Cycle News is a weekly magazine that covers all aspects of motorcycling including Supercross, Motocross and MotoGP as well as new motorcycles
Issue link: https://magazine.cyclenews.com/i/125700
M By Rod Breaker -" ~ w TIMING YOUR A TRANSISTOR RADIO, Z W ..J U There is only one factor that controls whether or not y,ou can use this method, that is that' the only motorcycles that it will work on are those with a BATTERY IGNITION. The tools needed are simple, a screwdriver, a wrench and a transistor radio in good working order. 1.) First- turn on the radio and adjust the band to a point on th.e wave length -where there is NO station. This is very important that you pick a spot on the dial where you get no sound at all such as a remote statio'n or a lot of static. Next turn the volume all the way up, Again you should not be able to hear a distant station. There should be no problem encountered here as there are many places on a radio dial that will not bring in a station. >- ..., 'tLb' ".1J 2.) Of course you should have already cleaned and gapped (.014-.016thou.) the contacts. Now place the radio as close to the contact breaker as you can without it being in your way to adjust ·the timing. It need not be a large transistor as shown, one of the ~ jobs the size of a cigarette pack will do just as well. Remember that the volume must be turned all the way up. 4.) This is achieved by removing the point cover on the cylinder head and :changing tbe ignition timing. To do this, loosen th.e two screws (large arrows) that hold the contact breaker plate in position. Just loosen them slightly so that the plate may be moved (rotated would be a better word) in either direction to bring the timing to spot-on. While this 'system may sound a little far·fetched, it does work and it is cheaper than investing in expensive timing apparatus. If your machine fills the bill with the battery ignition and the timing marks, give it'a go, it will surprise you. Keep in mi"d also that the ignition switch must be in the "ON" position and that the battery has to be charged up for th is system to work properly. 3.) Now using a 14mm wrench on the rotor nut just under the cover on the lefthand side of the engine, rotate the engine until it comes up onto the compression stroke. On the Honda 90 rotor, there are two lines marked 'r and 'F' and there is a stationary pointer mounted on the case. The 'r when aligned with the stationary pointer indicates that the piston is at Top Dead Center while the 'F' line indicates ignition timing with the automatic-advance unit in the 'retard' position. As the engine is rotated slowly in the direction of normal running (in this case, counter-elockwise), as the contacts break, with the ignition key turned on, you will -hear a loud static "crack" over the radio. The object is to get the radio to crack at the exact moment that the "F" line aligns with the line on the stationary pointer. ..us RACING" U ",' .~.' Glove made of fine pigskin. Washable - BUENA PARK CYCLE never hardens - best blister protection. Unique knuckle protection. Natural cork color, will not .fade. Dealer Inquiries Invited. South BayMotorcycles (213). 379-3344 HUSQVARNA Oi slrlbUled by Med-International 4790 Palm Ave., La Mesa, Calif. 92103 We service what we sell RU:~Y& Q a~~~~: BMW Specialties 411 West Whittier Blvd. Montebello, Calif. 90640 (213) 724-9474 Motorcycle Parts & Service Specializing in Yamaha and off road equipment 7872 Orangethorpe Buena Park (714) 522-1041 a division of A.V. Carnicello Inc. G .I • SAfEWAY SPORT CYCLES ~ALES ACCESSORIES ~ otorcycles Yamaha Gemini Mini Trail Suzuki Mini Bikes· Kawasaki OPEN 12 - 7 PM SAT. 8:30 - 6 PM 8227 E. Commonwealth, Buena Park., Ca, Chrome.lt. (714) 523-4030 Gold Lea' ALTA WORLD'S FINEST Ultra-Lightweight Trials Bike $575.00· Available Now (714) 286-1001 SAN OIEGOAlTASUZUKI 4825 EI Cai,on Blvd. . San Oleao C ethe specialtyit JaWa/C-Z'J spedahe machines. The Bike Shop 2021 Via Burton Anaheim, Calif. 92806 (714) 635-1450 (On State College Blvd, 1 blk. north of Riverside Fwy.l get your bike a BOTTLE for Christmas A Cross Country Race Just For 100cc Trailbikes Classes Expert-Amateur, Novice, Over 40 years old, Under 16, Powder Puff, Non-racers (not raced previously) Separate course for different skills - many contingency awards & trophies - finisher awards ,- all cards accepted. cycle guide Sign me up for a full year of Cycle Guide at only $5.00 (a savings of 16% from newsstand price) ., , and bill me later. Name Full publicity plus sponsor awards - sponsored entries $2.00 extra to qualify. Any reguler entry blank with $6.00 fee to: FE PLUS DIV. of Sco/Mar Enterprises, Inc. 15720 Ventura Blvd., Encino. Calif. 91316 RV Enterprises P.O. Box 3882 Torrance, Calif. 90510 (213) 370-8234 North of Adelanto on Hwy. 395 Address City Slale Zip