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timing ES2

Submitted by colin_denley on Thu, 30/09/2021
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My 1948 ES2 won't tick over with the ignition fully advanced.

If I retard the ignition on the lever just slightly then it's fine. It runs ok with the ignition in the advanced position (ie no pinking) but I have to keep blimping the throttle at traffic lights etc.

Background; I've recently had the magdyno off so have re-timed the engine on refit.

So should I live with this or do the timing again?

Submitted by dan_field on Thu, 30/09/2021

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Mine usually ticks over faster with the timing advanced, as I retard it it slows down? Did you check the timing with a strobe and degree wheel? The mag can move as you tighten up the sprocket nut.

dan 

 Dan thanks for your reply.

When I first got the bike 18 months ago I stripped it right down to have new main and big end bearings fitted. On re-assembly I set the timing very carefully using a degree disc. Once I was happy that the timing was as close as I could get it, I made a "positive stop" from an old spark plug body and some 10mm threaded bar. This is what I used to set the timing this time so in theory it should be pretty close!!

Submitted by robert_tuck on Fri, 01/10/2021

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Due to the effect of age and different fuels  it would be helpfull to be able to make easy fine adjustments to  find the "sweet spot",   I would mark the advance /retard lever with a couple of dots of nail varnish or similar  to line up when the ideal timing positions for an easy start and responsive running are found . This helped enormously with the Rudge that wanted to break legs if a bit too much advance was used and refused to spark at all if a little too much retard was selected. (time for a mag re-build). On coil ignition  with points I find a thou or 2 change  of the points gap can make easily reversable changes to the timing   that  can soften the kickback or  bring back that snap response to the throttle that used to be there.

Submitted by richard_cornish on Fri, 01/10/2021

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Hi Colin,

   Just as a quick fix, you could adjust and tighten up the advance/retard cable to give you a quick tick-over in the full advance position. It will be best to re-time it when covenient and it will probably only need a couple of degrees. Different fuels burn at different speeds so this could be the reason it is a little too advanced.

Submitted by don_anson on Sat, 02/10/2021

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I agree with Dan Field, mine idles faster on full advance.

I have been on a mission to stop mine eating plugs and one if not the most effective thing I did was replace the insulator gasket  the drive side of the mag. The bike will now idle full advance or full retarded until the cows come home!

It is something you could do at home if you weren't going to replace the bearing as getting the internal race off the armature needs a special puller. (I must say I drilled 2 small holes in the mag bearing housing to allow me to punch out the outer race)

The other thing I can recommend is buying the vernier adjustment mag drive sprocket.  It is quite expensive but really worth it.

Don Anson Melbourne 

 


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