magneto info
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
magneto info
OK .. I have a 69 xlch that im fixing up for the winter, It was supposed to be 60 deg today so put some gas in it and no go ,,,,I have no spark. checked the points to make sure they were opening and closing and they were.. I dont know how to check the condensor or the coil... maybe some help???. anyway like a domb a$$ I pulled the mag out of the bike so maybe I could check it at the bench ,, not thinking of marking anything, dont really have the knowledge to put it back correctly ... the manual is not to clear...I did take out the timing cover (bolt) and found the hash mark, dont know were to go from here... help would be greatly appreciated ..thanks Rick
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
CaptRick......
Reinstalling the magneto is pretty simple. With the spark plugs removed...........
1) Remove the timing hole plug and rotate the engine to the front cylinder intake valve has just closed. Stop.
(This is the front cylinder compression stroke coming up. I like to put the bike on a stand with the rear wheel off the ground. Put it in 4th gear. Now turning the engine using the rear wheel make things a lot easier.)
Now turn the engine forward very slowly and watch for the timing mark to appear in the hole.where the vertical slash mark in centered in the hole. This puts the front piston 11/16 (45°) before TDC on the compression stroke of the front cylinder.
2) Just insert the magneto into the timing cover hole. Make sure your mag seals are in good shape before doing this.
3) You want the narrow cam lobe to be the one just getting ready to open the points. If you see the fatter lobe there instead, pull the mag out and rotate the rotor 180°.
If the cam lobe is too far away from the fiber foot on the points to adjust by turning the mag, then you need to pull the mag and rotate it a tooth or two and try it again.
4) Having the narrow cam lobe ready to open the points you can now use cigarette paper to get the points to just barely open by turning the mag either clockwise or counterclockwise. Bolt it down.
5) Last of all, you can set the timing with a strobe light, getting the slash to be centered in the hole. Well, centered is perfect, but just so the slash shows up anywhere in the hole is close enough..........pg
Reinstalling the magneto is pretty simple. With the spark plugs removed...........
1) Remove the timing hole plug and rotate the engine to the front cylinder intake valve has just closed. Stop.
(This is the front cylinder compression stroke coming up. I like to put the bike on a stand with the rear wheel off the ground. Put it in 4th gear. Now turning the engine using the rear wheel make things a lot easier.)
Now turn the engine forward very slowly and watch for the timing mark to appear in the hole.where the vertical slash mark in centered in the hole. This puts the front piston 11/16 (45°) before TDC on the compression stroke of the front cylinder.
2) Just insert the magneto into the timing cover hole. Make sure your mag seals are in good shape before doing this.
3) You want the narrow cam lobe to be the one just getting ready to open the points. If you see the fatter lobe there instead, pull the mag out and rotate the rotor 180°.
If the cam lobe is too far away from the fiber foot on the points to adjust by turning the mag, then you need to pull the mag and rotate it a tooth or two and try it again.
4) Having the narrow cam lobe ready to open the points you can now use cigarette paper to get the points to just barely open by turning the mag either clockwise or counterclockwise. Bolt it down.
5) Last of all, you can set the timing with a strobe light, getting the slash to be centered in the hole. Well, centered is perfect, but just so the slash shows up anywhere in the hole is close enough..........pg
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
1) Remove the timing hole plug and rotate the engine to the front cylinder intake valve has just closed. . This is what I dont get...(sorry) how do I know when the cylinder intake valve has just closed. I can find when the timing mark gets to the hole, but is it every time that the timing mark is visible it is at when the intake valve is closed ??? my understanding is that every other time it is/??
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
1) Remove the timing hole plug and rotate the engine to the front cylinder intake valve has just closed. . This is what I dont get...(sorry) how do I know when the cylinder intake valve has just closed. I can find when the timing mark gets to the hole, but is it every time that the timing mark is visible it is at when the intake valve is closed ??? my understanding is that every other time it is/??
You don't want to fool with a pushrod cover and I do not blame you.
So, let's do it this way.......
Remove the spark plug from the rear cylinder. Leave the front plug in.
The rear cylinder now has no compression with the plug removed.
The front cylinder does have compression. Just turn the engine over and the engine will become hard to turn. Stop. It is on the front cylinder compression stroke now and this is what you are looking for.
Remove the front spark plug. Now carefully and slowly turn the engine forward with your eye on the hole. The slash mark will appear soon. That's all there is to finding the compression stroke.
Go ahead and do the mag install with the engine in this position......pg
PS EDIT NOTE: The timing mark will appear on the overlap stroke (when both intake and exhaust valves are opening/closing) and this is not where you want to be. All timing is done on the compression stroke (all valves are closed)
Last edited by piniongear; Feb 11, 2009 at 09:44 PM. Reason: added PS
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 3,035
Likes: 17
From: Houston Texas
Like this.............
Go to Photobucket.
Open an account, if you have not done so, (it's free)
Make a folder.....call it Sportster, or whatever.
Click 'browse button' to upload a pic (or pics) from your computer into Photobucket.
When upload is finished the pic(s) will be in that folder.
Move your cursor over the small thumbnail pic and you will have a drop down list with about 4 choices.
Left click the bottom choice that says 'IMG CODE'. (This copies it automatically to your clipboard)
Use the back button to go back to the forum (or just go to it with an address in the address bar)
Post your reply or subject in a post. Wherever you want to insert the pic you just copied......., do the following:
Move the cursor to that point and right click your mouse.
Left click on 'paste' and the image will be put into the post (as typing right now)
To review your post and see the pic in bright color just click on 'preview post' at the bottom. Satisfied?
Then just click on 'submit post' and now we can see your pics.
Note: The forum here limits you to 4 pics per post. If you need to show more than that just do another post.
Go to Photobucket.
Open an account, if you have not done so, (it's free)
Make a folder.....call it Sportster, or whatever.
Click 'browse button' to upload a pic (or pics) from your computer into Photobucket.
When upload is finished the pic(s) will be in that folder.
Move your cursor over the small thumbnail pic and you will have a drop down list with about 4 choices.
Left click the bottom choice that says 'IMG CODE'. (This copies it automatically to your clipboard)
Use the back button to go back to the forum (or just go to it with an address in the address bar)
Post your reply or subject in a post. Wherever you want to insert the pic you just copied......., do the following:
Move the cursor to that point and right click your mouse.
Left click on 'paste' and the image will be put into the post (as typing right now)
To review your post and see the pic in bright color just click on 'preview post' at the bottom. Satisfied?
Then just click on 'submit post' and now we can see your pics.
Note: The forum here limits you to 4 pics per post. If you need to show more than that just do another post.
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
Trending Topics
Thread Starter
|
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 32
Likes: 0
HD Forum Stories
The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles
Verdad Gallardo
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever
Pouria Savadkouei
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In
Verdad Gallardo
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?
Verdad Gallardo
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept
Verdad Gallardo
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II
Verdad Gallardo
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy
Joe Kucinski