Author Topic: The automatic timing device?  (Read 992 times)

Offline Andreas Larsen

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The automatic timing device?
« on: 21.04. 2014 18:31 »
Hey guys,
This is a quite newbie question. I've recently had some trouble with my a10 - one cylinder running hotter than the other and trouble starting. So a couple days ago a friend and I went to check on the valves and ignition timing. The inlet were set fine but the exhaust were very tight so we reset them according to my manual .010"in and .016"e. But when we went to adjust the ignition I discovered that the ATD springs were way too slack and when the unit was off the bike the springs wouldn't return the weights to the rest position, so new springs are in the mail.
But here's my question. How should the ATD look and feel? how tight should the weights be to wedge out and how should they spring back? And also how should the weights fit in the unit? Should you be able to move the weights from side to side?

As I'm quite new to the old bikes I don't know the basics as well yet so any help is much appreciated.  :D

I hope this makes some sense, otherwise I'll try to explain better.
'58 A10 swingarm

Offline bsa-bill

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Re: The automatic timing device?
« Reply #1 on: 21.04. 2014 18:54 »
Hi  Andreas, the running position of the weights is out so them not returning is not a big problem unless they stick out, you would know this had happened when you tried to start the bike as it would be in advance and kick back almost all the time.
Don't quite know how to describe  the tension on them others might be more desrcitive but it's not difficult to pull them back
All the best - Bill
1961 Flash - stock, reliable, steady, fantastic for shopping
1959 Rocket Gold Flash - blinged and tarted up  would have seizure if taken to  Tesco

Online RichardL

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Re: The automatic timing device?
« Reply #2 on: 21.04. 2014 18:59 »
Andeas:

Here is a link to a forum post and YouTube video I did when I was in the same fix. I hope this actually helps, or you find it interesting, or it makes you laugh. If any of those, I will feel like it did some good.

http://www.a7a10.net/forum/index.php?topic=937.msg6301#msg6301

Richard L.

Offline bsa-bill

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Re: The automatic timing device?
« Reply #3 on: 21.04. 2014 19:56 »
Well done Richard I watched that again defo a pictures worth a thousand words
All the best - Bill
1961 Flash - stock, reliable, steady, fantastic for shopping
1959 Rocket Gold Flash - blinged and tarted up  would have seizure if taken to  Tesco

Offline Andreas Larsen

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Re: The automatic timing device?
« Reply #4 on: 21.04. 2014 19:58 »
Awesome, thanks guys!
To Bill - It did kick back every time I kicked it over, so I stopped trying to start it entirely until I get the new springs.
'58 A10 swingarm

Offline Andreas Larsen

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Re: The automatic timing device?
« Reply #5 on: 21.04. 2014 20:08 »
My ATD looked nothing like yours, so I'm sure that's the issue. Fingers crossed, that should do the trick
'58 A10 swingarm

Offline ShaunMac

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Re: The automatic timing device?
« Reply #6 on: 21.04. 2014 20:47 »
Just remembered I need to weld mine up before I put it back on with the Boyer kit!
61 Super Rocket swing-arm

Online chaterlea25

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Re: The automatic timing device?
« Reply #7 on: 21.04. 2014 22:15 »
Hi Andreas,
I believe 10 and 16 thou are the settings for the early engines
The bike in your avatar looks like a later model???

John
1961 Super Rocket
1963 RGS (ongoing)

Offline Andreas Larsen

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Re: The automatic timing device?
« Reply #8 on: 22.04. 2014 09:48 »
mine is a 58 iron head. Should it rather be set at .008in .010e?
'58 A10 swingarm

Online morris

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Re: The automatic timing device?
« Reply #9 on: 22.04. 2014 17:38 »
I set mine .010 all around
No issue to report
'58 BSA A 10 SA
'52 BSA A 10 Plunger
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Offline Andreas Larsen

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Re: The automatic timing device?
« Reply #10 on: 22.04. 2014 21:19 »
Roger that - I'll reset em when I get the new springs for the ATD.  :)
'58 A10 swingarm