Timer control cable routing and brackets
-
- Member
- Posts: 466
- Joined: Wed Mar 19, 2014 3:00 pm
- Bikes: 1948 FL
1963 BMW R50/2
1966 BMW R60/2
1944 BSA WM20
1967 FLH
1968 FLH
1969 FLH
1972 FLH
2009 FLTRSE3 - Location: Central Oregon
- Has thanked: 166 times
- Been thanked: 167 times
Re: Timer control cable routing and brackets
Good tips George. I think I'll order another timer adjuster screw as the wire does go through it at the wrong angle for this application.
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
-
- Member
- Posts: 466
- Joined: Wed Mar 19, 2014 3:00 pm
- Bikes: 1948 FL
1963 BMW R50/2
1966 BMW R60/2
1944 BSA WM20
1967 FLH
1968 FLH
1969 FLH
1972 FLH
2009 FLTRSE3 - Location: Central Oregon
- Has thanked: 166 times
- Been thanked: 167 times
Re: Timer control cable routing and brackets
Just an update on timer coil installation. My parts arrived and after the normal fitment problems, I've gotten the timer control coil installed.
I always thought that the purpose of retarding the spark with the timer was to reduce the possibility of kick back. The FL has never kicked me (unlike the ironhead I had for years.)
When reading all the different starting procedures on this forum, one common step is retarding the spark. Is there a mechanical reason for this or is it to reduce the chance of kickback?
I always thought that the purpose of retarding the spark with the timer was to reduce the possibility of kick back. The FL has never kicked me (unlike the ironhead I had for years.)
When reading all the different starting procedures on this forum, one common step is retarding the spark. Is there a mechanical reason for this or is it to reduce the chance of kickback?
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
-
- Former member
- Senior Member
- Posts: 2789
- Joined: Tue Dec 18, 2007 2:10 pm
- Bikes: 1941/59 EL
1952 FL
1977 FLH
1994 Fatboy - Has thanked: 22 times
- Been thanked: 110 times
Re: Timer control cable routing and brackets
If you don't retard the spark, the spark plugs fire when the piston is still coming up on the compression stroke, like it does when running normally, like 35* BTDC.
When the spark is retarded, it causes the spark plugs to fire later, when the piston is headed back down on the power stroke, greatly reducing the tendency to kick back.
Actually, I'm not sure if you can rotate the timer a full 35 degrees, but you get the idea.
When the spark is retarded, it causes the spark plugs to fire later, when the piston is headed back down on the power stroke, greatly reducing the tendency to kick back.
Actually, I'm not sure if you can rotate the timer a full 35 degrees, but you get the idea.
-
- Member
- Posts: 466
- Joined: Wed Mar 19, 2014 3:00 pm
- Bikes: 1948 FL
1963 BMW R50/2
1966 BMW R60/2
1944 BSA WM20
1967 FLH
1968 FLH
1969 FLH
1972 FLH
2009 FLTRSE3 - Location: Central Oregon
- Has thanked: 166 times
- Been thanked: 167 times
Re: Timer control cable routing and brackets
Thanks for the explanation Bigincher. Would you say that the engine would start better (fewer kicks, all other factors like timing being equal) with the spark retarded or just reduce the chance of a kick back?
-
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1502
- Joined: Wed May 09, 2001 11:02 pm
- Bikes: 50 EL chopper
44 U that looks like a 37.
60 FLH (Sold)
59 FLH (Sold)
58 FL (Sold)
08 CVO Road King - Location: Maryland
- Has thanked: 242 times
- Been thanked: 137 times
Re: Timer control cable routing and brackets
It lets you make the engine Potato too! New bikes don't Potato. Not good to do it to often though.
-
- Former member
- Senior Member
- Posts: 2789
- Joined: Tue Dec 18, 2007 2:10 pm
- Bikes: 1941/59 EL
1952 FL
1977 FLH
1994 Fatboy - Has thanked: 22 times
- Been thanked: 110 times
Re: Timer control cable routing and brackets
Both, if I understand your question. The real reason to retard the spark is to aid in starting, though.FL54 wrote:Thanks for the explanation Bigincher. Would you say that the engine would start better (fewer kicks, all other factors like timing being equal) with the spark retarded or just reduce the chance of a kick back?
Besides that, I don't know what the HD engineers and designers were thinking....
-
- Senior Member
- Posts: 516
- Joined: Sun Apr 24, 2011 4:29 pm
- Bikes: '54 FL and a mini-bike
- Location: in the garage
- Has thanked: 4 times
- Been thanked: 84 times
Re: Timer control cable routing and brackets
fl54,
Nice job on the installation. It blends right in.
When there is a will, there is a way!
Geo.
Nice job on the installation. It blends right in.
When there is a will, there is a way!
Geo.
-
- Member
- Posts: 466
- Joined: Wed Mar 19, 2014 3:00 pm
- Bikes: 1948 FL
1963 BMW R50/2
1966 BMW R60/2
1944 BSA WM20
1967 FLH
1968 FLH
1969 FLH
1972 FLH
2009 FLTRSE3 - Location: Central Oregon
- Has thanked: 166 times
- Been thanked: 167 times
Re: Timer control cable routing and brackets
Thanks Geo. And thanks for the tips, they were helpful. I decided to just drill another hole in the adjusting screw. I didn't want to wait to get another one and I'll never sell my bike anyway. My kids might when I'm gone but I won't.
-
- Moderator
- Senior Member
- Posts: 8404
- Joined: Sat Nov 15, 2008 4:09 am
- Bikes: Multiple H-D, Ducati, BMW, Triumph, BSA,...
- Has thanked: 481 times
- Been thanked: 2954 times
Re: Timer control cable routing and brackets
Not quite. Retarded is still before TDC on a rising piston, not headed down. But the combo of piston position, flame travel, and momentum, all conspire to allow it to continue forward instead of putting the brakes on its travel.When the spark is retarded, it causes the spark plugs to fire later, when the piston is headed back down on the power stroke, greatly reducing the tendency to kick back.
Nice job on making a set-up that works for you FL54!
-
- Former member
- Senior Member
- Posts: 2789
- Joined: Tue Dec 18, 2007 2:10 pm
- Bikes: 1941/59 EL
1952 FL
1977 FLH
1994 Fatboy - Has thanked: 22 times
- Been thanked: 110 times
Re: Timer control cable routing and brackets
I didn't think it would quite make it to the downstroke, Robbie, thanks for the clarification.
And 54FL-- that's a clean solution you came up with, nice job..!
And 54FL-- that's a clean solution you came up with, nice job..!
-
- Member
- Posts: 466
- Joined: Wed Mar 19, 2014 3:00 pm
- Bikes: 1948 FL
1963 BMW R50/2
1966 BMW R60/2
1944 BSA WM20
1967 FLH
1968 FLH
1969 FLH
1972 FLH
2009 FLTRSE3 - Location: Central Oregon
- Has thanked: 166 times
- Been thanked: 167 times
Re: Timer control cable routing and brackets
Thanks guys and the help and sharing of knowledge on this site is unequaled.