Distributor Advance / Retard slot

[jgbrown59]

In the process of doing some restorative work on my 59FL (owned since 1980) I found the slot in the distributor shaft housing that controls the distributor advance / retard travel to be considerably worn on the advance stop side.
59 distributor slot wear.jpg

I have the shaft housing from a 47EL (approx. 0.750” wide) and 48FL (0.870” wide) shown below. All of them have different widths.
48 dist advance gap.jpg

Over the past few years I’ve had suspicions my 59 distributor was traveling too far when retarded, potentially impacting starting (to much retard). I realize I can control the distributor travel with the cable adjustment but I’m just anal enough to want the distributor to hit its stops so I want the correct opening.

Does anyone know what the factory width of the slot is? I’ve welded the worn slot for the 59 (now 0.685”) shown below, but need to clean it up and would like to get it back to the original, or maybe slightly narrower, width.
59 dist gap.jpg

Palmer answered my question - Page 643, 3rd Revised Edition says 13/16” (0.8125”). I should have looked there first!


Since I wrote this up, then found the answer, any contributing opinions or commentary?


Thanks,


Jim

[T. Cotten]

Gosh, Jim,

The only thing that matters is how you time it to its fully advanced stop.

Most Folks find they start easier if they are not fully retarded anyway.

(By the way, HD never used a 'distributor', but Indian did!)

....Cotten
PS:
Somebody please identify this timer that's aimed back at the motor?
Its .935" at the top, so it can't be HD, right?

TIMER.jpg
Thanks in advance as always,

[jgbrown59]

Tom,

Yes, I understand the right side is the one that matters as the fully advanced stop. My concern is if the slot is too wide, and the cable is adjusted to move the timer stop to stop, as I assume was the motor company's intention, the timing would be retarded further than desgined, and the engine may not start as well. I have always liked the sound and positive feel of the timer hitting both the fully advanced and retard stops. I've had this bike for almost 50 years so most of the wear in the slot is from my use.

What I may really be asking is if anyone has found a sweet spot in the amount of retard that facilitates starting and minimizes kickback. Something like 60, 70, or 80% of full retard?

To address your Timer question Tom - I don't completely understand the question and most likely do not know the answer anyway.


Jim

[Lyle Manheimer]

JG,
I have owned my 1964 police FL for 15 years. I ride it quite often, It still has the original dual point timer. I last timed it maybe 5 years ago after cleaning the points with a plastone. Never checked stops or slots. I am sure I timed it with a 12 volt light, have to use an external power source as it is still 6 volt.
It almost always starts first hot kick. My drill is four kicks throttle wide choke full on. Take choke off and back on one click. Retard spark maybe 5-10% and kick. Voila, go for a ride after taking choke off and advancing timer. I have never found much need to mess with the advance unless I am riding double ascending a steep grade. Dual point timer is the original single fire ignition from HD, right Tom?

[T. Cotten]

Dual point timer is the original single fire ignition from HD, right Tom?

I really don't know, Lyle,

As I am not familiar with many early models.

If fully retarding does not kill the motor, I can't see a problem.

.....Cotten