How To Fully Clean, Adjust, and Read Ignition Points 

I'm glad this video is here. I had some issues with my bike starting after some hard rain. I went through a ton of troubleshooting after I narrowed it down to an electrical issue, but no one was talking about the points. I didn't know about them until I talked to the bike's previous owner.

You touched on exactly how I recondition my point surfaces. I get flack from lots of guys who have been conditioned by the parts counters to REPLACE THEM, DON'T CLEAN THEM. They say you're "removing the protective coating" ....yeah...right! lol...Being in my 50's, resurfacing points was and IS how I do it, and I've got 50+ year old point sets that are better than any new ones you can buy today. I'm glad you picked up the Impacta Drivers! Looks like you've really put them to use with the worn lettering. Aren't they the tits? As a side note, new slide and needle in the CM185T fixed my problems! So it's just down to chasing a couple Electrical Gremlins and it'll be ready to ride in the Spring (Winter up North now!) Cheers Cody and thanks for the shout out Brother! Zip~

Thank you for your detailed description! I’m working on my first bike (80’ CM200T) and I think the timing is off. Going to try this out shortly!

I just wanted to say a huge thank you for the time, attention and detail that you gave in these 40 min. I bought a Yamaha DS7 and learning my way into it, and this video was very enlightening. Thank you sir.

I'm happy I watched this video. Your explanation of the ignition timing cam put it all into perspective for me

It makes sense, my friend. Allthough I have not such an ignition I found it a very intresting and clear explanation. Brought back great memories from my younger days 😎

This video is great! Just dialed in my 76' 750 in less than 20 minutes. You da man!!

Thank you so much for this! Your attention to detail really helped me out. I have a 1980 Yamaha XS850 with a rather odd stock setup. They made the points unadjustable and hid the point plate behind a pickup plate which has no marks but can rotate a bit like the bike in the video. After replacing the crankcase gasket I have to set the timing, and the knowledge about how that plate is helpful along with how to read the point plate markings has made this possible.

FYI that big 23 mm blinds the camera of the rest of our focuse. you're a real good instructor!

I just bought a 1969 Yamaha AT-1, my first with contact point ignition. I had been looking for a good background explanation, and this is it. Thanks!

Best video on RU-vid I've ever seen no joke

I needed ALL of this information. Great video. Great teaching. Thank you.

I gave this a thumbs up simply because some idiots thought it necessary to give you thumbs down - whatever. Love your style and vids man. Very new to MC maintenance (have 3 '70's CB's and a '75 GT550 triple). Learnin lots, thanks.

This is the best video on youtube. I didn't even know what a contact breaker point was a couple days ago. Excellent and understandable explanation of what I need to do using tools that I actually have. I'm working on a 1970 Suzuki TC90 with no spark. Would this be the same basic procedure for a 1 cylinder 2 stroke?

Is this the same principle for the pulsar generators on dohc models? I am trying to chase cylinders 2&3 that wont fire and im thinking the timing on these may be too far advanced? Spark is good, leak down test on each cylinder has a loss of around only 10%. Carbs are rebuilt and fresh and plugs 2&3 stink of fuel where as 1&4 are black with carbon. Any help, pointers gratefully recieved. Keep up the great work. Pete

Those vessel screwdrivers are amazing.

Very well made video, guess I should buy a motorcycle and start tinkering , the information here makes it look easy!

Best video on the you tube for setting timing! Thank you.

I don't even know why I did this to myself, went and bought a vintage kawasaki, man vintage stuff sure is full of this kind of small maintenance needs. But you know what, I'm happy with it

Thank you for your thorough explanation!

Thank you for this video! I am picking up a Vessel impacta; thanks for the tips

Very COOL! Informative and super easy to follow...Thanks Cody

I am working on a 78 CB550. Can't get 1&4 to produce spark. I have tried a new ignition coil. Points seem to be functioning okay but the 1&4 point get really hot when the ignition is on. Going to replace condensors next. Any idea why that point set is getting hot?

something you may want to incorporate if you do another vid of this nature is to make the nut with a sharpie where the highest point of the lobe is just for a visual for the viewers. Keep up the great work

Excellent video for me....adjusting points on my Honda 1978 750K!

Best point video on youtube. The explanation through out was outstanding. Thank you. Very helpful video. Liked and subbed.😁

What you said about not being able to get the time right with the points because the time was wrong on the motor, been there with a Toyota 22r.

Hello, I remember adjusting points in my 77 VW Rabbit when I was 18 years old. I have that exact timing light, I also used a Dwell meter on that car. Would a Dwell meter help on a points motorcycle? I bought a 69 Triumph Tiger with points. I had it out for the first time yesterday and it is occasionally back fires, which shut down the motor as I started off once. This is telling me my timing is off. Most likely the points are off. Does my bike have duel points or single? I’m hoping single, so it will be easier to deal with. The bike has all original Philips heads everywhere. I will get those screw drivers. Thanks for your video.

I believe that TIP given for timing was opposite of what the old timers had in mind. What you showed was regarding the timing and they probably ment to advance the timing and have it fire a little before the F mark.

Close to 50 years ago when I had a 750, there was a Delco point conversion where you could set your points with an Allen wrench, like the 71 Vette I owned. You could set the dwell and check the timing with your light.

I'm bringing a 71 CL350 back. Zippo turned me on to this vid a while back, finally got to watching it. Between the 750 and 350 the stuff is in different places but I'd guess the principle is the same. If I set the points to fire on "F", that's safe right? Not looking to eek out every ounce, just want it to run well and long. Impacta is the bomb!

Thanks for this guide. Really practical when working on these old CB's.

Great video, I needed this revision on adjusting these tricky points.

Just got my first bike. A 78 gs400 giving me alot of issues lol. Gonna put this knowledge to use tomorrow.

Great breakdown. So, maybe I missed it but when does the set points actually send the spark to the spark plug? When the points start to open? Doesn't make alot of sense being that the points are kinda like a switch. So current is running through them when they are closed? But it's being controlled by the condenser? And as the points open they spark and send energy to the plug?? Thanks!

Nice video Cody! And good explanation. I just have one doubt: it seems that you adjust the points gap on different positions of the advancer. I thought it was at 90° after the F mark but I saw you setting some grades before and then recheck even more grades before (that 300 stamped on the advancer is probably 45 degrees after F mark?).

I love the video and the way you walked us through the process I have a 74 ct90 sometimes I have spark at the plug sometimes I don’t !! I’m getting frustrated chasing this gremlin The bike has 1592 miles and was stored inside There is no rodent damage and all the wiring looks good Any ideas ?

You are sir, a real mecanic thank’s, old scool best scool

Pretty cool vid, great job explaining

"...so I can kind of point some stuff out." Died laughing.

Really great video! Can you tell me why 1,4 freezes on the F, but 2,3 flutters and does not freeze on F when idling?

Hi there! Just bought a 1976 cj360t that doesn’t run. Could ignition timing cause the bike not to start? Thanks so much.

You did a great job explaining this. THANK YOU!

Good stuff Cody. Old school.

When I use a strobe, and turn the plate to its max, the 1-4 pair is only idle firing at the T mark. The plate can't turn far enough to reach the F mark UNTIL I rev it past idle. And it doesn't ever advance fully to the 3500 rpm mark, either. The 2-3 is almost perfect, though... but the problem is the plate won't turn any further to accommodate the 1-4. Have you heard of this before? What do you do, here? Incidentally, it -was- almost perfect until I re-tensioned the cam chain. That seems to have thrown off the cam sync alignment off from the timing plate alignment...Although it's "close" I hear the difference ...it is just a tiny bit raspier and rougher. Anyhow, what would you do to get these lined up with a strobe, when the plate won't even turn far enough to get it perfect?

Man you really helped me out in this video- thanks so much!

Great video. Don’t you have to adjust valves also when you adjust points? Saludos 👍

Cheers Cody it was great to see this video never done anything like this. Was a bit mixed up but learned a lot thanks again .... ROBERT from bonnie Scotland lol 😁😁😁

Excellent video my friend thank you I was a little off runs awesome now 1975 z1900

Your videos are very helpful, and well instructed.👍🏻🇺🇸

I've got a point misalignment on my '78 KZ650…the two points for 2&3 are parallel to each other, but slightly offset (the rocker arm point is off to the side 1mm, maybe 2mm). Big issue? Can I (gently) bend the rocker arm a tad to make sure the point is straight above?

All your vidoes are killer. Keep up the great work. Love being a subscriber!

Awesome stuff MR. Motorcycle MD, but one question where/how did you get the shirts you wear in these videos? funny thing..my mom over heard you on my laptop and thought it was me talking to her, lol she was so confused because i wasn't around but we sound exactly alike.

GREAT VIDEOS! What are your thoughts on using a dwell meter?

Great vid thanks Cody. I'm going to try it on my 82 Gsx400f, though my timing shizzle looks different to that. Electronic I guess. Hopefully the principle translates though. Cheers.

I went counter clock wise because I didn't watch any videos I went off of what I was told but I was wondering if doing that can cause a problem

I put in new points and condensers, but never moved the plate , never took it off. If I gap the new points correctly, will I still have the timing correctly? I don't want to mess with it

two decades ago, i bought my first bike. it was already an old bike (Java 250)👍. no youtube back then 😀. And no Cody😐

t best point information i have seen

Great vidéo, thank you!!

Very informative, thank you soo much!

I'm new at your channel, after watching the video (which has awesome explanations) I'm wondering if an ohmeter could help to find the spots better than eyeballing the openings of each pair of cylinders, or if this doesn't matter so much.. Thanks in advance! Side note: no CB1100F vids? :)

thank mate this video its very helpfull need to sort my moto guzzi lario

How about a video in single-cylinder bikes? Incl. using a Dwell meter. Sure could use it as there is absolutely nothing out there...Thanks in advance!

i have a 69 yamaha at1 and it has no spark. do you have any tips?

Does this video apply to a 79 CB750F?

Let say the motorbike has got one piston and has got CBP gap What can you look for

Well done

Hey man thank you for the video. I am currently working on a 1999 Kawasaki police as well as a 09 Versys. The police needs to be rewire, but due to it not having a computer for iginition I am needing to understand how the ignition system works in order to wire it correctly. Thank you once again! FYI, You should not have to apologies for a webster defined term, such as "retard". It is the definition of the word :) No slang intended :) You are absolutely correct, it is America Dammit!! Do what is needed, fix what is needed,, but "Get the damn job done... Right and forever" = "American Engineering" Great Videos!!

great job good explanation.

I would use a piece of chalk to mark my timing mark on the old autos, maybe you could get a white out bottle with a small brush to paint the mark in there, then you can pick it up on the camera

Dude where are you located?

thanks a lot, I´ll do it with my GL1000 1977

RE: video capture of the strobe: guessing the "shutter" sampling rate of the camera is hard to match to the idle rate of the bike as the marks go flyin' by-hella hard to show (I know, tried to record it myself the other day).

need sum help valve adjustment on vf700f 1985 interceptor 4 valve head

What is the new technology for ignition?.instead of points?

Nice! CB550 77

timing pick up sensor is that electronic points?

Dude you can adjust the timing when the engine is running! I just think that would be way faster... No more try and check! Run adjust and done.

GREAT VID

Awesome video! Right on the flipping money! haha

Awesome thanks!

nice one Cody thx Bro

Help! I had to rebuild my starter now my bike wont start!

Can o use a 1979 xl80 on a 1979 xl100s homda

my question is do bikes with points have cdi boxs ???

Estaría genial que estuviera subtitulado al español mi amigo excelente trabajo

Interesting, we call it the HT lead. High Tension instead of "spark plug wire"

Thanks for the videos, man. They are JIS screws not Phillips. Stop saying Phillips.

Great instructional, thanks! As to defending correct terminology, advance and retard.. lol. What a world. 😃

also the fiber foot that rides on the cam can also wear out, thus effecting the gap and time. Ask me how i know. 1969 s65 would not comply. It was wore the f$#k out. haha

you can;t use any sand paper use only emery cloth and point file

Using a light to do a static timing is so easy. Why wouldn't you use it? Set up points in less than 20 mins. Then check dynamically. Idk man. You do you.

I'd like to Know the opinion of the hairballs who thumbed down this video. Thank you very much, excellent job 😀

"I swear it's ok to say that word"

There are no Phillips on a vintage Honda spend the ten bucks on jis it's so much better

They are not Philips headed screws they are JIS headed screws two completely different heads.

....and this thing also has "an electric stapler" 1:52

👍👍👍😁

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