Forum

[Frederico]

I have a Bullet 500 2004 kickstart and recently replaced the points. I followed the instructions as per Hitchcock's technical notes about ignition and used the special tool to find TDC and marked 0.8 mm above this etc etc. With the piston in compression mode and just reaching this mark I noticed that the points were already open (while they should just start to open); Loosening the base plate and turning this did not change the point opening which seems to remain the same.

Wonder how to proceed next; I am new at this game so your comments would be appreciated.

[PeteF]

Are you sure you are on compression stroke? Also check you are 0.8 BEFORE TDC

[PeteF]

Oh, and watch the points to see when they DO open. That should give you an idea.

[papasmurf]

In the absence of expensive kit to determine when points start to open cigarette papers are your friend.
Juts place a cigarette paper between the points and very slowly rotate the engine keeping a gentle pulling pressure on the cigarette paper with your fingers. When the cigarette paper pulls out stop rotating the engine. That is about as accurate as you can get.

[ric]

Have you gapped the points correctly after fitting them?

[PeteF]

Just another thought, you haven't gapped them "off" the cam? If so, they'll just open further "on" the cam.

[Frederico]

Hi Guys
Thanks for your replies. I re-checked everything again: bike on elevated center stand, in 4th gear; remove tappet cover; watch inlet pushrod rise; go to other side of bike and slowly move back wheel in right direction until piston at TDP (inserted special tool) - move back a fraction; check points; points already open and adjusting baseplate does not change anything; I wonder: could there be something out in the timing case? When I put new points in I took the unit out to look behind it at the automatic advance/retard unit; I also undid the allen bolt to check play in the distributor shaft; when I fired up first time there was a bit of noise coming out of the timing gear; could I have upset the apple cart here and if so what to do next?

Many thanks to you PeteF,papasmurf and ric.

Frederico

[Steve T]

Hi Frederico have a look at this link it may help. http://www.midlandbullets.co.uk/smf/ind ... pic=9035.0

[Frank]

If the inlet pushrod is rising then surely the inlet valve is opening and therefore you are not on the compression stroke. Both pushrods need to have fallen so that the valves are closed.

[Beezabryan]

All you need to know is here -
http://www.hitchcocksmotorcycles.com/pi ... points.pdf