Matchless help!

[Qball]

So I am almost back to running the matchless.  Only one problem, The new cams have 3 marks where the last ones only had 2.  Like it wasn't hard enough last year with only two marks Now does anyone that helped last year, remember how we fixed the timing.  As it was nearly 2 in the morning before heading to the races when we fixed it, I can't remember. 

I have set it up almost every way that makes sense.....  and after doing the timing about 6 times now I am starting to lose my mind.  If no one else remembers, I will try again tomorrow and start from square one. 

Currently the bike tries to start by popping out the carb (same problem as last year)  I think it was Paul that finally figured out the timing last year?

It is getting close!

Thanks in advance boys.

[SuperFly]

If you go into the montevideorent link..:

    http://pgbritishmc.canadian-forum.com/t6-ajs-matchless#10                                   

  ...Page 21-22....It shows a High lift Cam with 3 Marks....# 2 for a 500....is that what you are looking for?

[Qball]

Thanks man,  part of the problem is that the bike is such a modge podge.  the standard setting does not seem to work.  the manual says put both intake and exhaust on setting 2.  But that has both inlet and exhaust opening at the same time.

[Hans]

As I recall, we set the cam timing by going back to first principles and figuring out where the cams should be at TDC.  Following that, the marks did line up and correspond to one of the descriptions in your book. 

[Qball]

thats what I thought.....  I am ready to shoot the damn bike!  I have them both back to the number two setting (like the manual calls for) 
compression valves closed
power stroke valves closed
exhaust stroke the exhaust valve opens It seems a little late but it opens
intake stroke the intake starts opening while exhaust is closing (i figure tis is ok?)  the exhaust closes and the intake opens completely. 
intake valve closes and we start again.


ignition timing is set to 7/16 " BTDC as the book says 1/2" max.
I was running SH cams before (shit hot)
now running HL (high lift)
the SH and HL have same overall lift but the SH (used for racing and scramblers) holds them open longer and tends to burn out pistons.  I wouldn't think valves being closed longer would cause backfire?

I have to be missing something simple!

[Qball]

So Thanks to Paul I got her up and running.  the timing gears were all wrong and the new auto advance had one too many teeth.  hence I couldn't get the ignition right. 

Now it needs new head gasket.  I kicked it over and its puffing out the top end.  How can I blow a gasket without running the darn bike? 

It won't rev up proper so I am figuring that it is due to the head gasket and I will check the fuel filter.  It seems to middle but then craps out when I twist the throttle. 

Its getting closer.

[Qball]

So the bike fires, but won't rev up.  Seems like it is bogging down and running eradically.  I cleaned the carb...It is an Amal carb so not a lot to it......Exhaust is on the black side (flooding?)
I did do a slow lap of my track but it doesn't seem to want run proper.  Any ideas out there?

The only things changed from last year at vernon where it ran great but was stuck in one gear, is new magneto and new cam gears.  the cam gears are a little less racey but are the high lift cams still vs last years super high lift. 

would timing be doing this?

[Kaw-meister]

Could be late timing....would explain both lack of rpm and black smoke.

[Qball]

So today I tried messing around with the timing and even resorted to trying the old cams.  no luck,  now its not running at all.  I'm loosing my mind.  going for bike night tomorrow with a buddy and hopefully the two of us can figure it out.  Anyone familiar with the lucas SR1 mag?  it should have the same cam for the ignition timing as my original right?  Im thinking maybe that is it?  I even pulled the plug and was kicking it over to see the spark fire near TDC.  I can pull the bike apart and back together now in about 20 min.  becoming a pro.....just can't get it running.  I will also run another compression test tomorrow.

getting very frustrated!  this shouldn't be this complicated.

[Dennis]

Keep at it.  You are right, it should not be that complicated.  I am waiting for your Eureka post; when you finally figure it out.  I am betting it will be something simple in the end.

Your adventure reminds me of last year when the Smithers XS650 would only run on one cylinder and no matter what I did I could not get the 2nd cylinder to fire.  It took beers at the BX Pub with Club members to brainstorm.  Hans had the Eureka moment speculating that magnets in the electronic ignition were in the wrong place.  We went to my shop, punched out one of the magnets and moved it.  The bike ran after that, although as it turns out that was not 100% of the problem.  I was actually missing 2 of 4 magnets, but moving one of the remaining magnets to a 180 degree position permitted the bike to run (with a 180 degrees of dwell instead of the 90 degrees it was manufactured for, but missing the magnets). 

Peace & Perseverance, Dennis

[Qball]

thanks denis
I am sure its something simple but am sure its a simple solution.  3 different bike nights and now  WE can't even get the original sputtering run.  now I have nothing.  My truck is running better..... bike is worse (another story only justified over beer). But I need to take it back to the basics.....keep hoping, i need to figure this out.  I need a WIN THIS WEEK .  Any one that has any off the wall ideas, and i mean ANY.....please let me know.

[Hans]

Hey Q-Ball.... this help out? Sounds like your issue......

http://matchlessclueless.com/mechanical/engine-gearbox/valve-timing-discs/

[Qball]

Thanks Hans,
It will help but my disc is the one not on there.  I'm gonna try with the pre 55 model.  can't hurt.