Motorcycle Repair: Ignition timing, using a digital multimeter, volt ohm meter

Question
Hi Rich, I'm working with a 1976 CB550K Honda. I'm very mechanical minded, but have an issue with this thing that doesn't seem to make any sense. I have installed new breaker points and am trying to set the ignition timing. I'm using a digital multimeter to check when the points just start to open as the points start coming up on the high point of the advance unit cam. The base plate for the points will not swing far enough for the adjustment. The points are opening too early. I have had the advance unit out and checked it, there are no problems there (everything is moving and returning as it should). The advance unit is dowel pin located properly to the crank. The new points are exactly the same as the originals (arm length etc...) It doesn't make any sense to me because the advance unit is driven directly from the crank, it's position cannot have changed. The points are opening about midway between the advance timing marks and the "F" mark, but that is with the base plate swung all the way over against the lock down screws. It's mind boggling, I even went so far as to orient the cam on the advance unit 180 deg to see if it was in backwards, but that puts it totally wrong, so that's not it. Have you ever seen this problem? (I can't get past trying to time the 1 - 4 cylinders because of this) Point gap is set to the minimum of .012" which helped a tad from the original .014" I set them at, but it still has a long way to go for the timing. Can you help?? Thanks! -Warren

Answer
Warren, you need to start over.  First, there are two slots in the backing plate.  Center that up in the slot on the block or just put the screws in the midpoint in the backing plate slots.  Second, adjust both point gaps to .014 to start.  I wouldn't recommend using a volt ohm meter. I use a light mounted on a battery post and a wire with a clip to attach to the points to determine when the points open. Then I check it with a timing light to make sure the timing is advancing correctly. A VOM is too sensitive because the condenser will conduct some current and give false reading.

There are two adjustments on the point plate.  The backing plate adjusts only one set of points.  Set those points first. Then there's another adjuster plate under the second set of points.  If you can't get the timing to come in with a reasonable amount of adjustment on the backing plate. Check to make sure the points aren't bent. If everything looks okay, you can increase or decrease the point gaps a little to get the timing to come in.

Regards
Rich