Expert: Mike Wells - 10/10/2006

Question
Hi Mike
I finally got my bike back together after painting and doing the top end. my bike is a 81 xlh with stock ignition system except a a crane dual fire coil. i can't seem to set the ignition timing with a regular timing light to see the front cylinder advance timing mark i moving sensor plate from one end to the other end and still can't get the line in view. but i can see with my other timing light that has a advance unit built in it by turn the knob to 30 - 40 deg mark. i'm also runing the motor at about 2000 to 2200 rpm to set the timing. also when i first started the motor up it turn my new pipes blue.
some more information what i did to the motor. i had the jug  bored 40 over keith black pistons 9 to 1. valve job done with valves guide and new manley valves and springs. Andrews Y cams 262 @.053 .425 valve lift. stock Keith carb with adjustable idle and main jet also has a Andrews hi flow acceleator pump.
thank
craig

Answer
Your pipes turning blue is a indication that you are running a little lean. With the change of the cam you should rejet.
As to the timing at 2000 you should be able to see the timing mark. Are you using a clear plug in the hole? The plug makes it really hard to see the timing mark and you might be missing it. How is the bike running otherwise? You might be off a mark on the one of the cams
Mike