79 GS850 replaced points issue

[Tim]

I replaced the points using Clymer repair book. When adjusting the half plate for Cylinders 2&3 I couldn't get the contact points to even touch ?!?! 1&4 seem to be ok. Here's what i did...........Turned crank so the F1&4 line up with timing mark, adjusting timing plate so that the points were just opening. Turned crank till F2&3 lined up, no matter how I moved the half plate contacts wouldn't touch. Thought i would give it a try, I started her up and she ran real slow. Put timing light on cylinder 4 wire and then find tuned timing. Put timing light on 2 and even 3 and the timing light wouldn't even blink at all. When I set the gaps I used .303 feeler gauge. Any suggestions ???

[Guest]

I had that happen on a Honda once and it turned out I had the wrong points. Compare them to the old ones.
You know the right points adjust seperatedly from the left, right?

[Tim]

Thanks for your reply Chef. The points looked the same. And yes I realize the left (1&4) and right (2&3) points are adjusted separtely. The package the points came in says fits GS850-'79. Maybe I need to buy new points.

[SqDancerLynn1]

You should have 12 v on either set of points when they are open. Make sure you didn't cause a short when you hooked up the condenser to the fibre washers. Their is a left & right point set If they are mounted correctly they should adjust
Check & make sure the rubbing block on the points is not broken

[Tim]

I put the old condenser (for cyclinder 2&3) back on and got the bike to fire on all four. With the timing light on I had to rotate the half plate for 2&3 all the way counter clockwise and the timing was still a little advanced. 1&4 are exactly right on even when I checked over 2500 Rpm's. 2&3 over 2500 are also right on. So I'm counting my losses with the idle being a little off for 2&3. Funny thing is just as an experiment I put the new condenser back on and it ran the same. Not sure if the condenser was just not connecting very good. Who know's. I believe I'm done with this task. Next is the Boots and O'rings between the carbs and heads. Thanks everyone.

[SqDancerLynn1]

You can short the condenser if not hooked up to the points correcty
You might recheck the point gap, it can change the timing

[Tim]

Good advice Sqdancer, I'll recheck the gaps tonight. Thanks you've been a lot of help.

[Tim]

I re-gapped the points from .303 to .35 and re-did the timing. The timing is perfect now !!! WaaaaHooo !!! Thanks guys