Timing advance cover:
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Timing advance cover:
I figure it's about time I shot out into a new thread - I've long-since moved passed overheating.
My latest questions are regarding the timing advance cover / timing plate. I haven't been brash enough to actually remove this thing yet (not knowing what lies beneath and all), but I have been having trouble with my timing.
Mick posted up a good youtube link for setting static timing by checking for continuity at the points, while turning the "lobes" (what is the proper term for this part?) by hand.
On inspection, when trying to do this on my '83 XLH, it seems there is actually no position I can place the timing cover in right now to accurately match this method. The lobes are just in the wrong place. I come close if I rotate the timing plate completely counterclockwise until it can't go any further. However, I couldn't get the bike to even start in this position, more or less run. Could my actual timing plate assembly have something wrong with it, I was wondering?
Other problems presently include seeing a wisp of smoke out the carb while idling once in a while (usually accompanied by the engine stumbling off-idle), and (this seems to have gone away since I adjusted the timing back near to where I originally started) backfiring through the carb with a loud CRACK at idle and stalling out, if I open the throttle full. Finally, I can't seem to get the bike to run steady at highway speeds - it hiccups at the carb something fierce if I take it above say, 55, and keep a steady pace.
The highway speeds are what my original problem was. I use the bike for commuting to work ALMOST exclusively now that warmer weather is here, so it's in my best interest to keep it running smoothly.
I plan on ordering a carb rebuild kit for my S&S Super E, and replacing all the seals in the pushrods etc. when I do my headgasket / rockerbox cover gaskets (probably in about a week). Where else can I go with this? I will tear this whole thing apart and rebuild it, torquing down every bolt with my TEETH if I have to, in order to make it run RIGHT.
Thanks as much as ever to any advice offered.
- Al
My latest questions are regarding the timing advance cover / timing plate. I haven't been brash enough to actually remove this thing yet (not knowing what lies beneath and all), but I have been having trouble with my timing.
Mick posted up a good youtube link for setting static timing by checking for continuity at the points, while turning the "lobes" (what is the proper term for this part?) by hand.
On inspection, when trying to do this on my '83 XLH, it seems there is actually no position I can place the timing cover in right now to accurately match this method. The lobes are just in the wrong place. I come close if I rotate the timing plate completely counterclockwise until it can't go any further. However, I couldn't get the bike to even start in this position, more or less run. Could my actual timing plate assembly have something wrong with it, I was wondering?
Other problems presently include seeing a wisp of smoke out the carb while idling once in a while (usually accompanied by the engine stumbling off-idle), and (this seems to have gone away since I adjusted the timing back near to where I originally started) backfiring through the carb with a loud CRACK at idle and stalling out, if I open the throttle full. Finally, I can't seem to get the bike to run steady at highway speeds - it hiccups at the carb something fierce if I take it above say, 55, and keep a steady pace.
The highway speeds are what my original problem was. I use the bike for commuting to work ALMOST exclusively now that warmer weather is here, so it's in my best interest to keep it running smoothly.
I plan on ordering a carb rebuild kit for my S&S Super E, and replacing all the seals in the pushrods etc. when I do my headgasket / rockerbox cover gaskets (probably in about a week). Where else can I go with this? I will tear this whole thing apart and rebuild it, torquing down every bolt with my TEETH if I have to, in order to make it run RIGHT.
Thanks as much as ever to any advice offered.
- Al
Here's a thread on another forum that might help. It sounds like a timing problem. This will help to examine the points/weights/etc setup to see if it is faulty ...
http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/s...d.php?t=317401
http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/s...d.php?t=317401
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Here we go, then! Back from a tiring weekend of good times, and ready to hack at the garage some more. I'll drop an update on this advance unit once I get it apart.
The symptoms from that thread sound very much like what problems I've been having. Any recommendations on brands for a new advance unit if necessary?
- Al
The symptoms from that thread sound very much like what problems I've been having. Any recommendations on brands for a new advance unit if necessary?
- Al
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Pulled out my advance unit, one half looked a bit rusty, and there was some rusty-looking dust in there.
Seem like it MAY be worn in some of the areas listed in that thread. I'm not specifically certain the methods to use for measuring wear - but I do have tools for it. Either way, if this thing is actually the source of the problem, it's amazing how just a little bit of play can make so much difference.
New advance unit and carb kit at my local shop tomorrow, probably. Thanks for the brand recommendations.
- Al
Seem like it MAY be worn in some of the areas listed in that thread. I'm not specifically certain the methods to use for measuring wear - but I do have tools for it. Either way, if this thing is actually the source of the problem, it's amazing how just a little bit of play can make so much difference.
New advance unit and carb kit at my local shop tomorrow, probably. Thanks for the brand recommendations.
- Al
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