79 Goldwing ignition timing.

[Jaymz65]

Hi to all. This is my first post and to put it in a nutshell. Is anyone aware of somebody in Northern Ireland who could possibly assist me with my timing issues. My bike is an American import that hadn't run in maybe 15 years. I stripped and rebuilt the carbs and got her running, but not well. So I bit the bullet and paid a professional to rebuild them again as I doubted my own ability. Turns out I should have more faith in myself as she still runs no better. I have replaced the timing belts and everything lines up as it should as well as setting the static timing but to no avail. I'm rapidly running out of ideas, so any advice would be welcome.

[gltriker]

Hello from the eastern United States. No, I can't help you with locating a helper in Northern Ireland.

Welcome to the Club. Your 1979 GL1000 has been Sitting 15 years .okay... Carburetors have been rebuilt twice. Some photos and more information - details -about the motorcycle will be greatly appreciated. What is your source/s of information ? Carburetor rebuild parts are Randakk parts? Carburetor body float bowl retaining screw threads (4 each carburetor) aren't stripped and modified?
Have you seen this Randakk article? https://www.randakksblog.com/starting-a ... /#more-687

Scrolling to bottom of this page you will find a list of Similar Topics discussions about Ignition Timing, too. Do you see anything in those Similar Topics that is useful? There's a very good one down there re: " GL1000 Ignition Timing" from Mike Nixon:
viewtopic.php?t=71589

Doesn't run well is very vague.

Çylinders compression testing is a Best Practice place to start.

Check each of the 8 valves lash clearance first BEFORE performing the individual cylinder compression testing.

After performing those upper engine checks tell us if the original ignition coils and spark plug caps are still in place.

[gltriker]

Tĥis is most likely getting way ahead of where your GL1000 journey will ultimately lead...Do you presently have the equipment and know how to perform a carburetors' runnìng engine idle speed synchronization session?
A "bench synch" won't be good enough.

[Jaymz65]

Thanks for the reply. Firstly, the carbs were rebuilt by a very well respected british company. I have no doubt as to their integrity and came with a full report detailing the internal issues which mostly consisted of dirty internals. Don't think my ultrasonic cleaner was up to the job . Also one of the first things i done was a compression test, yes ì've one of those as well with all four cylinders between 160 and 170psi. Also fitted new fuel filter, air filter oil filter and oil and new plugs and timing belts. The points are slightly pitted but cleaned up ok and are serviceable, although i'm waiting on new ones on back order from david silver. As i said she runs, will tickover fine but when revved gets rough and will backfire on the right side only. While setting the static timing i can't get enough adjustment on right side points so my test light is coming on before reaching the f2 timing mark. Does any of this make sense as i'm seeing timing marks in my sleep. Lol.

[Jaymz65]

Forgot to add that it still has the original coils and plug caps although I'm still convinced it is a timing issue as opposed to a spark quality issue. Also the auto advance unit is moving freely but I do think someone has had problems before as the screws in the adjustment plates that hold the points look like they've been tightened with a spoon rather than the correct phillips screwdriver. Lol

[pidjones]

Problem - Phillips screwdriver? Get a JIS.

[gltriker]

1st thing-We're encouraged to hear each of the 4 engine cylinders have very good compression test result numbers !

I am not hands-on familiar with breaker points gapping and static timing of the GL1000 ignition system, though.
I had installed the Dyna S system and new ignition coils , wires and spark plug caps soon after I bought my not-running '75 .
Yes, encountering mangled screw heads are not confidence inspiring
Mike Nixon's article didn't shed any light?

I purchased an excellent interchangeable bits Vessel branded JIS screw driver I found on Amazon.
search for: VESSEL BALL GRIP 1/4" Hex. Bit Interchangeable Screwdriver (Bit 3PC. (+1, 3 / +2, -6 / PZ2, PZ3) SET. 220W3J1)

[gltriker]

snip- As i said she runs, will tickover fine but when revved gets rough and will backfire on the right side only. While setting the static timing i can't get enough adjustment on right side points so my test light is coming on before reaching the f2 timing mark. Does any of this make sense as i'm seeing timing marks in my sleep. Lol.

'Backfiring' occurs into the carburetors. 'After firing' occurs out the exhaust system. Which one are you describing?

Engine Ticking over fine until revved then gets rough and 'will backfire' needs to be defined. which which is which.

Need to know also, do you have suitable carburetors' engine idle speed synchronizing equipment?
Yes.? Has it been installed and was providing all 4 intake manifolds' measured vacuum feedback while the engine is ticking over?

No, don't have the equipment to check idle speed synchronization? Why is that important you inquire?
If the engine is, in fact, backfiring into a right side carburetor the assigned synchronization gauge for that affected cylinder will abruptly spike each time the true backfire happens.

[gltriker]

Forgot to add that it still has the original coils and plug caps although I'm still convinced it is a timing issue as opposed to a spark quality issue. Also the auto advance unit is moving freely but I do think someone has had problems before as the screws in the adjustment plates that hold the points look like they've been tightened with a spoon rather than the correct phillips screwdriver. Lol

At least, check the resistance reading of all 4 spark plug caps. Unscrewing the spark plug cap off the coil wire and testing its resistance, AND trimming off the old end of the spark plug wire is highly recommended before any, *proved good*, spark plug cap is reinstalled.
https://www.randakksblog.com/coil-testi ... t-options/

simply put here if needed for future reference, too.
https://www.randakksblog.com/ballast-re ... procedure/
https://www.randakksblog.com/gl1000-con ... /#more-610

https://www.randakksblog.com/ignition-q ... technique/
https://www.randakksblog.com/secret-ign ... -revealed/

The points are slightly pitted but cleaned up ok and are serviceable, although i'm waiting on new ones on back order from david silver. Perfect

I'm spent.

[Jaymz65]

Many thanks for all the advice and possible routes of investigation. As for the backfire, it's unburnt fuel making its way through the combustion chamber and igniting in the exhaust or muffler. Which leads me back to the right side points and their lack of adjustment on the mounting plate. Also thanks for the tip reference trimming the plug wires, never would have thought of that. And no. I don't possess a vacuum gauge unfortunately, but the carbs were bench tested and balanced, though I know it's not ideal, I do think that if the ignition timing was correct she would be running a lot better than it is at the moment. My new points arrived this morning so once I've fulfilled all the tasks allocated to me by she who must be obeyed, it's back out to the workshop for another round of head scratching. Thanks again

[gltriker]

You ordered and received both sets of à left and a right side breaker points, correct?

I presume you haven't removed the complete breaker points and baseplate assembly yet.
No. Take a picture of the points'
baseplate locked down in its as presently timed position for our viewing pleasure please. Please

How many miles have been accumulated on this bike's odometer?
Photos of the bike you imported to Northern Ireland will be greatly appreciated, as well

[gltriker]

An engine idle speed carburetors' synchronization setup is highly recommended.
https://www.randakksblog.com/carb-synch ... /#more-383
I utilize a 4 vacuum gauges panel you can purchase inexpensively in the U.S.A

Although I also own a Carbtune.
Pro synchronizing setup, I can't
commit to say, at this moment ,it's any better than a vacuum gauges setup. Why? My bike's engine was/is being stubborn to reawaken after 3 years sitting idle. Anyways...

Not many folks are capable to fine tune the 4 carburetors idle speed synchronization by just referencing exhaust sound only
https://www.randakksblog.com/carb-synch ... /#more-383
.

[gltriker]

" Is anyone aware of somebody in Northern Ireland who could possibly assist me with my timing issues. "

fellow member- highly regarded- Old Fogey is located in Scotland.
His business is named: Wingovations
http://www.wingovations.com/

[gltriker]

Many thanks for all the advice and possible routes of investigation. As for the backfire, it's unburnt fuel making its way through the combustion chamber and igniting in the exhaust or muffler. Which leads me back to the right side points and their lack of adjustment on the mounting plate. Also thanks for the tip reference trimming the plug wires, never would have thought of that. And no. I don't possess a vacuum gauge unfortunately, but the carbs were bench tested and balanced, though I know it's not ideal, I do think that if the ignition timing was correct she would be running a lot better than it is at the moment. My new points arrived this morning so once I've fulfilled all the tasks allocated to me by she who must be obeyed, it's back out to the workshop for another round of head scratching. Thanks again

Just in case head scratching is still in the picture.
You may have already known, or have since figured out this spark plug wires' routing detail.
(Orientation of the spark plug wires placements is incorrectly illustrated in the Clymers GL1000 publication.)
.
The right side points work with the right hand coil. That right hand coil carries the role of sparkling the front right #1 cylinder spark plug and the front left #2 cylinder spark plug.

The left side points work with the left hand coil. That left hand coil sparkles the rear right #3 cylinder spark plug and the rear left #4 cylinder spark plug.

viewtopic.php?t=60469

[Rat]

Welcome to the 'Wingdom.

Hope you get it sorted out.

Gord