Wz507, Erik, Ferrous Head and others,
Thanks for your input. Yes, probably I seem hard headed on the issue of installing a magneto with proper timing. Believe me, I am listening, but some comments leave me with more questions.
Back in the late 60's, my brother had a 66 XLCH with factory magneto. It was important to retard the spark using the left hand grip before starting or you could get a nasty kick. I am 68 now and want to protect my knees and other old bones.
With the spark retarded, it would start easily and would smooth out when the spark was advanced.
I don't know the "start" setting or the run setting but I was surprised over the values posted.
I must be wrong, but 10 degrees before TDC for starting seems like an advanced spark, not retarded. And then 25 degrees before TDC seems huge. But I have made note of this and will use it if experience supports it.
And thanks for your input. Maybe there are marks on the flywheel that I have forgotten
How would I find 25 degrees BTDC? As I recall, (and my memory gets worse every day) removing the left side plug will show a line stamped into the flywheel for TDC of the front piston and there are no subdivisions for degrees. So what is the trick to flashing the flywheel with my timing light and identifying 25 degrees?
Thanks for everyone's input. I am keeping a file on all of this so that one day I might approach your knowledge level.