Light for points opening.

[JulianS]

I use the Magneto Guys timing light and I am very pleased with it. Initially I used it with an SRM timng disc but it is always a worry when you discover the timing is different between the cylinders even though it does not seem to cause problems in use.

Now use rod through plug hole as per the 1963 BSA service hint below.

[bikerbob]

It is also worth mentioning that when setting the correct piston position ie BTDC you should take the piston below the correct setting then bring the piston up to BTDC this eliminates any backlash in the timing gears.

[Greybeard]

With the plugs out, back wheel off the deck, putting the bike into 4th gear allows easy movement of the crankshaft by rotating the wheel. Go back a bit then forward to the BTDC position.

Don't forget to wedge open the arm of the auto advance unit, if there is one. The tapered end of a wooden clothes peg is a suitable wedge.

Apologies for the repeat but it is essential that you set the points gap before the timing; adjusting the gap affects the timing.

[Yeti]

Many a happy hour spent with a Dremmel grinding the slip ring ramps to get the timing the same on both cylinders. Whether it makes any difference??

[groily]

In the link is the buzzer I have been using for years - a handy choice for anyone in north America maybe - although they'll export to anywhere. If anyone wanted.
They come as a kit, and are keenly priced for them as don't mind a bit of not-too-hard soldering.
Useful plus is that you can synchronise 2 mags with it, so it's very popular with folk playing with aircraft, or vehicles with twin mags & plugs, like eg vintage 3 litre Bentleys.
It's a good long-lasting tool (mine's over 10 years old, and much used) and good value I reckon.
www.magnetotimer.com or
http://www.brewingtontech.com/Pictures.html

[groily]

Whether it makes any difference??

It'll make a difference Yeti, sure.
You can get 'em to 'spot-on' if you're patient and you'll get better tickover and you'll reduce risk of piston or valve trouble at higher speeds, especially on higher compression engines if there's a big difference.
Have to remember a degree on a K2F mag is 2° on the crank on any 4 stroke twin, so a small error can affect timing quite a bit.

The Question always, however, is 'Is it really the camring that is the problem?' , because it often isn't.

This irregular heartbeat thing is one of the reasons a lot of people are going Thorspark or similar these days - with which I have much sympathy despite a certain personal bias. Or, more appealing to me, the 'Joe Hunt route'. I was with a good friend yesterday who uses a scarily-tuned early 650 Triumph outfit for 'beach racing' - for which he uses a Hunt twin-spark mag. Best of all worlds maybe? I am much tempted by them as they pack a serious punch and don't look ridiculous, rather like an SR2 Lucas in fact  . . .  Also, all parts are available by return post from the good 'ole U S of A. I am slightly surprised not to have come across more of them over here in Europe to be honest because they are dead easy to work on and fairly bullet-proof.

[Rex]

Hunts are a bit primitive Groily, in my experience. No advance or retard facility on the two I've had, and they're ugly sods too.
Not so bad on A range BSAs but on Trumpet twins they're vulnerable and weakly mounted on the timing cover.

[mikeb]

Ewen -  if you are so inclined to DIY you could have a look at the PDF attached and (being a kiwi) source and adapt a jaycar kit (KJ8204) to make a magneto timing buzzer. I think the PDF is from the Queensland BSA owners club site from some years ago. worked for me.
tho buying the one mentioned would be less work.

[groily]

Hunts are a bit primitive Groily, in my experience. No advance or retard facility on the two I've had, and they're ugly sods too.
Not so bad on A range BSAs but on Trumpet twins they're vulnerable and weakly mounted on the timing cover.

Dunno about primitive Rex, I guess they are a bit as they're simple, but all the same they're much like most other fixed coil and magnetic rotor jobs, many of which are 'fixed' timing and need an ATD. The flange on the flanged Hunts is narrower than on a Lucas it is true, but I haven't heard of one breaking, and they're fitted to some quite hairy motors. They look pretty much like the SR2 on some later Oilfields, and a zillion base-mount SR1s on singles. Maybe they're all ugly sods!
But the real advantage is the wasted spark, and the power of the coil, especially their red 'competition' version.

[Triton Thrasher]

on Trumpet twins they're vulnerable and weakly mounted on the timing cover.

That would be on Unit Triumphs.

[Yeti]

I dont know about a kit for a buzzer, I just bought a cheap (around £0;80) buzzer from an electrical repair shop, a torch battery and a bit of wire and two small croc clips I had lying about.