SOHC.co.uk Forums > CB350/400
DOH! Ignition point system memory failure
Mikep328:
Along with some wiring clean-up I'm doing, I had decided to remove the E-ignition and reinstall the OEM points ignition. Yeah, I know, sounds stupid but that's a different discussion...;)
I was installing the OEM points system back in the bike after cleaning/lubing the advance mechanism. I got everything all set up/static timed but couldn't get it to start - an occasional backfire. Fooled around a bit, racking the points plate back/forth to see if that would make any difference but no help. I pulled a couple of plugs and, with them connected/sitting on the head, there was a good blue/white spark. I was getting annoyed/frustrated and I learned long ago that when that happens, to STOP!
So I walked back home (1/2 mil from garage) figuring I'd look at it again tomorrow. I was drinking a G&T when I literally slapped my palm against my forehead...JEEZ!!!
I had completely forgotten that although the advance unit can only mount in one position, the points cam can mount in either the correct position or 180 out. When I had removed the points cam to clean/lube I didn't pay attention to ensuring I put it back as it was. I didn't have the energy to walk back to the bike, especially after the 2nd G&T but I'm quite confident that reversing the position of the points cam tomorrow will resolve the issue.
McCabe-Thiele (Ted):
Unless you dismantled the advancer unit it only fits one way as there is a locating peg. IIRC the blue wire should be on the points on your left for 1/4. The yellow on the right for coils 2/3.
Convention is to have the left coil as blue for 1/4, so yellow would be the right coil 2/3.
Easy done I had my plug leads wrongly connected in my 400 so it ran almost for 100 miles on two cylinders with lots of poping & banging!
Reading your post in detail sounds like you must have taken the springs off - in that case you are right.
I have since cleaned my base plate and removed the Hex screws for JIS ones. Ken advised me it's too easy to strip a thread in the base plate with the Hex heads.
.500 ponts plate by Macabe Thiele, on Flickr
K2-K6:
If you've put the points cam in 180 out, then you'll not be the first, or last to do that. Easily done.
Easy to check too, just swap the two wires from coils to points over with each other to functionally check that error, if it starts like that it will confirm the error, showing you need to dismantle and swap the cam and wires back over to make it std setup.
Mikep328:
"I have since cleaned my base plate and removed the Hex screws for JIS ones"
I removed all the previous owner-installed hex head screws (literally every fitting on the engine) last year, replacing them with the JIS OEM type screws.
Thanks for the quick-check tip K2, I'll make that check first thing tommorow!
Johnny4428:
Nothing like a G & T to clear the head Mike! 😂
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