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Author Topic: Checking/Cleaning Points: How often?  (Read 1905 times)

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Offline rsank

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Checking/Cleaning Points: How often?
« on: July 09, 2015, 05:36:56 PM »
Hello All,
1977 CB550F, bone stock.
After my carburetor service last week, I finally got around to the vacuum synchronizing. Took the bike out for a warm up ride, parked it and started preparations for carb sycn. When everything was hooked up, the bike wouldn't start. Cylinders 1,4 were not firing. No spark. I thought I might have done something to the coils while removing the tank but finally I decided to check the timing and points. Static timing was fine but points where apparently dirty. Cleaned them out with a card and it fired up like nothing had ever happened.

So my question is, I cleaned, checked the point gaps and timing when I did the 3k a few months ago. I have ridden the bike about 600 miles since that time. How often do you check your points?

Another question I have is, should I think of upgrading to an electronic ignition?

Thanks for your guidance.
« Last Edit: July 09, 2015, 05:39:47 PM by rsank »
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Offline calj737

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Re: Checking/Cleaning Points: How often?
« Reply #1 on: July 09, 2015, 07:11:46 PM »
Seems a bit unusual for them to get that dirty that quickly. Do you have the gasket installed beneath the cover? Have you had the cover off for an extended period while servicing the bike?

I like electronic ignitions, but lots of guys run points very reliably and are quite pleased with the them.
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"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis

Offline RevDoc

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Re: Checking/Cleaning Points: How often?
« Reply #2 on: July 09, 2015, 08:00:14 PM »
Cal was right on the mark with checking the gasket on your cover as a possible suspect. Another possible trouble spot could be one I had when first starting riding as a kid. Brand new bike only had a few miles on it after getting it from the dealer and it died on me miles out in the country. Dealer trucked it back to the shop and found that excessive grease had been put on the camshaft wicks and some had sprayed onto the points. A little goes a long way!
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Offline rsank

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Re: Checking/Cleaning Points: How often?
« Reply #3 on: July 09, 2015, 11:21:38 PM »
Thanks! The gasket is there and it didn't seem like it was breaking up, I will double check the condition. I haven't had the cover off since the 3k service and even that was quick. And there are no holes in the cover either.

I saw some grease in the area of the camshaft nut but points looked dry,  I will look at it all more closely.

The one thing I didn't mention is, these points and condensers were not installed by me. They were on the bike when I bought it last year. The condition is ok, there is a small amount of wear, not so much as to need them to be filed. But I have no idea how old they might be. I was planning to replace them with a new set but I had more pressing carburetor issues to sort out first. I guess now is the time to put a new set of points and condensers.

For now,  I would like to continue running the bike with points, just wasn't sure if this kind of dirt buildup was normal. From your replies, it's definitely not.
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Offline calj737

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Re: Checking/Cleaning Points: How often?
« Reply #4 on: July 10, 2015, 05:02:24 AM »
From this info, I would tend to look towards a poor gap as causing the fouling on the points. If you do replace them, be certain to avoid Daichi brand points as many members cite problems with them. Tec brand is preferred.
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"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis

Offline flybox1

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Re: Checking/Cleaning Points: How often?
« Reply #5 on: July 10, 2015, 07:03:16 AM »
+1 on the TEC (or ND) brand points.
if you add a Hondaman Ignition module to your bike, you'll only have to clean the points every few years.
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Offline lrutt

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Re: Checking/Cleaning Points: How often?
« Reply #6 on: July 10, 2015, 07:18:40 AM »
Are you sure you have good condensors?? They will ruin points real quick if the capacitance is off.

As for cleaning or lubing the points block, honestly it should go several thousand miles without care. Mine have. And when you do the points clean and lube, you should also do an advancer clean and lube. Don't let that advancer get dirty and dry, keep it nice, clean, well lubed, your bike will run a lot better.
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Offline rsank

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Re: Checking/Cleaning Points: How often?
« Reply #7 on: July 10, 2015, 11:19:46 AM »
Thanks for all the replies. Unfortunately I bought two sets of daiichi points and condensers a few months ago, so now I am forced to use them.
I will install the new points and condensers and see how it performs after that.
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Offline Vinhead1957

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Re: Checking/Cleaning Points: How often?
« Reply #8 on: July 11, 2015, 05:18:52 AM »
Did you leave the key on?  These points have active power with the on position. It can fry your points! Otherwise, after they are set properly, there should be nothing else to do.
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