Triumph Tiger Cub and some potential pitfalls of timing an electronic ignition to suit.

[@cp4512]

The colours on that cub look pretty good

[@robbie2awesome]

wow that's when mechanics becomes an art form, amazing detailed explanation of why electronic ignition is more problematic on this occasion. Thanks so much

[@LOGOASSASSIN]

👌🏻 I wish I still had mine from 1974. I rode it at boarding school in the forest grounds.

[@mowoggreen7878]

Cubs are lovely little bikes, Everyone in the 60s/7os had one at some time or other, thrashed to death by us spotty youths but they kept on running, engine oil never changed etc, rarely washed and just a wipe over of the chain with grease every now n then 🤪 Weve all been there Paul, Times were hard n friends were few 👌👍

[@highdownmartin]

Good old trial and error. I’ve had similar situations where the engine runs, it’s warmed up and I’ll find a lay-by rev it to three thousand or so and advance it till it runs fastest then back off a bit ,then back out on the road again, and see what that is like. Not workshop manual but needs must sometimes.

[@wheater5]

I realised years ago that the manufacturer’s timing figures were achieved by extensive trial and error and were settings designed to work on that particular production run (hence the different figures quoted in Paul’s manual in this video). They can often be improved on because a particular engine might be slightly different due to manufacturing tolerances and once you change mechanical components or run modern fuel, rather than leaded stuff these engine were designed for, you’re out on a limb. I used to time my BSA C15, which had a 12:1 piston and a methanol cam (petrol engine) by tweaking the distributor out on the road. Obviously easier to do than adjusting this setup.

[@davidpatterson9107]

First indruction to Riding a motorbike Tiger Cub 👍

[@hermangibbs8163]

Great info. Thanks.

[@lesmontgomery6498]

Triumph used to have a degree wheel that fastened to the end of the cam. Markings reflected half speed of cam. It was marked for either rotation

[@neilmcintosh1200]

Even with points, the fully advanced setting has to be the only one to use as it avoids uncertainty due to wear, and variations in the range if a replacement advance unit with a different range has been fitted. That is if one can establish what is correct for the engine in question.

[@paulhenshaw4514]

There is more than a degree or two at stake here, though.

[@davefrench3608]

Wise words. In many respects factory is best, but as you showed the actual values vary so much and the chances of a 60+ year old bike being 100% standard to get the book values to work are low.

[@ianaristotlethompson4186]

Piston in its fully advanced position, 36/38 deg btdc. Then line the white dot in the relevant window. Sure you have fitted enough Boyer units.

[@paulhenshaw4514]

Not so simple with a Cub, due to various different full advance settings depending on spec, as I mentioned in my video. I have not fitted many Boyers and don't use them myself, prefering points. Also, the dot in the window is for the retarded [TDC] timing, as I understand it.

[@bananabrooks3836]

​@@paulhenshaw4514l thought you talked yourself round nicely on that Elec/Points argument! Cub varients: Yes, but does the manufacturer not provide details? Or is it a generic kit?

[@paulhenshaw4514]

As far as I know, they are generic, ie they have an advance curve of a set amount, so it is desireable to know the timing would be set to the correct full advance figure more so than fully retarded, if the overall range is too short or too long for a given engine set up.

[@cranacrower]

I don't know how you could strobe a cub because the damn stator is bolted to the primary cover and comes away with it.

[@paulhenshaw4514]

A pointer could be rigged up from one of the primary cover screw holes, but it would have to be set up correctly and could not be a permanent fixture.

[@track1219]

If it doesn’t kick back when starting and doesn’t detonate while under a load, but runs good, you’re pretty close.

[@shug831]

Your Bible is getting WET!