I believe I may not have had a good connection with the timing light. Or, the clear plug I had was not giving me a good look through the hole.

When I got home tonight, I took another shot at it. I used the aftermarket clear plug that I bought. I sent the one I bought from the dealer to THC. He likes surplus parts.

Anyway, the aftermarket plug is shorter than the dealer plug, and I could clearly see the 2 dots in the window. At idle, they were pretty much centered. When I reved it, they moved to the right and only one stayed visible.

I'm going out to do the adjustment now.... had to wait for my son. Will report in a second or 2.

 

Somebody PLEASE tell me I got it right.........

When I rev it now, the timing marks stay centered in the hole. I had to turn the timing plate thing 3 full marks counter clockwise.

Is that enough to affect the way she runs?

 

The short answer is yes it is enough to affect the way she runs.

 

Well, did I set it properly?

 

According to your book you did.

 

 

I found this at nightrider.
http://www.nightrider.com/biketech/i..._timing_00.htm

 

The timing should have the 20* mark centered at 1050-1500 rpm(page 8-1, and page 8-10-paragraph #'s 5&6 in book #99482-98).

3 notches counter-clockwise is a good bit of retard, sounds like it was set right before, when the advance marks where centered at up to 1500rpm, then move to the right when reved, because it was advancing like it should.

The stock ignition should be set to 20* at 1050 to 1500rpm, then the ignition module will take care of the advance anywhere from 0*at startup, up to 42.5*depending on rpm and VOES inputs.

SOOOOOO, I think it was right before, did you happen to mark it before turning?

 

This is how I set mine, followed the manual and checked with a timing light at a rpm around 1250. The 2-dots were in the center and when rpm increase you could see them advance. I believe this to be correct, but purchased a Dyna 2000i on John's recommendations to ensure the timing is correct and for the optional settings.

 

I do mine a little differently when I set them up to start with.

With the primary cover off I set it to TDC and mark the rotor with clear fingernail polish at the three o'clock position. And do the same for all the timing marks.

The shovels had the internal oiler barb I would use as a reference point inside the inner, but you can make a mark of your own at 3 o'clock on the inner to match up.

Now when you want to check the timing, just pull the inspection cover and shoot the light at the rotor and watch your marks as you move the plate.

Griz