Timing Marks

Has anyone else had the problem of not seeing the timing marks on the flywheel when using a strobe? I can't see a thing, but I figure I should since at least the bike is running, right?
Any solution to this problem?

Thanks guys.

Are you revving the engine, as you won't see the rotor timing mark at idle because it only comes into view (moving left to right) in the primary case timing window when you rev the engine up and the ignition timing moves to full advance.

As well as LAB good comments, with the engine not running have you looked through the inspection port and turned the engine over with the kickstarter and ensured the marks are there and visible ?

Ya, the scribed marks are definitely there, and well defined at a standstill. I've revved it up to the recommended 5000rpm, but I didn't have the best view as I was sitting on the bike trying to peer into the hole.
Sad truth is that after all these years I don't think I've ever timed any of my bikes with a light before. How do the marks look? Do they appear dark or light? Well defined or a bit blurry? I would assume they'd need to be sharp and well defined or it would be difficult to get accurate timing with those tiny little marks on the indicator. Stupid questions, I feel like newby all over.

Cowboy Don said:

Sad truth is that after all these years I don't think I've ever timed any of my bikes with a light before. How do the marks look? Do they appear dark or light? Well defined or a bit blurry? I would assume they'd need to be sharp and well defined or it would be difficult to get accurate timing with those tiny little marks on the indicator.

Click to expand...

[video]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PUzWm--9Awg[/video]


Are you using that old strobe?
A neon strobe probably won't show the rotor mark as clearly as a Xenon light-especially in daylight and the mark may also get blurred at high RPM? Painting the rotor mark black/white should make it easier to see.

Ya, I used the old strobe. I'm having a drama with the new one I bought, it didn't work, I took it back and they tested it and confirmed it didn't work. They won't give me another or my money back until they've sent it off to head office and then to the manufacturer for testing, which they've already done. Not happy.
But anyway, the old strobe might be the problem, or the fact that I didn't get a clear view while sitting on the bike. I'll get my wife to be throttle lady and check it properly.
I can't get access to that video, it says it's private. Would like to see it if you can give me access.

thanks again LAB

Cowboy Don said:

I can't get access to that video, it says it's private. Would like to see it if you can give me access.

Click to expand...

Sorry! Try it now?

If available, you may need to change the settings on the stroboscope.

Cool, thanks LAB. It looked like there were two dark marks in that clip.

Cowboy Don said:

It looked like there were two dark marks in that clip.

Click to expand...

I think what you are seeing is the timing mark and the shadow produced by the edge of the raised timing pad, in fact, if you pause the video at a certain point then you should see three marks = the timing mark in the centre and both edges of the timing pad?



The camera wasn't quite lined up properly because it was difficult getting both the camera and the strobe pointing straight into the timing hole at the same time (as I was doing it "one-handed") so the timing mark looks off by a degree or so.

Alright, makes sense. I'll stop asking questions at this point and get out to the garage and give it a go, hopefully it will all come together and make sense.

It is a bit easy to confuse the edge of the raised pad for the timing mark. Usually it looks like you have a double line and it can be a bit disconcerting if the marks are bouncing around a bit, which likely they will be. You can help yourself out by getting some white paint (or practically any color but grey) and a fine brush. If you carefully reach thru and paint the raised area to the right of the timing mark, taking care to leave a clean line along the timing mark. Then the strobe will show you a white line about 1/8 inch wide and you time to the left side of it. This is of course easier if you have the primary open. If nothing else steal some of the wife's nail polish.

I can remember waiting for the dark of the new moon, trying to get as much punch out of my old timing light as possible. I good bright inductive light does help quite a lot. I dunno where you bought your light, but I wouldn't be shopping there anymore.

It also helps to have a second person to hold the throttle and hopefully they are strong enough to keep it from walking across the floor. I've been known to get out the trailer straps and to tie mine off!

That's it, I give up.
Bought another inductive Xenon timing light, hooked it up to the car battery, clipped it on the sparkplug wire and pulled the trigger. Still nothing. Revved the Norton up to 5,000, still nothing.
What am I doing wrong guys?

Cowboy Don said:

That's it, I give up.
Bought another inductive Xenon timing light, hooked it up to the car battery, clipped it on the sparkplug wire and pulled the trigger. Still nothing. Revved the Norton up to 5,000, still nothing.
What am I doing wrong guys?

Click to expand...

Battery flat?
Strobe wires connected to the wrong battery terminals (well, you never know!)?
Pickup on the spark plug wire the wrong way (arrow should be pointing to the plug)?

Tried all that, did check the leads. As you said, never know.. Battery is straight out of the car, so is good. Wasn't sure about that arrow on the pickup so tried both ways, tried both plugs as well. I don't want to have to take it to a shop just for this, but I may, I know it won't be expensive at all, just would like to get it done myself.
Argh. Bloody argh.
Will try it tomorrow straight off the car.

Does your car have conventional plugs? Try it on one of those wires...it should flash like crazy for you. Usually you use the number one cylinder for timing but it won't matter for the test of the light.