Motorcycle Repair: CB500/550 Four - ignition timing, genuine honda parts, point gap

Question
A previous query mentioned the notion of filing out the slots in the plate in order to retard the timing enough to align the timing marks, well I have done this - now with the points gap at 16thou I can set the timing spot on, I thought my points were worn but the previous query had brand new points set correctly and he had the same problem!-how can this be?(I'm considering enlarging the inspection hole now so the timing marks aren't partially obscured!)

Answer
John, I've never had to make any modifications to either the point plate or points to get the timing right.  It's possible aftermaket points don't hold the same tolerances genuine honda parts have so accomdations may be required.  The point gap should be set to .014 inch. The larger the gap the more advanced the timing.  If you get too small of a gap the dwell won't be right and you'll have too short of a charge time on the coils and the spark plug voltage will be low.

I've seen points that had bent contacts that changed the geometry of the points and caused problems timing an engine.  You can tell pretty easily if the points are bent.  If you look closely where the contacts touch they should be parallel and contact close to center of the points and not at an edge.

Enlarging the inspection hole can't hurt if that's what you need to do.  

Regards
Rich