Hi Everyone!
It's been a while. I've been trying to get run in miles, not easy considering my lack of experience with the machine, the errant weather patterns and ongoing mechanical issues.
I thought I had the timing to perfection. And then... one day I started the bike with no issue, first kick as usual. Then it stalled under load (as soon as I tried to engage the clutch).
I restarted, again. This happened several times. I pushed back into the driveway and went at restarting, no it wouldn't start as usual. And when I did get it started I would idle as it would before.
I check the timing, gap, tappet clearance, fuel flow, when I did get it started again I checked for air leaks. Noticed oil residue on the backside of front cylinder head gasket.
Decided to remove front cylinder head. Surprisingly clean considering I haven't run it for more than a 10 - 15 minutes the few times I did manage to ride it.
I decided to check the timing according to piston position. I think I miscalculated - measured BTDC from top of cylinder rather than actual TDC. I'm guessing the piston does not travel to a point where it's level with the top of the cylinder. I realized this because I remember the flywheel mark was closer to the 1/4 side of the window than the center (5/16).
So my questions:
If the timing is set to 1/4 (forward edge of window) will it cause repetitive kick-backs when attempting to start?
Assuming the timing is set with the mark at 5/16, if I retard the spark does it move the spark occurrence to a point where the piston distance is greater than 5/16 or less than 5/16?
And finally, is 5/16 the position to use when setting the circuit breaker to "just beginning to open"?
Some of these questions I think I know the answer, but hearing it from people more knowledgable will give me the confidence to go back at this armed with, well, confidence in what I'm doing.
Regards,
Loch
P.S. my wife is becoming concerned that I'm going kill myself on this thing.
It's been a while. I've been trying to get run in miles, not easy considering my lack of experience with the machine, the errant weather patterns and ongoing mechanical issues.
I thought I had the timing to perfection. And then... one day I started the bike with no issue, first kick as usual. Then it stalled under load (as soon as I tried to engage the clutch).
I restarted, again. This happened several times. I pushed back into the driveway and went at restarting, no it wouldn't start as usual. And when I did get it started I would idle as it would before.
I check the timing, gap, tappet clearance, fuel flow, when I did get it started again I checked for air leaks. Noticed oil residue on the backside of front cylinder head gasket.
Decided to remove front cylinder head. Surprisingly clean considering I haven't run it for more than a 10 - 15 minutes the few times I did manage to ride it.
I decided to check the timing according to piston position. I think I miscalculated - measured BTDC from top of cylinder rather than actual TDC. I'm guessing the piston does not travel to a point where it's level with the top of the cylinder. I realized this because I remember the flywheel mark was closer to the 1/4 side of the window than the center (5/16).
So my questions:
If the timing is set to 1/4 (forward edge of window) will it cause repetitive kick-backs when attempting to start?
Assuming the timing is set with the mark at 5/16, if I retard the spark does it move the spark occurrence to a point where the piston distance is greater than 5/16 or less than 5/16?
And finally, is 5/16 the position to use when setting the circuit breaker to "just beginning to open"?
Some of these questions I think I know the answer, but hearing it from people more knowledgable will give me the confidence to go back at this armed with, well, confidence in what I'm doing.
Regards,
Loch
P.S. my wife is becoming concerned that I'm going kill myself on this thing.
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