Motorcycle Repair: Setting Ignition timing correctly on Shovel, drag specialities, setting ignition timing

Question
Hello Mike
I'm in Switzerland and I have restored a HD-FXE 1978. The engine is giving me some hard times, because the original "Prestolite" electronic ignition gave up, I've changed the ignition to the easier (i thought so...) to fix, points ignition. I use a 5ohm ignition coil and I've installed the "Drag Specialities" mech. replacement ignition. According to the shopmanual, I've set the points gap to 0.45mm (0.02 inch) and adjusted the timing to open the points exactly when the vertical line is centered on the timing hole (on the motorcase), turning the ignition plate clockwise (this is the case, when the little elevation is about at the 1 o-clock position)

Now, the engine is very hard to start, runs very rough and doesn't rev up to the expexted RPM's.

However, doing some testing, I've got better results if I advance the timing (quite a bit)by rotating the ignition plate counterclockwise by about 45 degrees.

I now suspect, that either I've misunderstood the shop manual, or something is wrong with the description ( maybe, should the little dot show up in the window ?).

I would very appreciate, if you could bring in some light in the dark.

Best regards from "Heidiland"

Paulo

Answer
Your a little off on the points gap. It should be .018 .
You are setting the timing right, but what you are doing is setting the static timing. That is the timing when the motor is not running. Static timing will not make the bike run right, its only for getting the bike started. Since you got the motor started what you need to do is either checking timing with a timing light or do like you did. Get the points set right, start the bike and slowly turn the timing plate until the motor smooths out and runs right. then go for a test ride.
Good luck and happy riding
Mike