Hitchcocks Forum

Hi folks, I wrote a few months ago about problems I was having with the ignition on my little Enfield & a few of you contacted me with suggestions none of which unfortunately resolved the problem. In the end I have managed to get the bike to run, although very poorly with the main problem being that if I have the ignition advanced to where it should be (5/16" BTDC) I loose all of the spark as the coils are then in the wrong position for the magnets in the flywheel. If I retard it some 116" it regains its spark & if I go another 1/16" the spark improves considerably with much easier starting. Unfortunately with either of these timing settings the bike runs poorly with a lot of spitting back & absolutely no power. It will barely pull me away from a standstill even on flat ground. Altering the needle position to its weakest improves matters a small amount but not enough to make the bike ride able. Both needle & main jet are as stipulated.
It would appear that the flywheel is in the wrong position in regard to top dead centre but as it is on a keyway I don't see how it can be unless of course I have a miss match of components.
In addition to this work I would add that I have rebored the barrel & fitted new piston & rings just in case a lack of compression was the problem but this hasn't made a scrap of difference.
Is there anyone out there that can offer any advise on this type of Miller ignition & or solving the problem regarding the lack of power please. Its a shame because the bike is ready to be ridden after its renovation & I would like to have a tootal around the lanes before winter sets in.

Hi,I'm not too familiar with Miller flywheel mags but understand that if the points cam follower or heel is worn it can put the magnet out of sync with the points opening when timed correctly. I don't know if you have or can get a new set of points but it might be worth trying. All the best.

Hi Jarvo,as fare as I can remember you set stator plate in centre of slots,put piston at 5/16 btdc screw a bolt into centre of cam and pull it of,turn cam until points are just breaking and relock cam in position.

Hope this helps,

YORKIE

Jarvo, I gave up on mine a few months ago for much the same reason and I intend to split the cases and look at seals to see if anything is amiss in there . From what I remember you set the rotor to a certain measurement from the edge of the top coil this gives you max charge point, then you set the points to fire in that position