Hitchcocks Forum

Hi all
I am having ignition timing issues with an Electra x AVL lean burn engine. It is sparking/firing far to early, it appears to be so far advanced that it backfires through the carb (like a shot gun) long before the inlet valve has closed! really trying not to destroy the starter clutch.
Any pointers as to what is going on would be very much appreciated. Thank you all.

The timing is not adjustable on an electra x, unless you change the woodruff key on the crank. Have you had the primary chain case off and possibly moved the ignition pick up or has it come loose? Another possibility though unlikely, is has the nut on the end of the crank come loose answer is allowing the alternator flywheel to move. I didn't tighten mine enough when I rebuilt it and it caused a miss fire.

Thanks Dave. Anything is possible with this! I bought it as a bit of a "Basket case" to learn on mainly, I know that it has had some "modifications" done to it in a previous life, such as a 535 conversion and cams and the electronic box thingy whatsit. possibly oil pump mod as well, so to be honest it could very well be anything but I was just wondering if there was any inherent issues with these before I start taking it apart to see just how many teeth out the cam gears are??? etc; etc;. Almost blew my ear drums out earlier!! whole building reverberated for quite some time.

Hi there.

I had almost identical problems with my Electra X a couple of years ago. Convinced myself it was way too advanced, nearly broke my ankle trying to kick-start etc... Long story short, in my case it was a faulty ignition coil which delighted in sparking when it wanted to, rather than when the ignition pickup told it to. Tried several different woodruff keys before I took the coil off and checked it with the multimeter. New coil fixed it immediately. I would suggest you try the same; it's not expensive and is a damn sight easier than multiple woodruff key changes!

Good luck, and keep us informed!

Stephen

Do you have the 'green' ignition box?




I have not confirmed the following, but it used to be widely reported that a poorly charged battery effected ignition timing; advanced...?


Still with the original CV carb?


check than the rubber carb mount is not distorted/over tightened?


Over advanced timing will kick-back through the Kstart (and Kill the sprag brg)


If you have an AMAl carb fitted, generous flooding suppress inclination of 'explosive spitting' (Slow burn) back on the following stroke. Extreme cases of which will blow the original carb out of its rubber mount.




What year is your motor? post 2006 the crankcase deck height was raised .75mm to lower compression and reduce the 'kick/Spit' back potential...


IF you have higher compression than std, (535 etc) then the ign timing should have been amended (retarded 4 degrees or so) via the fitting of an Off-set key for the alternator rotor: you need to check and confirm...

Hi again all.
Thank you for your advise and suggestions, it`s very much appreciated.
I have been very busy checking all the mechanicals, valve timing, rotor position, etc; All seems to be correct. However, I have found that the original owner has also been very busy with the wiring!!! It has a non standard TCI unit which has resulted in the wiring being "modified" (chopped off) to facilitate different connector plugs to fit the non standard unit!..The "non standard" unit is no longer available so I cannot buy another to replace it!!. I have the original TCI unit in a box of parts that came with it so I really would like to be able to fit the standard unit back again, at least I can get replacements. I could do with someone telling me which wires go where on the original unit corresponding with the wiring harness. Please if anyone can help with this I would really appreciate it. Thank you all.

As Timnz says. I had some problems with my electra x spitting back when starting either on the starter or the kick-start. I fitted a motobatt battery and the spitting back stopped, even when switching it off (I dont have a decomp on mine)

Hi Dave. Thanks for the reply.
It may come down to changing every component one by one if I cannot figure out this wiring. I would prefer to do it by understanding it and how it works rather than blindly replacing parts. To be honest I can`t really see how it could be the battery? It`s a good make and almost new with a full charge.
Really could do with a decent wiring diagram.

LRS1 as several people on the forum have found out just because a battery is nearly new does not mean it isn't a dud.
I have had several over the years to the point the mechanic who services my wife and I motorcycles no longer stocks a certain well known make of battery.

Thanks for the reply.
I have made a note of the battery issue.
The previous two owners gave up on this bike and both replaced the battery. The wiring has been chopped about and I will return it back to stock sooner or later. I will eventually understand the cobweb commonly known as the wiring loom when I get a diagram that make some sense.
As a last resort I will build my own but until then I will work with what I have.

Wiring Diagram anyone?