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[Howzie]

Hello all,
Just getting my 59 Clipper ready for the start of the season, oil & filter changed, all cables & chain lubricated, gearbox topped up, Clutch adjusted plus operating rod greased, battery checked over, brakes adjusted, tappets reset, etc etc, last job was to fit new points, so off with contact plate assembly with advance unit, cleaned up & lightly oiled the advanced unit,
fitted contact plate with new points, set the cam to just open points at 5 degrees B.T.D.C.& tapped it back onto it's spindle, job I've done many times over & that's when the brain went dead & I started talking to the fairies! No matter how many times I tried to kick the bloody thing over not a hells chance was it going to bloody start, now then all you clever lads what's' the chance somebody will explain to this 70 year old step by step where I'm going wrong (spark & petrol ok)& yes went through the manual till I'm blue in the face.
Cheers,
Howzie.

[Exile]

I'll bet you forgot something simple but vital.. strip it off and reassemble.. 10-1 odds, you'll find it.

[Alan R]

Hi guys------ I know this will sound like the B**** obvious but lets apply a little logic to this. ??.......... Assuming all WAS running well before then it's either something you HAVE done, or something you HAVEN'T done ... and in that order as well..OK, if you have done everything correctly then I notice you haven't mentioned setting the points gap ??....It's a common fallacy that you " just change the points, mate !"... but you MUST re-set the timing AND re-set the gap.....TIP}---- The capacitor will age-deteriorate so it's a good idea to change that at the same time....Small cost, BIG effect !!

[Alan R]

----------and if your fuel has been in the tank over winter then drain and check for water contamination ( It's our old friend E5 ("F and ol") that absorbs moisture etc....)........RE-fill with fresh...A few years back I took a small cup-full out of my No1 Bullet's tank, and at about this time of the year as well....

[Howzie]

Thanks Alan R & Exile,
Should have mentioned new capacitor fitted with the points, where I think I might be going wrong is this, setting the points gap to just open at 5 degrees B.T.D.C. & when checking the points gap at T.D.C. its to small, so set gap for 16thou at T.D.C. & it puts the point out of position for the 5 degrees !!

Howzie

[Alan R]

Hello again HOWZIE-----OK, YES you do set the IGNITION TIMING at the given figure (5 degrees before TDC on the compression stroke)with the points JUST opening, but you set the POINTS GAP by rotating the cam until the heel of the points is on the highest part of the cam...Slacken the fixed point clamping screw(s) and adjust it towards (or away from) the moving point until you have the required gap....Tighten the clamping screw(s)...rotate the engine a few times and re-check the gap.......When you fitted the new set of points did you de-grease them ??......Sometimes they can have a thin layer of preserving oil or wax on them..............Incidentally, from an Electrical "point" of view the capacitor doesn't HAVE to be physically attached within the points housing....So long as its' lead is joined to the Black/White cable that originates at the H/T coil AND is earthed then it will function quite hapilly..Makes checking and changing a capacitor a piece of cake !!

[Alan R]

---------- sorry, forgot to say}---Ignore TDC and just set the heel on the top of the cam lobe.....

[Howzie]

Hello Alan R & Exile,

Went back over the strip down & found that I had removed the plate assembly that the advanced unit fits on, why I do not know because that should have remained put! will blame a senior moment for that one. Bike has fired up & a pal is coming round after work so we can strobe the timing, tried by myself but went t**s up trying to hold a strobe light & slacken the contact plate & move it trying to keep everything steady.
Thanks lads for your advice.
Cheers,
Howzie.

[Exile]

There you go..! I knew I should have put money on those 10-1 odds...


Glad it's all turned out OK.

[Howzie]

Exile,
Next time you get a hunch on a 10-1 shot let me know.
Cheers,
Howzie.