saw someone post this on another forum, thought i'd share it with some of you who hate trying to time your bikes with that clear plastic plug that you can't see through.

Yesterday, 06:40 PM
doc68
Forum Chaplain
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Texas
Posts: 3,377





I put the advance mark in the middle of the window and then mark the alternator rotor and the inner primary with a paint stick and a line. now you can see to time it with a timing light. rev the engine until it quits advancing and set it. if it pings, retard slightly which would be rotating the timer plate counterclockwise.
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Doc

 

Chaplin, could you resend the photo? Sounds simple to me.
Thanks
snoeman

 

actually, I never had the photo and don't know what it was. I just liked the idea and figured i'd pass it on, because I can't stand using the clear plastic plug.

 

I've always done it naked, get a face full of oil. Sometimes, you can use the nose of the timing light to catch the spray. Still, you're a greasy Harley guy when your done.

andygears

 

I haven't had any luck with being able to see through the plug, so I usually put a pair of safety glasses on to keep the oil mist out of my eyes, but I just may have to try this to avoid the mess.

 

Not a bad tip. You still get some spray from the primary but no where near what you get from the timing hole. I static time mine, then every blue moon use the light to double check. I just wrap plastic over the timing light and wear safety glasses. If you remove the plug after you start it all you get is a mist and not a squirt of oil if you start it with it removed.