How do you set timing on a 79 Harley Iron head sportster with points and condensor If someone knows how can you please guide the whole way through it?

Answer 1

Remove the timing cover on the right side of the motor. Then remove the spark plugs. Then remove the timing plug on the left side, just above the primary cover. Notice (NOTICE means look but don't touch with a wrench) that the points cam, behind the bolt head in the middle, has a wide lobe and a narrow lobe. Notice also, by feeling with your fingers, that the cam, the surface the points ride on, will turn behind the bolt. Do NOT loosen or tighten the bolt, and if you had it out and put it back in, do NOT overtighten as it is a very fragile bolt and bends easily. Turning the motor over, if it has a kickstart, or by putting the bike in high gear and turning the rear wheel, bring the flywheels around till the slot on the flywheel is in the timing hole with the narrow lobe on the points cam near the fiber block on the points. It is imperative that you make sure that the narrow lobe, not the wide lobe, on the cam is near the fiber block or it will be 180 degrees out. Then, place a piece of cellophane, such as comes wrapped around a pack of cigarettes, between the points, loosen the slotted screws, top and bottom on an xl, so that the plate the points are attached to will turn. the cam will rock clockwise a little bit, advancing the timing. Turn the plate holding the points until when the cam is turned all the way forward, the cellophane will barely pull from between the points. Let go of the cam and tighten the slotted screws and you will be perfectly static timed. Side note: to check if the bolt has been bent, check your points gap on both lobes by turning the motor over. It should be even or very close. If this is too complicated, just locate the two slotted screws in the center of the sliding slots and the bike should run. Then take it to someone to time properly.