Part 8 - Low Budget Classic Motorcycle Restoration - Ignition Timing

[@TheClassicMotorcycleChannel]

If you'd like to watch the entire series in a playlist, here's the link kzbin.info/aero/PLLaaC3JrqSLAHvKe2Z5jSDY4Dp5EZqFOs

[@iangaskin5469]

I managed to rescue the bones of 16 A65 bikes from the Christchurch earthquakes, I will be starting to build them next year ,thank you for your videos, you have been a great help. Ian

[@bruceleong9534]

In addition to Dave’s clear, calm and knowledgeable instruction the camera work, editing and production are all first class. Fantastic!

[@brucebear1]

Very clear, and all technical details are spot on. I only had a BSA for a few months and that was 57 years ago but there's a lot similar on most British twins. I agree with the issues you point out of the stator clearance -- the magnets grab a steel feeler. I like using a plastic liter-size soft drink bottle and cutting a 1" cylinder out of the middle part (make sure the sides are parallel), put a vertical slit down one side. I push that between the rotor and stator and snug down the rotor nuts. This is not precise enough for actual running but it gets you so that the final setting is quick and easy. Turn the crankshaft to see if there are tight spots; if so, loosen the nuts and re-locate the stator -- if no tight spots, pull the plastic sleeve and precisely check everywhere with 10 thou brass feeler (even a set is super cheap and they're useful in other areas, too). No fighting with magnets grabbing anything. This is one place that the process isn't important -- it's the end result that is, but I think it's easier with non-magnetic items.

[@gregac9142]

Thanks Dave for the videos. They are very helpful with my '66 Lightening rebuild.

[@chrisosullivan2393]

Thank you for all your help . I find them very informative, I have just finished rebuilding a triumph tr7 tiger and now starting a Norton commando and I am constantly referring to your shows thank you for all your hard work chris

[@graemesmith7947]

Really enjoyed watching Dave’s work and his easy way of passing on his knowledge, brilliant.

[@TheClassicMotorcycleChannel]

Thanks 👍 Graeme for your nice comments :)

[@Nifilheimur]

My only motorcycle is an old Harley Davidson Sportster 1200 and now i want an old British motorcycle also. This series is brilliant!

[@TheClassicMotorcycleChannel]

Thanks for your nice words there Nifiheimur!

[@alelectric2767]

The dark art of ignition timing is bloody right.

[@orlandochess1]

I now have a great understanding of setting my timing on my bsa 👍many thanks

[@allanblackesq]

Another great video in this series, I'll watch them a few more times again. :)

[@TheClassicMotorcycleChannel]

Hey Allan, thanks for watching the videos, happy they're adding value :)

[@adamsyfqqq]

what an excellent chap, really knows a lot bout old bikes, really into his stuff, cheers from Malaysia, fan of classic bikes too🇲🇾😁

[@TheClassicMotorcycleChannel]

Nice one Adam, thanks for checking out the videos!

[@zepelin-on-road]

I don't well understand all you say, but as a former BSA A10 owner, it's easy for me to follow your explanations. Thanks for my weekly relaxing episode ! 👍

[@TheClassicMotorcycleChannel]

You are welcome Zepelin on road :)

[@jd6549]

I use a strip of Jaffa cake box for the rotor clearance, it is just the right thickness, tighten the central nut and pull the strip out. The 8 thou feeler gauge should then go all the way around the rotor👍🇬🇧

[@stevec-b6214]

just about to do mine-nice one!

[@davehuxley6689]

Love your video's , easy to follow and understand in common sense language, thank you .

[@TheClassicMotorcycleChannel]

Glad you like them Dave, thanks for saying!

[@joelstark7081]

Im loving your instruction videos.

[@TheClassicMotorcycleChannel]

Glad you like them Joel, thanks for watching them :)

[@roberymcgoff1904]

Well done mate. Thanks for taking the time to share your knowledge.RMM

[@michaelfirth1075]

You put it across well Dave .

[@bakerrv]

As always, another well done video! Cheers

[@TheClassicMotorcycleChannel]

Thanks again Bakerrv!

[@jbcXR]

Really enjoying this rebuild, I'd love to do something like this myself, everything is explained well in these videos.....👍

[@TheClassicMotorcycleChannel]

Glad you enjoyed it JBC RR, thanks for your nice comment :)

[@kevinsumner4121]

Brilliant videos all simply explained for idiots like me, who have to learn from mistakes. You're really good at this. Keep them coming.

[@TheClassicMotorcycleChannel]

Glad it helped Kevin, thanks for your nice comments :)

[@tristanbuckoke9121]

Thanks again great manner and way of explaining . I have learnt a ton of information to be able to tackle my bike . Absolutely love the series mate cheers

[@tinymotogarage]

Great channel find for knowledge and info - thanks! Off to binge your other videos now - I need it 🙂

[@robertverhasselt2412]

Excellent presentation!

[@TheClassicMotorcycleChannel]

Thank you for saying Robert :)

[@paulorrell153]

Brilliant Dave, can’t wait to hear it fired up 👍

[@jackbeanstock7710]

I am loving your A65 videos

[@TheClassicMotorcycleChannel]

Glad you like them Jack, thanks again for saying :)

[@Mad4Triumph3521]

all though it is a BAS (I am a Triumph Fan own 4 of them) all the info is transferable to Triumph, awesome videos and info. Cheers

[@TheClassicMotorcycleChannel]

Right on Barry, thanks for your comments, very relevant :)

[@johnpayne5439]

Great to watch - It's a pity older British bikes are like hens teeth here in Tasmania. Maybe one day I might be able to find a dusty one in an old farmers barn !!!

[@kinnaird100]

Very informative love watching your videos you are a great tutor.

[@TheClassicMotorcycleChannel]

Thank you for watching Kinnaird100 and for you nice comments :)

[@paulbaker9064]

Excellent work, love your style of presentation. Cheers!

[@TheClassicMotorcycleChannel]

Thank you Paul :)

[@michaelferdinand4261]

So well explained. Love it

[@xtremluck6260]

Dave gives such an exceptional amount of detail in these videos it would seem almost easy to undertake such a task myself. But I know Murphy's law is just waiting for me to try. Dave, do you have a hotline in case I attempt such a foolish task?

[@derekcollins1972]

Great vid.Im a Triumph guy but love anything mechanical.I can relate to B.S.A stuff for being quite similar.Top end oiling is a bit different,perhaps even better in the B.S.A.I don't mind my old points.Gives me another excuse to get out in the shop.

[@brockett]

Very nice video. Well done.

[@TheClassicMotorcycleChannel]

Thank you very much Dave!

[@tripleman653]

Thanks for the video. Great work.

[@TheClassicMotorcycleChannel]

Thanks for watching Tripleman and your nice comments!

[@mickeycrilly1839]

Superb as allways thanks

[@TheClassicMotorcycleChannel]

Cheers Mickey!

[@steveburden1801]

Another great video 👍

[@TheClassicMotorcycleChannel]

Glad you enjoyed it Steve!

[@derekcollins1972]

Sometimes I use a strip of an aluminum can for router spacing but feeler gauge is good too.

[@ulrich.hoffmann]

I guess you check the ignition timing again with a strobe light. It cost me two new piston for my Norton Navigator not do it. I relied in the timing marks I made and the timing was way too late so the engine overheated and seized

[@digitalimager4946]

Bob weights for advancing ignition are operated by centrifugal force. Might have been worth mentioning for full understanding.

[@TheClassicMotorcycleChannel]

Spot on Dititalimager! We produced a supplementary video which we're hosting on our SECOND KZbin CHANNEL, just in case anyone wants more information. Cheers for your feedback! Here's the link kzbin.info/www/bejne/rHqqpoumfbiDh80

[@tylermegehe]

Great video. Thanks again. Could one possibly use a strip of shim stock to go all the way around the alternator to line it up versus a feeler gauge to set the gap properly?

[@TheClassicMotorcycleChannel]

We'll check with Dave, that's a good idea actually Tyler!

[@tylermegehe]

@@TheClassicMotorcycleChannel 👍🏻

[@eddiebradford1571]

Brilliant enjoying the videos 😊👍

[@TheClassicMotorcycleChannel]

Thanks Eddie, glad you’re enjoying them :)

[@griftereck]

good work

[@TheClassicMotorcycleChannel]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@wilsonani]

Another great video. Explanations and video fit together nicely .

[@TheClassicMotorcycleChannel]

Thank you kindly Mark :)

[@samjoentess9168]

Great channel Just got on it👍

[@TheClassicMotorcycleChannel]

Welcome aboard Sam! Thanks for saying :)

[@darrelljones8218]

Hello, when you set the timing by using the clutch to move the crankshaft I did not notice you taking the backlash out of the idler gear.

[@tinymotogarage]

Awesome as always - little question on "idle spark" - so there are 2 coils and one electronic pickup - and the controller fires both coils and plugs on every rotation meaning one cylinder gets a spark it doesn't need?

[@daveco1270]

I have a dumb question about installing a Wassell electronic ignitions. The stator has 2 slots, one at 12 o'clock and one at 6 o'clock so you can secure it in place with your pillar bolts. Does it matter which slot is on the top and which is on the bottom or could you have turned the stator 180 degrees and mounted it as long as the rotor underneath was positioned correctly? I hope that question makes sense. Mine is "upside down" compared to the way yours was mounted because I need the wire to exit to the right not the left.

[@jackchidgzey1946]

Hi has Dave done a video on timing of a magnito on A10 BSA or equivalent? I’m trying to set mine up properly and find Dave’s explanations very good. Regards Jack

[@konradwatson7004]

Great video series, entertaining and very informative! I have a 1969 T100P which has very leaky pushrod tubes, I can find lots of videos showing the unit 650’s but have had no luck with finding anything for the C series twins. I’ve also found a ton of conflicting advice on the various forums. I’m really keen to do it myself but want to make sure I do it right! Any chance you could do a unit 500 top end in the near future?

[@TheClassicMotorcycleChannel]

Hey Konrad, just saw this comment, so looks like it wasn't deleted, maybe it's not showing up on your KZbin for some reason, Alex

[@stevec-b6214]

you pulled the rotor up, but later at 10.59 you moved it by hand? it looks like you are moving the rotor so you get the A mark lining up with the screws in the centre of the slot for maximum adjustment when you time it with the strobe later. Is there a video of strobing the final adjustment?

[@glenncurrie5238]

Great series man, I’m sure I’ll be referring to your videos a lot as I’ve picked up a 71 T-bolt engine that I will be putting into a 67 chassis, I haven’t taken the engine apart yet as it turns over and shifts ok, so I’m thinking I’ll bolt it together and give it a try. Any advice?

[@freewheeler88]

Dave....Don't want to embarrass you,but you are articulate/ knowledgable/ interesting /,and you seem like very nice Chap...Now when do i get the 50 pounds????

[@kevkfz5226]

Nicely explained. Good to spend to time on the generator such a bad design on British bikes. Electrical components have no place In hot oil. Bad idea. Like how you didn’t 100% trust the flywheel marks.

[@TheClassicMotorcycleChannel]

Thanks Kev!

[@carlosgooglemaps94]

👍🏻🛠🤩

[@nickmarshall9192]

Love your videos but there is no taper on the alternator rotor Also it's prudent to check the air gap with the crank in a few positions not just one

[@Denton498]

Interesting videos, I do enjoy watching them but please, have a proper ending. The random stop is just a little annoying but I do appreciate them

[@TheClassicMotorcycleChannel]

Hey Denton489, thanks for your comments and watching the videos :)

[@mickducati1947]

😜👍

[@TheClassicMotorcycleChannel]

Right on Mick!