Topic: timing light question

[evinrude7]

i bought a timing light today.  can i hook it up to the bike's battery while using or should it be a separate power source? 

[DaveBarbier]

Bike's battery is fine.

[Jimray23]

Bike's battery is fine.

X2

Jimmy
1979 kz1000 ltd mkii
     dyna s ignition, dyna 3 ohm coils, solid copper core plugs, full rewire.

[evinrude7]

thanks

[Deltarider]

Depends. Heard mixed reports, even from professional mechanics. Some say ýou should an external source. Just try. If yours has an inductive clamp, watch for polarity (if it doesn't work well, flip the clamp and close it well. Also make sure HTleads are clean and not greasy.

[strynboen]

and thek the induktive clamp for direktion...it vill often only Work if turned korrekt..a small arrov are to be direkted to the plug side..so have a good look at the clamp

[Deltarider]

..a small arrov are to be direkted to the plug side..so have a good look at the clamp

Nevertheless you may have to flip the clamp. Has to do with polarity in our wasted spark type ignition. For instance if it works correctly on HT lead #1, be sure to flip the clamp when you use it on HT lead #4, no matter what the arrow or 'THIS SIDE TOWARDS PLUG' indicates.

[strynboen]

  ha think i just tryed to it gave light.
..but still a nice system..i use it on all engines..use a extern battery on magenetic powered ignision systems..

[evinrude7]

delta and stryn,  so if i'm using #4 and #3 plug wires to set timing... #4 - the arrow should face away from the plug and #3 - the arrow should face towards the plug? 

[Deltarider]

Evinrude, fear not, you can't do anything wrong. It's just try in which position it works best. Just make sure the HTlead is clean and not greasy, close the clamp good oh... and don't drop it or have it swung hard against the bike. There's a fragile part in the clamp that can get easily damaged.

[DaveBarbier]

delta and stryn,  so if i'm using #4 and #3 plug wires to set timing... #4 - the arrow should face away from the plug and #3 - the arrow should face towards the plug?

No, Stryn is saying that they sometimes have an arrow to show which direction to orient the clamp. Delta is saying that sometimes you can't rely on that arrow because it may not be designed for our type of system. If you get a weird reading just flip the clamp around.

Edit: Oh, and mind the exhaust. I've burned wires and clamps

[becken]

I had a timing light that wouldn't work with an external battery until I connected a jumper from the negative of the battery to a ground on the bike. Your results may vary.

[evinrude7]

thanks all.  going to attempt to get this #$%* purring like a kitten today. 

[evinrude7]

well it certainly runs better.  had to turn the 1-4 plate completely clockwise to get the F to line up with the light on.  2-3 is a little jumpy but it's there.  for the life of me i cannot get the bike to idle anywhere below 1200 with sustain.  it slowly idles out and dies.  super frustrating.

[Jimray23]

Can you tell if its getting to lean or too rich, causing it to die.

Jimmy
1979 kz1000 ltd mkii
     dyna s ignition, dyna 3 ohm coils, solid copper core plugs, full rewire.

[evinrude7]

i reckon i need to learn how to tell jim.

[Jimray23]

How long has it been since you went through your carbs

Jimmy
1979 kz1000 ltd mkii
     dyna s ignition, dyna 3 ohm coils, solid copper core plugs, full rewire.

[evinrude7]

within a week.  i've gone through them 4 or 5 times since i got the bike just before xmas.  it wasn't running when i got it.  rides great, plenty of power.  since i added the stock air box back it never bogs down when i really give it the throttle like it used to with pods. 

one other thing is i set the idel at 1200.  it doesn't die.  i ride it half a mile to the first stop sign and i pull up with the clutch lever in and it's idling at 2000 now.  don't stay constant. 

[Jimray23]

I hate to say it but i think its going to be in the carb. Wiredgeorge on here would be a better person to ask than me, hell most people would be better to ask than me about carbs. Lol

Jimmy
1979 kz1000 ltd mkii
     dyna s ignition, dyna 3 ohm coils, solid copper core plugs, full rewire.

[evinrude7]

thanks for the help so far.  i'm thinking jets and needle height.  i'll get those soon.  it goes down the road great. 

[DaveBarbier]

one other thing is i set the idel at 1200.  it doesn't die.  i ride it half a mile to the first stop sign and i pull up with the clutch lever in and it's idling at 2000 now.  don't stay constant.

Sorry if I haven't been following closely, but this doesn't in and of itself mean that anything is wrong.

If it's not properly warmed up, the idle will raise until it is. Set the idle when it's completely warm then don't touch it.

I have a feeling you've been told this before and there's more going on and I'm just late to the party, haha.

[evinrude7]

where does, for instance, your bike idle dave?

[Stev-o]

Did you check your carb boots for air leaks?
I set my idle by ear and like it higher than the book states.  Eases cold starts....

[DaveBarbier]

where does, for instance, your bike idle dave?

Maybe a hair over 1k RPM indicated on the tach once warm. The PD46C has a fast idle cam so it raises the idle automatically when you pull the choke.

[evinrude7]

yep checked for air leaks.  nothing.  i have those clamps down tight.  soon i'll do an idle plug chop and see what's what. 

i noticed when checking spark advance the TDC mark to align to is showing way past the mark i think i'm supposed to see.  it goes to a screw on that plate behind the timing plate.