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General Category => Maintenance => Topic started by: Burns on May 28, 2014, 08:01:54 PM

Title: spark advance question
Post by: Burns on May 28, 2014, 08:01:54 PM
two or three times lately when I restart my bike it struggles to turn over. It acts like the ignition timing is advanced.
I've had that issue with mechanical (throw-weight type) advancers in the past when their return springs get weak.  Is this bike's advancer prone to hanging up on full advance?
Title: Re: spark advance question
Post by: FJ_Hooligan on May 28, 2014, 08:06:24 PM
No.  The ignition is all electronic.  Try cracking the throttle open slightly while cranking.
Title: Re: spark advance question
Post by: Country Joe on May 28, 2014, 08:36:21 PM
If cracking the throttle doesn't help, it's probably your starter begging for some attention. If you haven't been In the starter lately, check for loose connections, dry bushings, worn brushes, dirty commutator bars. If you find much wrong with it, I recommend replacing it with a 4 brush starter from Randy at RPM.
Title: Re: spark advance question
Post by: Burns on May 28, 2014, 10:13:44 PM
Thanks folks. I'll take a look at the electric leg.
Title: Re: spark advance question
Post by: ribbert on May 28, 2014, 11:25:26 PM
Quote from: Burns on May 28, 2014, 08:01:54 PM
two or three times lately when I restart my bike it struggles to turn over. It acts like the ignition timing is advanced.
I've had that issue with mechanical (throw-weight type) advancers in the past when their return springs get weak.  Is this bike's advancer prone to hanging up on full advance?

Burns, I assume by you use of the word "restart", you are talking about a hot motor. If this is the case it will certainly be the starter.
Noel
Title: Re: spark advance question
Post by: Burns on May 29, 2014, 12:08:04 PM
Quote from: ribbert on May 28, 2014, 11:25:26 PM
Quote from: Burns on May 28, 2014, 08:01:54 PM
two or three times lately when I restart my bike it struggles to turn over. It acts like the ignition timing is advanced.
I've had that issue with mechanical (throw-weight type) advancers in the past when their return springs get weak.  Is this bike's advancer prone to hanging up on full advance?

Burns, I assume by you use of the word "restart", you are talking about a hot motor. If this is the case it will certainly be the starter.
Noel

That's correct R. Occasionally, with the motor at normal operating temp (a run to the store e.g.) the starter struggles as if pulling against a high load, then "breaks free" (for lack of a better description) and spins normally.  From the replies here I'm thinking a bushing may need a bit of emery paper. While I'm in there might as well freshen the brushes.

Title: Re: spark advance question
Post by: andyb on May 29, 2014, 01:51:59 PM
Yup, pop the starter out, get the fooey out of the bits, and replace whatever's necessary in the process--maybe brushes, maybe the oring.  Usual rules apply too; if the connector is rusted, if the battery is iffy, etc, you'll have a harder time than you should ought.


The only spark lead adjustment possible with the original bits requires changing the intial timing by slotting the trigger rotor (left side of the motor if you're sitting in the seat).  Easy thing to do, and pretty worthwhile for most.
Title: Re: spark advance question
Post by: Burns on May 30, 2014, 10:07:08 PM
"The only spark lead adjustment possible with the original bits requires changing the intial timing by slotting the trigger rotor (left side of the motor if you're sitting in the seat).  Easy thing to do, and pretty worthwhile for most."

can you point me to a thread on that topic?  From you comment I gather that the motor responds well to a bit more advance than Yamaha sent it out into the world with.
Title: Re: spark advance question
Post by: Bones on May 30, 2014, 11:58:29 PM
We did a few ignition advance mods at one of our manshed days. Easy to do and gives the bike a little bit more pep especially down low.

Some info about it.

http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=4292.0 (http://www.fjowners.com/index.php?topic=4292.0)
Title: Re: spark advance question
Post by: Burns on May 31, 2014, 01:49:31 PM
GREAT thread!

Free Ponies down low, what's not to love?

Any "ping" or other indication of a higher octane requirement? 
Title: Re: spark advance question
Post by: Bones on May 31, 2014, 04:35:51 PM
No, but we didn't file the slots out as far as in the pictures either, we only went to the edge of the shadow left from the washer. Either way, if you do file more out and it starts pinging just loosen the screws and back it off a bit :good:                                         
                                                     Tony.
Title: Re: spark advance question
Post by: Burns on May 31, 2014, 05:51:56 PM
 I guess  I was a little retarded not to figure that out for myself.

Thanks a bunch.
Title: Re: spark advance question
Post by: ribbert on May 31, 2014, 08:00:47 PM
Quote from: Burns on May 31, 2014, 05:51:56 PM
I guess  I was a little retarded not to figure that out for myself.

Thanks a bunch.


Very good