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My 84 FXST has points and I have little knowledge of getting them right. I am looking at possibly replacing them with Dyna S ignition and have questions about the advance mechanism. I have read to keep an eye on them, lubricate once in a while. If they need to be replaced what brand/part number would I need? Are the springs the only serviceable part and again which ones?
Another question. Are points better for kickstarting or would the Dyna-S work just as well?
The Advance mechanisms have pins that need lubed as well as the holes that they pivot on. The springs are easily replaced but most of the cheaper (China) units will wear out long before the springs need replacing. The higher priced Advance assemblies that are Made in USA and have bearings are worth the money; they last and they run very well.
I prefer points on kick start bikes but that is me. I had a Ultima ignition in my Shovelhead and it was VERY sensitive. It was hard to bring a cylinder up to compression as that Ultima Ignition was hottt! It was pre-programmed for Kick. It may have been nicer if it was a "one revolution" model, if they can even program for that.
I run points and they work good for kicking. If you lube the advancer with some light oil once a year or at tune-up time they last a long time. American Prime Mfg. sells a nice andvancer that's made in the USA. To make timing easier I drilled a hole in my points plate so I can advance the flyweights with a pick tool to set the timing with the engine static using the 35 deg flywheel mark. https://americanprimemfginc.com/prod...kit-1104-0003/
Last edited by 84 Shovel; Feb 11, 2023 at 11:21 AM.
The Advance mechanisms have pins that need lubed as well as the holes that they pivot on. The springs are easily replaced but most of the cheaper (China) units will wear out long before the springs need replacing. The higher priced Advance assemblies that are Made in USA and have bearings are worth the money; they last and they run very well.
I prefer points on kick start bikes but that is me. I had a Ultima ignition in my Shovelhead and it was VERY sensitive. It was hard to bring a cylinder up to compression as that Ultima Ignition was hottt! It was pre-programmed for Kick. It may have been nicer if it was a "one revolution" model, if they can even program for that.
so being hard to bring up to compression is what will give you the kick back?
when looking for advance units should I just look for parts that fit like a 78 FXE ? Are they multi fit?
I run points and they work good for kicking. If you lube the advancer with some light oil once a year or at tune-up time they last a long time. American Prime Mfg. sells a nice andvancer that's made in the USA. To make timing easier I drilled a hole in my points plate so I can advance the flyweights with a pick tool to set the timing with the engine static using the 35 deg flywheel mark. https://americanprimemfginc.com/prod...kit-1104-0003/
im looking at your picture but cant tell if that wiper just rides on the cam or if it is under the arm of the points. Dont know if its my phone or my eyes lol.
im looking at your picture but cant tell if that wiper just rides on the cam or if it is under the arm of the points. Dont know if its my phone or my eyes lol.
The wick is on the points cam, I put a drop of oil on it. I use Blue Streak points for a 60s- early 70s Chevy 6 cylinder, they come with the wiper/wick. I can provide the p/n lateral if needed as Im at work.
One other over looked item with advance units are the cam lobe that comes with some. Some of the import stuff is way out of spec, like the gap setting between the big and small lobe. I've seen some you set at .018 on the small end and it'll jump to .060" on the fat side. You'll pull you hair out chasing all kinds other things thinking you have the points right and don't. This size of the lobe affects thing too, factory has sharp small ramp, the aftermarket stuff using isn't ground as precise and changes the timing dwell a bit, can make a kick only bike a pain to deal with sometimes.
In this picture, the unit on the left is aftermarket, on the right is factory. See the extra meat on the ramp on the left? And that one was one the way out on the 180 side, bigger gap.
Done this stuff a bit. I keep some rebuilt cheap unit's handy for the usual broke *** or too cheap buddy who always comes begging for freebies.
so being hard to bring up to compression is what will give you the kick back?
when looking for advance units should I just look for parts that fit like a 78 FXE ? Are they multi fit?
It is super sensitive. Sometimes, actually many times, as soon as you put your foot on the kicker to position it on compression, it would fire. Then it would be a chore to get the fuel mixture back into the manifold to try again. Yes it would occasionally kick back violently in the process. Points will let you wind the kicker up a few times without firing until you give it a real kick. That was my experience with Ultima electronic ignition in a 1984 Shovelhead. The bike was properly timed.
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points, ignition questions
