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Strobing the ignition

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My coil ignition 99 has been running a bit off for sometime , I have swapped carbs a few times with no improvement so am now going through the ignition system , to see exactly what is happening I am going to strobe it . It is fitted with an uprated alternator which has its output cables exiting  from the front making it impossible to fit a degree disc . I will be marking up the stator with a scale and the rotor with a tdc mark . Has anyone come up with a simple good way to mark up the stator? 

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Google 'printable degree wheel'   Brings up loads of them. There is one on the accessnorton forum. Reduce it to the size required, cut out and glue to the stator. Make permanent markings (scratch some degree lines into the potting compound) if required.    .  

Thanks Peter,   Sadly my computer is US ,infected with a Trojan ! . Even when working it refuses to talk to my printer (thanks to a common microsoft glitch ) . It's down to an old school compass and a bit of origami.   Interestingly my rough checks show the static timing to be retarded 5 degrees at least , quite the opposite to what I expected . A strobe should show what's wrong, suspect the 18d2 advance unit worn or chain slack . 

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It will be scribed with a scapel and white painted . And a port cut into the outer case for future use . Looks like I have to make a disc the hard way . Wouldn't it be nice if the stators came with markings already. 

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to remove the stator whilst you carry out the strobe check with a degree disc on the rotor and a fixed pointer, and refit it afterwards?

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Hi Michael, could do , but the stator had to be shimmed to fit the 1/4 studs ( holes are now bigger ) and the cable exit re sealed , and I want the stator to be permanently marked for future tuning so a bit pointless ,easier  to stick a paper disc on the rotor and transfer marks ,TDC, retarded , and full advance to stator . Should also show up any variation on cylinders from 18d2 . And if a smooth action through the range . Strangely the bike is quick but fussy , all will be revealed . 

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There should NOT be any variation between cylinders on the 18D2 unless the dizzy shaft is bent and or the adv/retard is very seriously worn. I supply a conversion to Boyer Bransden ignition for the 18D2 so there cannot be any deviation between the cylinders.

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Found the cause of the issues. the 18d2 has too much axial play allowing the rotor arm to impact the cap segments .. Will be shimmed back to fit.

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If you convert to electronic then the rotor arm wear will no longer be an issue as the rotor arm will no longer be needed. ie you fire both coils-wasted spark.

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Hi Alan,  something about the wasted spark offends my sensibilities, dont like waste !  Also the fact that one plug works backwards . The Atlas has this and persists in wearing out one plug . a coincidence ??.

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Still not clear how the timing got so far out .  Rotor clouting the cap turned the body ? Was clamped up tight . A mystery , how did it still perform so well?. A clue that all was not well was it never kicked back and started with a half hearted kick. Should burn rubber when right.And bite me!.

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Wasted spark does not mean one plug fires backwards, this would only be true if you are using a single double ended coil. If you are using a pair of coils on series, then they will both be right (or wrong).
 

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Hi Tony. ,on advice we purchased a double ended coil.  Probably go back to twins.Trying to fiddle on a new chain,without much luck, thinks its all going to come off.Dissy had about 1/8"of an inch end float ,  Pattern (not orriginal!) dissy caps are less forgiving ,made differently inside. 

 



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