Ariel Owners Motorcycle Club

Hello everyone! The po told me to start the NH on third advance, however it starts easier on full retard. When your're on the move does it basically act in conjunction with the accelerator - low revs and tick over full retard but fully advanced when cruising?

Yes, .............. if the mag. ignites 1/2 inch before dead center on full advance.

What's wrong with starting full retard?
I start all my bikes this way and advance after it started.
I even retard with some bikes on aroundabout so I do not have to shift back (1930 bikes with sliding gear f.i)

Basically, you are manually controlling where the spark occurs.
Later on, this was done "automatically" with points and advance/bob weights and then by electronic ignition.

The "retard" bit is a bit misleading.
On my VH, if you set the timing to 1/2" BTDC, with the lever fully "advanced", then that actually equates to TDC when the lever is fully "retarded".

Depending on the accuracy of the igntion setting (and how accurate is a fag paper and a stick down the plug hole ?) and the tune/wear on the bike, then different bikes (of the same model) will start better with the lever in different positions. They may also run better with the lever in different positions.

As I understand it, the magneto is designed to give the best possible spark at full advance. This has something to do with the position of the armature with respect to the magnetic field. The more you retard the ignition the weaker the spark will get. However if it works for you and your mag, more power to your elbow.

keith is right on with his comment above. The strongest spark is at full advance (or close) on most magnetos. If it starts OK in a retarded position that is the safest place as there is less chance ot the engine kicking back against the kickstarter. The effect of this is most pronounced on the higher comp. 500 OHV Singles. Starting on full advance is not recommended anytime but just off full retard to half way, may do it best. Nev

You should find it easy to establish a retarded position for starting. Each bike is a bit different.

Regarding using it when on the move, if your bike is vintage then there is a good chance that you will use it sometimes. I use mine occasionally at low revs if I'm too lazy to change down but only to take the edge off the bangs when coming gently out of a hairpin maybe. I also use it when waiting at the lights. Strictly speaking you are supposed to use the gearbox so that the engine is in its normal working range. If you do too much trickery with the retard lever then eventually you may burn out the exhaust valve which happened to me on my old VB more than once.

automatic retard/advance alway go back to retard when you idle and do no harm I think???