Chopper fires and lives again!

[Davidmeachen]

Hi Guys, Chopper fired up but only after I swapped the HT leads over. What I did: first I used a vernier gauge and zeroed it when I had 'felt' TDC (through the plug hole) so the tip of the gauge rested on the top of the piston. Then, very carefully, added 11/32 to the tip of the gauge. Wound the engine back and then forward until once again the tip of the gauge touched the piston. So then at least I knew the piston was exactly 11/32 BTDC. Next, using a rizla paper, I turned the contacts until they were just opening and the Rizla became loose. I then wedged the points brass plate with a clothes-peg so it couldn't move when I fitted the advance/retard mechanism. Then using another bit of clothes peg, I wedged the A/V in the fully advanced position and very carefully pushed it onto the armature, tightened it up and hoped for the best. First kick brought a backfire, second kick also a backfire.Well I knew I had the timing spot on so thought I set the contact breakers to open on the wrong part of the cam-ring so swapped the HT leads over then gave another kick...... Wow, she started and sounded great. I couldn't let it run for more than a couple of seconds as I had disconnected the oil pipes to stop the oil draining out of the tank. Now waiting for a new nut for the dynamo pinion as the one fitted had stripped threads. Next job is to clean the casing surfaces ready for refitting after fitting the new nut. All in all feeling quite pleased with myself having found the fault (confirmed by you guys) and then re-timing and getting the bike to run again.