Motorcycle Repair: timming, harley riders, white paint

Question
I have a 1989 fxrs,stock evo with an SS-SHORTY-E carb.Vance abd Hines two into one pipes and an E-3 cam. I have trouble timming the engine. I have tried putting a dot of white paint on the timming marks and still have a lot of trouble seeing them with a timming light and a clear plug.Is there any other way to time an engine.If there is , what do i need and how do it?
                     Thanks,
                     Lou Steele


Answer
You are having the same problem that has plauged harley riders for years. What you are doing is correct, but it is hard to see through the plug. I have had the same trouble, but now I use a electronic meter to do my timing. Problem is its expensive.
I have, in the past, timed a bike with the help of a friend. Its messy, but it works.
Remove the timing plug. Get your timing light ready as well as the other person on the cam side. Hold your finger over the hole and start the bike. When the bike is running remove your finger and hold your timing light on the mark. You are going ot get a mist of oil out of the hole, but you can see the mark. Get the timing set and shut off the bike.
Like I said, its messy, but it works.
Good luck and happy riding
Mike