The New And Improved Unofficial R65 Forum V2
Technical Discussion => BMW Technical Q&A, Primarily R65 => Topic started by: weasel01 on July 04, 2009, 12:07:49 PM
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I am on my way to harbor freight to buy a timing light.
Is this tool sufficient or do I need something better?
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I'm sure that HF has more than one timing light so I can't comment unless you are more specific. A SKU number would be helpful...
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Justin, It's this'n here :
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=40963
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It should work although I don't think you'll get much use out of the timing advance feature. Just a straight inductive-pickup timing light (Xenon of course) that would suffice. Like this 'un...
http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/displayitem.taf?Itemnumber=3343
But, I guess it all boils down to which one your local store carries.
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I bought the cheaper of the 2 and it works but the strobe isn't all that powerful but it does work.
I am still obsessing over the timing hole marks....
My bike has the this for the advanced timing mark :
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Z
The mark on my timing hole is on the lower left hand side.
Do I adjust for the mark on my case to the line above Z or between the line and the Z or centered on the Z?
Also which plug wire... snowbum says it doesnt matter but the left is more convenient the manual say the right hand I tried both and there is a difference.
I went with the right hand but now my valve noise seems to be louder?
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I bought the cheaper of the 2 and it works but the strobe isn't all that powerful but it does work.
I am still obsessing over the timing hole marks....
My bike has the this for the advanced timing mark :
_
Z
The mark on my timing hole is on the lower left hand side.
Do I adjust for the mark on my case to the line above Z or between the line and the Z or centered on the Z?
Also which plug wire... snowbum says it doesnt matter but the left is more convenient the manual say the right hand I tried both and there is a difference.
I went with the right hand but now my valve noise seems to be louder?
I use a high-dollar Sun xenon timing light and the light ain't too bright either. Plus, cables get in the light beam and my eyes aren't far enough apart to see around 'em.::)Usually, I'll close the shop overhead door, leaving it just cracked so I don't off myself, and get a slightly better image from the timing light.
At approx 3500 rpm, the ignition should be fully advanced and the horizontal mark above Z should be centered in the hole. At idle rpm, the S mark should be centered in the hole. If S is low in the hole, the timing is retarded. S high, too advanced.
I use the right-hand plug lead for timing, per the manual. A good fan blowing straight on the front end of the engine helps prevent overheating it you dawdle too long.
When you're happy with the timing, and the BMW accepts quite of bit of tolerance, let the engine cool and re-check valve lash.
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Thanks Monte! On that same note as I recheck the gap at the valves the
TDC has a line above it too.... __
ot
Where in reference to the mark on the side of my timing hole?
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Same. The letters just tell you what mark you're looking at. The line is your guidon. M
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So line the line up in the center of the hole or with the notch in my case which is on the lower part of my timing hole off center?
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Should be the factory notch. Mine's pretty much on center but I suppose the factory may adjust as necessary.
Monte
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If you subscribe to the BMW MOA Owners News there is a very good article in this months issue on the description of all the timing marks on the airheads. Also, I've been told to hook up the timing light to an auxiliary battery as the bike battery could give you a false reading. Don't know if this is true but it worked very well for me.
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If you subscribe to the BMW MOA Owners News there is a very good article in this months issue on the description of all the timing marks on the airheads. Also, I've been told to hook up the timing light to an auxiliary battery as the bike battery could give you a false reading. Don't know if this is true but it worked very well for me.
Good call on the aux batt, Mike. I failed to recall that little bit. I do that with my bikes and feel it's a better timing job. Snowbum discusses this, too... so what else is new?
Monte
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I put a Sears battery charger on the bikes battery, when I do the carb adjustments, or any other time the bike is going to be running, and not charging the battery properly .
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I have always clipped to the vehicle battery and never had any problems. NOW, since you goobers have pointed out that my way is wrong, I will probably no longer be able to use the vehicle battery. Thanks a lot...
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I have always clipped to the vehicle battery and never had any problems. NOW, since you goobers have pointed out that my way is wrong, I will probably no longer be able to use the vehicle battery. Thanks a lot...
Aw, Justin. You're just still ticked off 'cause you didn't get to go ride The Dragon and we're paying for it. [smiley=furious3.gif]