Hitchcocks Forum

60s Connie. Just when I think I got it sorted another problem arrises. Running reconditioned mag. Great spark on both sides.lots of compression. Good fuel. Set points gap to 0.12. Bang on 3/8 before tdc fully advance position . Points just opening with the fag paper trick.180 degrees tried on the leads.new plugs ,old plugs . Fifth time of trying . Won't start. Tries to just after lots of kick backs. Running low of hair .

On the compression stroke with both valves closed.also tried 7/16. Need some help many thanks .

Finally got the bike to run. Seems like now I have to start it fully advanced on the lever. As it has manual advanced retard. When idling I bring the lever half way retard and slows down the engine. Full retard and engine cuts out. Know that Idealy should be starting in retard. Each time I make sure that when tightening the gear timing doesn't slip. Bit of a weird one

Remove the primary outer case, carefully add timing marks to your alternator and check the timing with a strobe.

From memory,and this goes back 40 years you have to mark off the full advance setting on the lever with
paint mark,same for retard.The range that the lever gives is actually twice the requied or correct range
so yes they will cutout eventually.Fag paper?a globe is more accurate..012" isn't 14 thou correct?

If it kicks back it's too advanced. Are you sure you are bang on 3/8 before tdc?

Hi Calv, The magneto's sparks will be at their strongest at full advance. I rarely try to start a manual advance engine any more than halfway retarded and usually have them fully advanced. Might be worth a try for you? Regards, Paul.

If its a manual advance is it a slack or tight wire? It could be you are setting full advance at full retard position?

Have just put the thorspark electronic ignition on . Fisrt kick full retard and it starts and runs. Fully reconditioned mag!!! Hmmmm...

I put a Thorspark in my SR1 as a temporary measure and it totally transformed it. The magneto coil had been rewound and it was working, but the bike would cut out in traffic and not start for half an hour, or it would not start at all some days then start first kick for a while. All sorts of mysterious things would happen and it got where I was anxious on every ride out. After fitting the Thorspark it started first kick hot or cold in any situation, even with a crowd of onlookers! To be honest I doubt I'll go back to the mag now even though I liked how it was separate from the lights and battery.