Basic info: 1978 XS650E, standard. Has 33k on it, but it has evidently been pretty well cared for, as evidenced by clean oil(s), nice grease in the head bearings, good rear brake shoes, etc. (front caliper was buggered- how I got it). About 130/135 PSI compression each side.
What I did: Front brakes sorted, swingarm bushings replaced, tapers installed, new sump filter(s), tires/tubes, etc. Timed up (very close to spec), cleaned carbs. Actually got the bike started sufficient to check the charge rate (13.5 VDC, thanks for that), synch the carbs, & get all lights working sufficient to pass inspection, and put maybe 80 miles total on it. Always started a bit hinky, but it ran ok once going. Had EMGO aftermarket automotive-type coils on it that for some reason I was suspicious of, and decided to swap out with EMGO OEM-type. Before I started that swap (on a now running bike, I want to be clear on this point), I saw that the points leads at the coils were swapped left to right.
New OEM coils installed, swap leads so left is left,etc.
Hmmmm...........
Things went downhill after that. Could not get it to run, backfires only. More Hmmmm............ Timing light sez fire is all over the place, sometimes ok, then not.
Investigating the timing more closely, and removing the advance unit and rod, to check if the locating pins are A.) there, and B) in the correct orientation, this is what I see: When I put the motor at top dead center on the compression stroke of the left cylinder (left intake valve has opened and closed, and piston is now at TDC). The locating pin for the advance unit is at 6 o'clock, and not 12 o'clock, as expected.
I believe I am looking at pulling the motor to remove the head top cover, and am expecting to find that the camshaft is 180' out.
Am I correct? Is there something else I am missing? If I rotate the motor another full 360' then the locating pin (and therefore camshaft) appear to be correct, but am I not then on the exhaust stroke at TDC?
Appreciate comments. Am not afraid of the work at all, but at 70 pulling the motor is a pain (I can still do though!). Pic is of the advance unit end of the cam at Left TDC.
What I did: Front brakes sorted, swingarm bushings replaced, tapers installed, new sump filter(s), tires/tubes, etc. Timed up (very close to spec), cleaned carbs. Actually got the bike started sufficient to check the charge rate (13.5 VDC, thanks for that), synch the carbs, & get all lights working sufficient to pass inspection, and put maybe 80 miles total on it. Always started a bit hinky, but it ran ok once going. Had EMGO aftermarket automotive-type coils on it that for some reason I was suspicious of, and decided to swap out with EMGO OEM-type. Before I started that swap (on a now running bike, I want to be clear on this point), I saw that the points leads at the coils were swapped left to right.
New OEM coils installed, swap leads so left is left,etc.
Hmmmm...........
Things went downhill after that. Could not get it to run, backfires only. More Hmmmm............ Timing light sez fire is all over the place, sometimes ok, then not.
Investigating the timing more closely, and removing the advance unit and rod, to check if the locating pins are A.) there, and B) in the correct orientation, this is what I see: When I put the motor at top dead center on the compression stroke of the left cylinder (left intake valve has opened and closed, and piston is now at TDC). The locating pin for the advance unit is at 6 o'clock, and not 12 o'clock, as expected.
I believe I am looking at pulling the motor to remove the head top cover, and am expecting to find that the camshaft is 180' out.
Am I correct? Is there something else I am missing? If I rotate the motor another full 360' then the locating pin (and therefore camshaft) appear to be correct, but am I not then on the exhaust stroke at TDC?
Appreciate comments. Am not afraid of the work at all, but at 70 pulling the motor is a pain (I can still do though!). Pic is of the advance unit end of the cam at Left TDC.