EVO All Evo Model Discussion

need timing light

Old Sep 21, 2009 | 10:27 PM
  #1  
RidemyEVO's Avatar
RidemyEVO
Thread Starter
|
Stellar HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,039
Likes: 11
From: Northern Ontario
Default need timing light

Hi
Its time I get a timing light for my 89 decker and from what I've read and heard there are timing lights that you can set to the degree you want, can I get some input as too which timing light works well and what your using?
Thanks
 
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2009 | 05:35 AM
  #2  
t150vej's Avatar
t150vej
HDF Community Team
20 Year Member
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 3
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,428
Likes: 2,628
From: NC USA
Default

The deal with the variable advance timing lights is that you can set the degrees of advance you want on the light (35 degrees for an Evo) and then read the TDC mark on the flywheel, rather than the advance mark on the flywheel which is a small dot. The variable advance feature retards the flash of the light and has no effect on the actual ignition.

Some lights with that feature have a switch for 2 or 4 cycle. Since the (stock) ignition is dual fire, if the light does not have a selectable (2 or 4), you have to double the values. That is; to read 35 degrees at the TDC mark, you'd have to set the light at 70 degrees. Also if it has a tach built in, it would read double of actual rpms.

I try to avoid opinions (usually) concerning personal preferences, but considering you basically only need to set timing once, I'd recommend the cheapest one you can find which has a selectable cycle feature. Lots of choices out there, so shop around. And I do recommend the clear timing hole plug rather than old storm doors, diving goggles or disposable clothes - they will blow a lot of oil out at you!
 
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2009 | 06:39 AM
  #3  
prodrag1320's Avatar
prodrag1320
Banned
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,569
Likes: 624
From: deland,florida
Default timing

little secret here,take out the timing plug and get the advance mark (round mark) in the middle of the window,drain primary and take off instection cover,clean a spot on alternater rotor & inner primary,get some white out and mark rotor and primary,put timing plug back in and time with light thru inspection cover hole,no mess,ALOT easier to see mark.try it,you`ll like it
kirby
vee twin racing
www.veetwinperformance.com
 
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2009 | 07:43 AM
  #4  
RidemyEVO's Avatar
RidemyEVO
Thread Starter
|
Stellar HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,039
Likes: 11
From: Northern Ontario
Default

Originally Posted by t150vej
The deal with the variable advance timing lights is that you can set the degrees of advance you want on the light (35 degrees for an Evo) and then read the TDC mark on the flywheel, rather than the advance mark on the flywheel which is a small dot. The variable advance feature retards the flash of the light and has no effect on the actual ignition.

Some lights with that feature have a switch for 2 or 4 cycle. Since the (stock) ignition is dual fire, if the light does not have a selectable (2 or 4), you have to double the values. That is; to read 35 degrees at the TDC mark, you'd have to set the light at 70 degrees. Also if it has a tach built in, it would read double of actual rpms.

I try to avoid opinions (usually) concerning personal preferences, but considering you basically only need to set timing once, I'd recommend the cheapest one you can find which has a selectable cycle feature. Lots of choices out there, so shop around. And I do recommend the clear timing hole plug rather than old storm doors, diving goggles or disposable clothes - they will blow a lot of oil out at you!
Thanks again for the valuable input. I did buy one timing light at our Canadian Tire store in Ontario here it was 50 bucks, I connected it up and got one flash out of it and that was it. I had thought maybe that one was maybe only for points. I seen they have another one that has the degree dial on the back for 100 bucks and was thinking this may be the one I need. http://www.canadiantire.ca/AST/brows...ng%2BLight.jsp
 
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2009 | 08:17 AM
  #5  
sqdealgeorge's Avatar
sqdealgeorge
Road Warrior
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,854
Likes: 20
From: Eagle River WI
Default

I have an extra Dyna 2000 mod Hell with the timing light ! The last time someone wanted me to time their bike I took them behind the shop showed them what to do (timing plug removal etc etc ) At which time I went back into the shop 10 minutes later the guy came into the shop dripping oil off his new leather I asked him how it went he said he really didn't need it timed !!! I did offer him a beer
 
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2009 | 08:21 AM
  #6  
t150vej's Avatar
t150vej
HDF Community Team
20 Year Member
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 3
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 5,428
Likes: 2,628
From: NC USA
Default

Originally Posted by sqdealgeorge
The last time someone wanted me to time their bike I took them behind the shop showed them what to do (timing plug removal etc etc ) At which time I went back into the shop 10 minutes later the guy came into the shop dripping oil off his new leather I asked him how it went he said he really didn't need it timed !!! I did offer him a beer
 
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2009 | 08:32 AM
  #7  
prodrag1320's Avatar
prodrag1320
Banned
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,569
Likes: 624
From: deland,florida
Default

time it like i explained,you`ll never time it thru the timing hole again,trust me.same with open belts,mark the pully and time it off that
kirby
vee twin racing
 
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2009 | 09:25 AM
  #8  
RidemyEVO's Avatar
RidemyEVO
Thread Starter
|
Stellar HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,039
Likes: 11
From: Northern Ontario
Default

Originally Posted by sqdealgeorge
I have an extra Dyna 2000 mod Hell with the timing light ! The last time someone wanted me to time their bike I took them behind the shop showed them what to do (timing plug removal etc etc ) At which time I went back into the shop 10 minutes later the guy came into the shop dripping oil off his new leather I asked him how it went he said he really didn't need it timed !!! I did offer him a beer
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-5

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Sep 22, 2009 | 09:27 AM
  #9  
RidemyEVO's Avatar
RidemyEVO
Thread Starter
|
Stellar HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,039
Likes: 11
From: Northern Ontario
Default

Originally Posted by prodrag1320
time it like i explained,you`ll never time it thru the timing hole again,trust me.same with open belts,mark the pully and time it off that
kirby
vee twin racing
No matter which way I time it I still need to know which type of light to get.
 
Reply
Old Sep 22, 2009 | 10:24 AM
  #10  
prodrag1320's Avatar
prodrag1320
Banned
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 3,569
Likes: 624
From: deland,florida
Default timing light

just go to autozone(or whatever)and get the cheapest one they have,no dials,no switches,just a regular timing light,2,4,6,8 cylinders dosnt matter,just a regular timing light
kirby
vee twin racing
 
Reply

Thread Tools
Search this Thread

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:10 PM.

story-0
Harley-Davidson Fat Boy Becomes a Dark, Decepticon-Inspired Custom

Slideshow: Killer Custom's latest build relies on styling changes rather than performance upgrades, giving the cruiser an entirely different personality.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-03 18:28:05


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Weirdest Harley-Davidsons Ever Sold to the Public

Slideshow: From military-inspired singles to scooters and three-wheel utility vehicles, these Harleys took the company far outside its comfort zone.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-02 18:34:10


VIEW MORE
story-2
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-4
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-5
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-6
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-7
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-8
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-9
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE