Timing the 117
- Thread starter nobbyjohn
- Start date
nobbyjohn
Active Member
mleach72
Well-Known Member
The ignition timing on the 117's is preset into the stock thunderheart ignition and can't be adjusted. You need to change ignition modules to be able to adjust the timing. Curtis at wildsteedworx.com carries the Thunderheart Programmable Ignition, which is adjustable and plug-n-play.
John, I'll answer a few questions I have and see if this makes sense ignition application wise:
1. Can you see adjust slots where the unit is bolted onto? No. Then it is non-adjust and advance is all taken care of as per spec timing, or there'd be bike after bike [yours] blowing up, pinging so bad it would freeze the rings in their grooves by that type of hammering... Beat crap out of it, you are good to go.
2. Yes, I do have slots. Then the question is; am I going to have tons of performance parts going in it and use racing fuel? Yes. Then you need to adjust the timing some to keep finding little bits of HP for thousands of dollars.
3. No, I'm not going there, just time it and ride it. Remember, I do have slots. In that case, see the shadow imprints on the plate with the slots? Realign those and see how fast it fires off....
a. If it cranks some and fires off, first is to move it more advanced. Which way is advance? Say you are looking at the center bolt that spins. No matter the direction, move the plate the opposite clock position.
b. It cranks but wants to kick back and backfires. It says it wants to fire the bike backwards and that is way too advanced.
c. It lights off so fast, it just seems like you can hear the compression sort of stop the engine from turning and boom! That's the sweet spot and plate movement is more like the thickness of a card in the incremental movements.
Fuck that timing mark. We play it by ear. Insert Disclaimer here.
1. Can you see adjust slots where the unit is bolted onto? No. Then it is non-adjust and advance is all taken care of as per spec timing, or there'd be bike after bike [yours] blowing up, pinging so bad it would freeze the rings in their grooves by that type of hammering... Beat crap out of it, you are good to go.
2. Yes, I do have slots. Then the question is; am I going to have tons of performance parts going in it and use racing fuel? Yes. Then you need to adjust the timing some to keep finding little bits of HP for thousands of dollars.
3. No, I'm not going there, just time it and ride it. Remember, I do have slots. In that case, see the shadow imprints on the plate with the slots? Realign those and see how fast it fires off....
a. If it cranks some and fires off, first is to move it more advanced. Which way is advance? Say you are looking at the center bolt that spins. No matter the direction, move the plate the opposite clock position.
b. It cranks but wants to kick back and backfires. It says it wants to fire the bike backwards and that is way too advanced.
c. It lights off so fast, it just seems like you can hear the compression sort of stop the engine from turning and boom! That's the sweet spot and plate movement is more like the thickness of a card in the incremental movements.
Fuck that timing mark. We play it by ear. Insert Disclaimer here.