Motorcycle Repair: Advance Unit, ironhead sportster, roll pins

Question
Hi Mike,
I have a 1971 Ironhead Sportster, kick and electric start. The bike was spitting and coughing so I took a look at the points and condensor and they looked OK, so then I took off the breaker plate and found that the springs were broken so I bought a hole new advance unit and installed it and now I can't get it to start at all. I am getting spark to the plugs, but it's not firing at all. I figure it's timing but I can't get it started to time it. Also I read in my manual that if you put ferrules on the roll pins that it will help with the coughing and hesitation when you kick on the throttle because it holds it in a slightly advanced position. Any insight on how to get this thing started would be helpful. Thank you,
Brad  

Answer
What you need to do is static time it first.
Start by sliding up the cover on the front exhaust pushrod.
Now rotate the motor until the front exhaust pushrod is closing. Now looking through the timing plug watch for them timing mark as you keep rotating the motor. Center the mark in the hole. Now go the the points plate. Rotate the plate counter clockwise. Now rotate the part that the points rub on. Holding it, rotate the timing plate just until the points start to open. Now you have it static timed. You should be able to start the bike now and set the timing with a timing light.
Good luck and happy riding
Mike