Just got bike put back together. Installed dynatek s6 ignition. Static timed per the instructions. Bike fires right up, hardly a spin and runs great. Have tried several times to dynamic time with clear plug and 2 different lights and cant see the mark. I've tried highlighting the mark with a dab of paint but no help. Have gotten it up to temp several times, no hard starts (hot or cold) great throttle response, no popping or coughing. Any tricks spotting the mark? Working alone so no one to adjust plate while I watch the light. If it's off, I don't see how it could be much as easy as it starts and as well as it runs

 

Also, there is only about 1/4" of adjustment left on the timing plate and this is on a 91 softail. Thanks

 

Are you sure you hooked up the light correctly to the front cylinder?

 

100%, all 4 times. I think it's close, I just can't SEE it

 

The dot is extremely hard to see at best. Make sure the clear plug is screwed in as close to the flywheel as possible without rubbing it. The window is approx 5 degrees wide but looking for the dot, about 4 degrees is all you can see. Forward of center is retarded, rear of center is advanced.

Is one of your timing lights an advance type? If so, set it to 35 degrees and look for the TDC "line" rather than the "dot."

 

Thanks, was gonna try the advance method with the light but that ones dead. Waiting for a replacement light to show up

 

YW. When you get it dialed in on the TDC mark, go back to zero on the light and look at the dot. That way, next time you'll know what it looks like.

And that's 5 degrees total in the hole, not each side of center. Didn't want to leave that unclear.

 

What I find that works better for me than the clear plug that I have that I could never see anything threw it also, is a short of clear hose, one that fits tight in the timing hole, push it in until it touches the flywheel, this well keep most of the oil spray down, shoot the timing light threw the center of the hose

 

I never us a timing light. Static timing. listen and seat of the pants. If it starts and runs okay what's the trouble? Take it for a ride if it's doing something it shouldn't adjust accordingly one way or the other. Take it for a ride again if it is better or worse fine adjustments accordingly one way or the other. Repeat, repeat how ever many times until you get it right. If you go to far one way go back the other way. You'll know when it's right.

 

I can't see anything with that plug. I used to jam a rag in the hole, get it running and with timing light in one hand and the rag in the other, pull out the damn rag and look in the hole (quickly!) and put the rag back in there. (It wasn't as bad as it sounds )

Exception: DynaS systems. They work great on a static time.