Hey guys!
I guess this would be my introductory post. I have been researching and lurking the last few weeks.
I have a bobber and a chopper that are FI'd that I put together over the years. I do have novice-intermediate mechanical knowledge. I've rebuilt carbs on lots of bikes, I have picked up a few bikes in boxes and put them together. Engines were always working. Just needed to be put together.
So I picked up a rebel for my wife about 2 months ago. She doesn't like the feel of it and had been asking for a Cafe, so I traded the rebel for a stock 73 CB350 not running and cash. The guy swore it ran when parked (which they all do). Motor turns freely, battery was toast, wouldn't start with fluid. I opened the points cover and saw that it had a gap so figured that is what it was. Mind you I knew ( and still dont know) much of anything about points. I just know they are supposed to open and shut while turning. So I decided I would take the chance and take on the project. At the very least I would learn about older bikes and pick up some more mechanical knowledge. It also gives me a reason to be out in my favorite place, the garage.
So get it home and swap out the battery. Pulled the plugs. Looks like the guy put brand new plugs in. Right side is dark left side looked like it was new. Started reading about gapping points and setting the points. I believe I have the concept down. Looks simple enough. So hooked the light up, started with LF and started to notice something really funky. I couldn't get it timed properly. It seemed like when I set gap for LF, it would stay open for a full revolution. I checked and double checked to make sure I was on the right stroke. Same thing! Mind you im not turning with starter but by wrench. Not sure if that detail matters. Spent a few hours wondering what it could be played with adjusting the plate etc.. I figured maybe the points were worn, so I bought some from DCC and got them last night. Excited to start again I installed them. SAME THING! I compared my new points to old and they look like they are relatively new.
Not sure of the proper lingo I did a bunch of googling last night and this morning. I found that someone said it could be the advancer plate. So started looking at that. The numbers are on top and the notch on the cam is pointing straight down. On the advancer plate last night I noticed someone had used a sharpie to mark a spot at about 3 oclock. So to kind of give you an idea, the 286 is at about 11ish oclock, the mark on the cam is at 6, then there is a sharpie mark at about 3. I really dont know if any of these details are pertinent, but figured I would try.
I'm sure this has to be addressed somewhere as to what my problem could be. I just don't know the way to word it, the name of the parts etc. If I knew, I would be doing, not typing lol.
Anyway I was wondering if you guys could give me some suggestions and trouble shooting. Also Clymer manual is on the way in the mail.
Thank you to anyone that helps.
I guess this would be my introductory post. I have been researching and lurking the last few weeks.
I have a bobber and a chopper that are FI'd that I put together over the years. I do have novice-intermediate mechanical knowledge. I've rebuilt carbs on lots of bikes, I have picked up a few bikes in boxes and put them together. Engines were always working. Just needed to be put together.
So I picked up a rebel for my wife about 2 months ago. She doesn't like the feel of it and had been asking for a Cafe, so I traded the rebel for a stock 73 CB350 not running and cash. The guy swore it ran when parked (which they all do). Motor turns freely, battery was toast, wouldn't start with fluid. I opened the points cover and saw that it had a gap so figured that is what it was. Mind you I knew ( and still dont know) much of anything about points. I just know they are supposed to open and shut while turning. So I decided I would take the chance and take on the project. At the very least I would learn about older bikes and pick up some more mechanical knowledge. It also gives me a reason to be out in my favorite place, the garage.
So get it home and swap out the battery. Pulled the plugs. Looks like the guy put brand new plugs in. Right side is dark left side looked like it was new. Started reading about gapping points and setting the points. I believe I have the concept down. Looks simple enough. So hooked the light up, started with LF and started to notice something really funky. I couldn't get it timed properly. It seemed like when I set gap for LF, it would stay open for a full revolution. I checked and double checked to make sure I was on the right stroke. Same thing! Mind you im not turning with starter but by wrench. Not sure if that detail matters. Spent a few hours wondering what it could be played with adjusting the plate etc.. I figured maybe the points were worn, so I bought some from DCC and got them last night. Excited to start again I installed them. SAME THING! I compared my new points to old and they look like they are relatively new.
Not sure of the proper lingo I did a bunch of googling last night and this morning. I found that someone said it could be the advancer plate. So started looking at that. The numbers are on top and the notch on the cam is pointing straight down. On the advancer plate last night I noticed someone had used a sharpie to mark a spot at about 3 oclock. So to kind of give you an idea, the 286 is at about 11ish oclock, the mark on the cam is at 6, then there is a sharpie mark at about 3. I really dont know if any of these details are pertinent, but figured I would try.
I'm sure this has to be addressed somewhere as to what my problem could be. I just don't know the way to word it, the name of the parts etc. If I knew, I would be doing, not typing lol.
Anyway I was wondering if you guys could give me some suggestions and trouble shooting. Also Clymer manual is on the way in the mail.
Thank you to anyone that helps.