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Setting Ignition Points Help?

  • Thread starter Thread starter SB3
  • Start date Start date
S

SB3

Guest
Long story short, I tried setting my ignition points today (I thought I knew what I was doing) turned out I didn't.

Can someone help me out and explain to me how to set points properly? I only touched the 1-4 side and it is now closing at 2-3 F. I've tried messing around with it and I've gotten no where.

Any help is appreciated. Thanks!
 
But where are they breaking ? If they break at the right place and the gap is close to correct, it'll run.
Past that, if you want to get really into it, check the dwell figure against the specs.
 
Greg T, while I admire the breadth of your knowledge, do you really think an owner who works on his bike without a manual even knows what dwell is?

SB3, you've been here?

https://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?196338-New-Members-CLICK-HERE!!

Read all of the links, especially the one to the Basscliff site. Bookmark it, and then download the factory service manual for your bike

Then, if you don't know how old your points and condensors are, replace them. Better yet, replace them with a Dyna S and forget about points forever
 
Big T said:
Greg T, while I admire the breadth of your knowledge, do you really think an owner who works on his bike without a manual even knows what dwell is?

SB3, you've been here?

https://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?196338-New-Members-CLICK-HERE!!

Read all of the links, especially the one to the Basscliff site. Bookmark it, and then download the factory service manual for your bike

Then, if you don't know how old your points and condensors are, replace them. Better yet, replace them with a Dyna S and forget about points forever
Click to expand...

I agree completely with the recommendation of a Dyna S. And amusingly, while I have had the equipment to measure dwell on a running motor sitting here for years, I've never used it. Never needed to.
 
Big T said:
Greg T, while I admire the breadth of your knowledge, do you really think an owner who works on his bike without a manual even knows what dwell is?

SB3, you've been here?

https://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?196338-New-Members-CLICK-HERE!!

Read all of the links, especially the one to the Basscliff site. Bookmark it, and then download the factory service manual for your bike

Then, if you don't know how old your points and condensors are, replace them. Better yet, replace them with a Dyna S and forget about points forever
Click to expand...

Greg,

Thanks for the info, I bought the bike with a brand new set of points and condensers and I really don't have the funds to get a Dyna S right now... so I'm trying to work with what I got here lol
 
It's always a mistake to ask a valid question in forums. He wasn't asking about a dyna s, he was asking how to set points. And a dwell meter to solve a gap problem is absurd, when the guy merely wants the step by step tutorial! Years ago when I first joined the forums the answers were more direct, less critical. Clearly the old crew is either gone, or crankier than ever! I just revisited BassCliff's site, myself, and downloaded (again) the manual, and again found myself utterly unimpressed with the instructions on setting the points. It begins (ahem) step 1: set gap to .3 (or whatever, it's not in front of me atm). Full stop. No reference as to which set of cylinders to rotate to where...I came here to ask for clarification, or a simple step by step...(ie: step 1, remove cover; step 2, remove plugs; step 3, rotate engine to...???; step 4, set gaps for 1-4 to .3; etc. Instead all I got was this thread! LOL, I'll keep looking, or hope for an actual response to this question. Of course I'll just get a bunch of buy this electronic iognition and be done with it....OK, but read the question, smart guys, and help your brothers out!
 
SB3 said:
Greg,

Thanks for the info, I bought the bike with a brand new set of points and condensers and I really don't have the funds to get a Dyna S right now... so I'm trying to work with what I got here lol
Click to expand...

Have you followed the procedure, and solved your issue?
 
Let's start by explaining how points work... The plugs fire when the points open, not when they close. That's why GregT keeps asking when they break and suggesting when they close is irrelevant.

Remove the ignition cover and follow the instructions on page 69 on the manual.

As for the Dyna S recommendations, I know an electronic ignition is better, but I replaced my points and set them when I got the bike. I haven't touched them since so I don't see points as being a big hassle.
 
Last edited:
hannibal said:
Let's start by explaining how points work... The plugs fire when the points open, not when they close. That's why GregT keeps asking when they break and suggesting when they close is irrelevant.

Remove the ignition cover and follow the instructions on page 69 on the manual.

As for the Dyna S recommendations, I know an electronic ignition is better, but I replaced my points and set them when I got the bike. I have touched them since so I don't see points as being a big hassle.
Click to expand...

??? From everything I've collected I thought that when the points are in contact at the F mark that orders the spark plugs to spark?... So should the points be open at the F mark? I am officially confused now.
 
The points start opening at F.

If you're using a static light, it should start to glow at F
 
Last edited:
I've been using a static light but I guess I've been using it wrong. But when I turn my ignition on to test them I get a spark on my points on 1-4 F and 2-3 F. So is this wrong?
 
Big T said:
The points start opening at F.

If you're using a static light, it should start to glow at F
Click to expand...

I've been using a static light but I guess I've been using it wrong. But when I turn my ignition on to test them I get a spark on my points on 1-4 F and 2-3 F. So is this wrong?
 
fastbysuzuki said:
Well bigvoxjammer I tried to help as he has duplicated his question here https://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?255785-Setting-Points-Help
it appears that he has not looked at that thread and continued with the other.
Click to expand...

Trust me, I've looked at every thread imaginable and this subject is still clear as mud to me lol. I think I have it figured out but still waiting on one more shim to come in to officially test it. Will update when I have everything buttoned up.
 
Big T said:
Have you followed the procedure, and solved your issue?
Click to expand...

I think so but not a 100% sure yet, still waiting on one more shim to come in and I'll button everything up and test it. I will update whenever that happens. Thanks!
 
Be sure to verify the timing and advance with a timing light once it's running
 
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