Hitchcocks Forum

Hi Folks

Just putting my 1960 Super Meteor back together and I am unsure how to set the ignition timing. I have had the distributor off for a rebuild by the Distributor Doctor (Loverly job, thanks Martin) and am now at the stage of timing it up.

This is what I think I know. The points should be just opening when the left hand cylinder is at 3/8" before TDC. What I don`t know is when refitting the timing chain does it matter what position the drive cog is at?

Not done this before so any advice?

Hi Ivor, you want the points just opening with the auto advance fully advanced for 3/8" BTDC, both pistons should be there together, by the way. If you set the timing like that with the auto advance relaxed, your timing will be very much over advanced and brutal kickbacks will result!

Paul, only asking out of curiosity....

I’ve worked on many engines over the last forty five years or so. Mainly car engines with distributors but some totally electronic ignition systems and years ago my sole transport was a magneto equipped BSA twin.

I can understand the need to avoid detonation due to over advanced ignition but I can’t recall coming across a situation where points ignition timing is set at the fully advanced position. How is that physically arranged? Or, are these engines fitted with a magneto with manual advance/retard?

Thanks “in advance”...

Hi wheaters, there are probably figures for static timing - probably points opening at TDC, but 3/8" BTDC will definitely be a figure for fully advanced timing, where, if manual advance is not a feature, the ATU mechanism would have to be jammed into the fully advanced position for setting the timing, possibly by temporarily fitting a suitably sized washer between the end of the cam and any fixing bolt, or by wedging something into the spring loaded bob weights, to hold them open while setting the timing.

I seem to remember that this website has a tool for this fully advanced timing position:

https://accessories.hitchcocksmotorcycl ... ngine/9618

Thanks for the replies. As they would say round these parts, “Saarnds a reet faff!”

Having said that, I spent a lot of time physically modifying Lucas distributor advance mechanisms so my tuned engine gave its best. That was even more of a faff!

Hello to all

Thanks for the reply Paul. I forgot about the fully advanced bit. I hope to get this bike finished and running for the spring so maybe a trip to Wales is in order, once we are allowed of course.

Happy New Year to you and wheaters & Presto.

Thanks

Presto wrote:I seem to remember that this website has a tool for this fully advanced timing position:

https://accessories.hitchcocksmotorcycl ... ngine/9618

This is only for Indian Bullets, the late 50s/early 60s Lucas distributors are a different bit of kit.

A.

The super meteor manual gives ignition as follows for distributor and magneto:-
Points gap, 0.015 in
Timing retarded, 1/32 in
Timing advanced 3/8 in - 7/16 in
You'll need the retarded figure to check the static timing without removing the timing cover.
Once running I'd recommend timing with a strobe.