Points wiring question 550 K2

[Mike_Berkshire]

I have the wiring harness back on the bike after repair and with the exception of a short somewhere in the idiot light console all seems good. I’m hoping to try and get the bike running at the weekend. I have set the points gaps and I’m now trying to do the static timing. 

I have noticed that the wires to the points seem to be the wrong way round on each contact breaker. Ie the blue and green wires are both attached to the correct contact breaker (1/4)  but the green is nearest the little nut as opposed to the blue (see picture). Does this matter?

Using a static timing light the timing for cylinders 1/4 seems spot on but there doesn’t seem to be enough adjustment in the sub-plate for cylinders 2/3 to get the light on with the marks lined up for 2/3. You can see from the photo that the base plate is rotated as far as it will go anti clockwise (the mounting screw at 7 o’clock is against the stop in the elongated slot). Is there something basic I have done wrong?

[Bryanj]

It dont matter a stuff which way round the wires go, as to timing when you alter the point gap you alter the timing and when you move the plate the gap alters, it takes a lot of time, patience and practice to get both the gap(14 thou) AND the static timing correct on both sets at the same time

[Mike_Berkshire]

Thanks for the quick reply Bryan. I’ll have another session on it tomorrow and see how I get on.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

Not sure if it helps this was my points base orientation.

As Bryan says it takes a lot of time to get the gap & static timing right. With the right hand set of points it has it's own base adjustment as well as ponts gap. It takes ages to get them right, almost impossible if you have poor quality CB points.

This photo was taken before I replaced the Hex heads with JIS & cleaned the plate up.

.500 ponts plate by Macabe Thiele, on Flickr

[Sesman]

Orientate the plate as illustrated. Your blue yellow connections are correct, with blue feeding the port side coil for pots 1&4. Sorry I can’t provide a colour photo as the file is too large.

I’ve just realised that your photo changes orientation when selected….to the one required! It’s fairly obvious when you study the photo..ie exhaust pipes and oil gallery bung. Sorry about that.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

I found that if you get 1/4 set correctly there was enough scope with the 2/3 base plates adjustment range to set the 2/3 gap correctly. It's worth nipping down all three back plate bolts before you set 1/4 as this alters the settings if you only nip down one bolt.

It goes without saying that if they are used points that you remove any spikes. I had matching points & base plate brands (Tec) on final fit.

[Seabeowner]

It doesn't matter which side the greens are connected as long as they are in electrical contact with the yellow/blue (that should be taken care of by the nut and bolt) and are insulated (by the fibre washers) from ground. I've found sometimes you have to stretch the gap limits to get both pairs timed. Maybe cheap points or other reasons.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

IIRC there is a range for the points gap, changing to a smaller gap on 1/2 sometimes makes 2/3 adjustment easier.
I do remember what I thought was a 20-30 minute job turned into a bit of a frustrating session that took much longer on my 500.
As amateurs we have the learning dip, because we're not doing it day in day out it can be a bit of a a groundhog Day thing.

[deltarider]

Using allen bolts in the ignition plates brings a risk of overtorqing which may result in damaged threads... Stick to crossheads and use JIS screwdivers.

[McCabe-Thiele (Ted)]

I agree, Ken put me right on that  when he saw the photo, he posted a set of the correct JIS screws to me f.o.c. a top bloke, sorely missed here my many of us including me.  He was not pushing trying to sell  sell stuff, just a  genuine enthusiast trying to help others, very refreshing in this day and age with no hidden agenda's.

[Mike_Berkshire]

Well I’m not sure it was I did differently but all seems fine and dandy now. Next step tomorrow is to see if I’m get a spark at the plugs. Thanks for all the comments and support!

[Sesman]

“He was not pushing trying to sell stuff, just a  genuine enthusiast trying to help others, very refreshing in this day and age with no hidden agenda's”

Well stated our Ted.

[Johnny4428]

Ken has also sent me stuff in the past f.o.c. Only ever found him kind and helpful and critical where necessary!