Symptom of Advanced or Retarded Ignition

I'm looking for a quick method, other than the obvious timing-light, to tell whether a bike is running too advanced or too retarded, regarding ignition timing? what should I feel say ... Starting up, slowly up a steep incline?
RegardZ.

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Good Fortune!

Can perform static timing method (engine not running), which doesn't require a timing light.

Some possible mis-timing symptoms might include:
With timing advancer stuck in the retarded idle position, the bike won't pull very hard.
With timing too far advanced, the engine may "ping" and suffer pre-detonation
Either could cause engine over-heating.

Good Fortune!

Thanks for your reply, I have listed my bikes 4 x Jaffa's. Sorry, perhaps you are unfamiliar with the term "Jaffa". A Jaffa is the first of the Kawasaki Z1's Built 72-73, 903cc. Orange and Root beer which is also the colour of confectionary in UK & Australia that has an orange candy outer shell and a chocolate centre. Sorry about that! I'll change it!

I have gleed one significant symptom from your answer ... " The bike won't pull well"... when too far advanced.
This is what I am after. Any other quick symptom indicators?

Re-phraseing the question... I am going for a test ride on a 73 Z1 what should I notice as I ride the bike that would tell be whether it is too far advanced or too far retarded.

RegardZ.

Too advanced makes it very hard to start with a lot of backfiring. Too advanced will make it ping under hard acceleration. Too retarded makes sluggish acceleration.

Put front wheel against a concrete wall and slip the clutch a little to load the motor and see how it acts

Stuck at idle position (fully retarded): will start normally, but will not rev to redline. No power on acceleration.

Stuck at fully-advanced (rarely happens): will be very difficult to start. Will kick back real hard.

Thanks gents.
I ride a Z1 around the suburbs no trouble. The other day I went on the expessway allowable speed 110 kph.
I saw a semi-trailor approaching from behind. I had just increased to 120kph and the semi was still coming. I move over to let him go. The point was, I was pushing to keep up with him, my max speed was 110 - 120 kph and I definitely had nothing left. It was a slight incline and a great strip of road.

There was no pinging (haven't heard that for ages) It just would go faster!
Verdict seems to be too far retarded, although I can't yet rule out too far advanced.

I realise you will always lose power whether too advanced or too retarded.
It will rev when no load.

Wireman, what should i expect when I lean the front wheel against a conc wall and let the clutch slowly out?

Garn wrote: ...Z1...max speed was 110 - 120 kph....

Would assure valve clearances being within specs.

Good Fortune!

Valve clearances 0.002 to 0.006" correct.
new coils , DynaS, Carbs balanced and jets OK .. (Probably running a little rich). free wheeling well, no brake binding.
It was a horrible feeling, engine running well, just not accelerating!
I know the proof is in the checking with a timing light, however, I just wanted to find out a notable symptom as I'm riding.
RegardZ.

Clutch slipping? Gas cap vent blocked?

Dirty cabs can cause those symptoms, also make sure your petcock screen and (if you have one) fuel filter are clean; no kinks in fuel line; and fuel level in carbs set correctly using clear tube method. If you decide to put the front wheel against a wall don't get too aggressive with the gas or you may distort the front forks. Ed