can i check the timing without a light?
With points - Yes static timing can be checked very accurately but the maximum advance figure is ultimately more important to the engine.
Ignition off. Disconnect the bean can lead and attach an ohm meter or buzzer between the the bean can spade terminal and any earth point like the barrel fins.
Not my preferred method but alternatively with the ignition on you can leave the bean can lead attached and connect a test light across the points but beware of coil heating and leave grounded plugs in the caps.
With the plugs out rotate the engine clockwise with an Allen key in the rotor bolt and observe the timing marks through the inspection window.
The points should open (buzzer stops or ohm meter shows open circuit or test lamp goes off) when the S mark is aligned with the notch in the left side of the timing window.
Ideally check with a strobe to ensure at 3000+ rpm the Z mark is aligned to indicate the correct amount of maximum advance. Once you have established that the maximum advance is correct and correlated that with the static timing then I find no need for further strobe timing checks except at long intervals to check for wear in the advance mechanism.
