Engine break-in and seating of rings...

What's the best way for me to set my optimum ignition timing? I tried a timing light but I couldn't see the flywheel line thru the sight glass.
Should I just go by ear or is there a better way?
Thanks.

rotate the the wheei till the line shows up with the plug out and mark it with a dab of white out not going to hurt the motor with just a dab . and give the ol shovel the timing it wants start at stock and go from there your ass and ear will tell ya if its correct .

Thank you.

take the plug out & get your 35 degree mark in the window,then take off inspection cover & with white out,mark your alt rotor & inner primary.put timming plug back in and time it with the light thru the inspection cover (make sure you drain primary fluid first)

Well that's less of a mess for sure. !

if ya do it that way,you`ll never go back to timing thru the hole again

Different strokes, I guess ha-ha. Of course, I still use points & battery ignition. I time my shovel statically - no need for a timing light. Tattoo showed me how and he's been timing his for 35 years that way. It's a one man operation, too.

with any mech. advance type ignition (points,DYNA S,ect) I also static time them,just make sure your timing them advaced against the stops of the adv.mech.also,get rid of the points,get a DYNA S,you`ll s**t on how much better the bike runs

Oh yeah, always time statically with the cam all the way advanced. I have a little gizmo that holds the cam in the advanced postition while I set the plate with a test light.

It turns out Santa is not going to get me the Crane Hi-4n EI I wanted . I guess I've been a bad boy this year! EI is going to have to wait until January or so . . .

On the positive side, Santa will get me some new jeans and flannel lined slippers .

tell her ya rather have a ignition (go with a dyna S)

I have S&S wheels. Is the 35 degree mark the line or the dot?
Thanks!

the line

Approx. what is a good advance for a shovel, 31 degrees btdc?

depends,if its a stocker,35.bigger,higher compression motors 32.basicly run as high as you can without detionation

I'm breaking in the motor still while the tins are being painted.
I have an old gas tank that was rusty inside.
What happens if a lil rust gets in the gas and is run thru the motor?
Is that a major concern or no?
Thanks.

you answerd your own question . fill an old 90 weight gear oil bottle after you fill it poke a hole at the top for a vent .and wire it to the frame upside down . run the motor with it .

Thanks Paul!