Be careful not to drape the strobe wires near the exhaust pipes, yes, they will melt!įiring up the bike the strobe will emit a bright light each time the cylinder fires. The strobe clips around the first cylinder plug lead. Strobes come in all shapes and sizes and it's best to buy the best you can afford. I find it easier to use a separate battery though you can use the 12 volt one on your bike if fitted. The strobe I use needs a 12volt supply hence the battery. In the picture you can see the manual, tools, strobe, battery and something to kneel on.
Motorcycle timing light manual#
Make sure you follow the manual as sometimes there are marks for timing and others for checking valve clearances. On the XS650 the timing marks are on the alternator side. Of course it takes a bit of working out with a degree disc or dial indicator first but I always thought it was worth the initial effort in the time saved later on. I often did this with my older two strokes, like my old D14 Bantam, as it was a lot quicker and easier to whip the strobe out than set up the dial indicator or degree disc. Fear not, as with a bit of paint you can make your own timing marks. These are often provided by the manufacturers but on older models they are not. The first on a moving bit, like the alternator rotor, and another on a static bit like the crankcase. To carry out dynamic timing with a strobe you will need timing marks.
This latter method is normally the one you use with electronic ignition setups and later points systems and is the one I will attempt to describe here. Static timing, where you work out where the points open in relation to the crank position, or dynamic timing which you check with a strobe against marked timing points with the engine running. There are two main ways to check the timing on your bike. It is a simple and straightforward timing light.Karl Bentley investigates a misfire on his Yamaha XS650, and discovers that it's all in the timing.Ĭoming back from a wonderful ride ( you can read about it here), the ignition timing on my XS650 slipped due to a loose timing disc. There are no special features or safety features. Otherwise, there is really nothing that makes this stand out against its competitors. So if that is what you prefer, you will need to look elsewhere. It is worth noting that this is an analog timing light, not a digital. But MSD ignition lights are not the easiest to come by, which may be the reason for the higher price tag. The higher price does not really equate to a better quality. This timing light from MSD is definitely more expensive than its competitors. So if that is what you have, this is likely the best product for you. That would be expected given that this light is specifically made to work with the MSD box. The customer service from MSD is very good and they are responsive to questions or concerns. It weighs just under 2 pounds, so it is easy to handle. Its light is bright enough to be easily visible during the daylight, and it is detachable for storage. With a simple red design, MSD boasts that it is extremely accurate and tough. This timing light from MSD is top-quality for a top price. Others report that the timing light might wear out too soon. Some users say the bulb is difficult to replace when it comes time to do that.
Motorcycle timing light professional#
However, DIYers and professional mechanics working on vehicles with 6-volt systems might want to look elsewhere because according to some reviews, this light does not work on those systems. The instructions that are included are in English, French, and Spanish. The housing is tough ABS plastic and the heat-resistant over-molding on the battery clips allows for long service. The display also shows two- and four-cycle RPM/advance lights, and has up and down buttons. The LED tach display is digital and reads from 0-9,999 RPMs and the advance display reads to 0.10. You can use the light on all gas-powered vehicles that have electronic, conventional, computer-controlled, DIS (distributorless ignition system), and two-cycle ignition systems. The mode indicator lights give you information about RPM, advance, centrifugal advance, and vacuum advance. This timing light has a micro-processor controlled circuitry for accuracy and longevity.
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