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POINTS TIMING CB500/4

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barney:
I am at the stage of my rebuild in deciding to fit a Boyer system or not. My question is when trying to set the points, I find the correct mark for cylinders 1-4 and set the points gap, all is OK. Then when I rotate the crank for setting the 2-3 cylinders the points for 1-4 are still opening making the gap wider !!
Is this normal or should I have to rotate the points back plate to compensate ? The points cover has been set on the rebuild by lining up the scribed mark line which was put there before stopping down.
Thanks,

deltarider:

--- Quote ---I find the correct mark for cylinders 1-4 and set the points gap, all is OK. Then when I rotate the crank for setting the 2-3 cylinders the points for 1-4 are still opening making the gap wider !!
--- End quote ---
Just to make sure you did it right: you DON'T set the points gap at the mark, you set the gap when it is at it's widest (and that is certainly not at the mark). The mark is for the timing of the ignition, it's the position where the points begin to open. This timing is done after you've set the points gap. So, two different things done at two different crankpositions.
Step 1: turn the crank till gap is at it's widest and check if this gap is within specs. If necessary adjust by moving the set of breaker points.
Step 2: Check the timing of the ignition. That means point should start to open at the mark. Adjustment can be made by moving the backplate.
Check your manual.

K2-K6:
Just to add to the above which is correct:-

As you move the points plates to correct timing you can get small variations in the points gap depending on the accuracy of the mechanical fittings, so you may need to fiddle about for a bit to get both settings accurate.

They aren't hard to get working well though and for a non race engine they are a fairly nice setup with no really inherent limitations and generally seem to be long term reliable, so shouldn't give you any concerns in use.

florence:
I have to agree with the above comments.  I have been running mine on points since 1995 and no problems.  I've had to change them a few times but not very often.  I have also been surprised by how far they can sometimes go out of setting and yet the engine will still run well without apparent problem, usually when I am really overdue in replacing them.

Many years ago my friend had an electronic ignition set which was always going wrong.  In the end we took it off in favour of points.

Tomb:
I have the points in my 500/4 that came with it when I bought the bike, I use it for work every day, I bought it 27 years ago :D :D :D :D

I check the gaps every few years and they've never altered

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