HOW TO SET YOUR TIMING
(with points fitted) by Pete Roper

Where to set TDC- Illustration of 4 stroke engine internals

(Edited by Raf)

TOOLS REQUIRED
Screw driver
Timing Light (not critical)
Test Light/Buzzer or Multimeter
Dizzie Tool or 13mm Spanner

Additonal tools you can make

Bubble-O-Meter (procedure)

Syringe-O-Meter (pic)

FLYWHEEL MARKS
The mark below the D is TDC on the right hand pot.
The mark below the S is TDC for the left hand pot.

Hard to remember which side is D & S?
by Roy Freilich
D as DRIVE side
S as STARTER side

The line above D and S is the static timing mark which is being used in the below procedure.

The line below the D and S is used when timing using a strobe.

Another line (arrow) appears further along the flywheel, ignore this as this is the flywheel alignment mark when refitting to the engine.

ADDITIONAL NOTES
D mark - timing adjusted with the dizzy body, points with RED wire
S mark - timing is adjusted using the points plate , points with GREEN wire

Plan to fiddle with your carbs? Look here first DELLORTO GUIDE

PRINT THIS OUT FOR YOUR CONVENIENCE!!!

  1. Start with the right pot. Gap the points to 16 thou.
  2. Using the multi meter stick in the points feed (red wire) and set on Ohms times one, earth the other probe, turn the engine until the points are just about to open. (Using a test light - connect one clip to the red wire the other clip onto a fin on the barrel - Raf)
  3. This is best done by taking the plugs out, sticking it in 5th, (On the centrestand.) and tugging the wheel round until you can see the cam about to biff the heel of the points. (Alternatively, engage neutral, remove the alternator cover and rotate the alternator via the allen head bolt clockwise, this turns the engine - looking from the front of the bike. - Raf)
  4. Then using a screwdriver through the inspection orifice pry the wheel *up* a bit at a time until the meter reading shows infinite resistance (or test light illuminates - Raf), ie the points open.
  5. Check at this point the location of the 1st mark/line above the D mark. This is the static timing mark.
  6. If the points open before this mark retard the distributor by loosening the bolts that hold the half moon clamp and turning it clockwise.
  7. If it happens afterwards advance it by turning it anticlockwise.
  8. Now rotate the crank backwards and the forwards again and check that the points open at the static timing mark. If not repeat until right.
  9. When you are satisfied it's close enough tighten down the bolts. When you do this it will tend to move the timing a smidge because of the worm drive to the distributor. If i does loosen it again and move acordingly before doing it up again.
  10. Set the left pot. Set the gap on the other set of points to 14 thou, tug the wheel round until the cam is just approaching the heel of that set and then repeat the screwdriver prizing trick after swapping the ohms meter neede to the other points wire (green), (Important that :-) ).
  11. If the points open (light on) before the first mark/line above the S mark loosen the screws that hold the plate that carries the points and move it in a clockwise direction around the distributor until its retarded the point the points open a bit. Wind back the motor and then forwards again to see if it has been sufficiently retarded.
  12. Repeat until the points opening coincides with the 1st mark above the S mark coincides with the points opening.
  13. Now tighten down the screws that hold the ''Mobile' plate, recheck and all should be well and honky dory.

Ideally the machine will be started, warmed up and the the timing adjusted so it's spot on at full advance which is acheved somewhere over 3,000 RPM with a strobe. At the end of the day this is not bloody worth it on a road Guzzi, not only does it annoy the neigbors but everything inside a Guzzi motor thrashes about so wildly and inacurrately it simply isn't worth fussing with. Time it statically, don't forget to dob some grease on the heels of the points for lubrication, slap the lid on and ride off into the sunset.

by Pete Roper

TIP: Use a thin brush with white paint or correction fluid to highlight the flywheel marks to allow you to see them better especially if you are going to use a timing light. - Raf