Uh oh - 180 degrees off?

[GG]

Hello friends - I'm beginning to be embarrassed! I thought I was a better mechanic. :-( Superhawk 305. Fought with the cam chain to move it one tooth, put everything back together, huge difference, lots of power, but idles rough. Put the light on the points, and they are backwards. :-( :-( Will the motor run 180 degrees off???? Sigh. I'm going to give up.

a frustrated GG

[Tim Allman]

I did that once. :-(

It was a long time ago and about all that I remember is that the bike ran but the points plate had to be rotated a lot making it hard to set the timing. The timing is critical on these engines. If it is too advanced the spark plugs overheat and there is a chance of melting a hole in a piston.

Given the possibilities, I would reinstall the camshaft.

[GG]

Ok Tim - I haven't had time to look more closely at what is happening. Grrr. I'll post what I find. Getting too old to sit on the ground next to the bike, and no bike lift. :-( GG

[GG]

Relief! Motor was NOT 180 degrees off. When I moved the cam chain one tooth, the timing ended up very far advanced. Made the adjustment to the points / plate. Now the plate is right in the middle where it should be. Interestingly, I was still getting a lot of "popping" and backfiring at low rpm's with the timing perfect. On a hunch, I moved the carb main jet needle up two notches. Smoothed everything out completely. Bike now starts instantaneously, idles perfectly, and pulls very well. I'm SO relieved! I'm surprised at what a notch or two on the needle affects low rpm's also. Very picky, these carbs - but good to know that everything is adjustable!

Take care, have a good year's end and a happy New Year 2023!

GG

[oldbikedude]

Nice work. Glad all is well. Happy New Year