1/4 and 2/3 timing at idle
• Also checked timing using the static method
• Doubled-checked the points gaps (no change needed)

Everything matched up! From now on I will do it this way - not sure why I couldn't get accurate reading before.

[brewsky]

That works also.
Good deal