Help with timing light...

I have a 77 kz650b and I am installing a Dyna-s ignition with two new Dyna green 3ohm coils.Looks like Im gonna need a timing light.So,I figured I would ask you guys what a decent timing light,with ease of operation,is good for these old bikes!Here in Buffalo we have:Advance auto ,AutoZone,Napa,Carquest,Sears,Harbor Freight.Im wondering what model to purchase and from where?
Also any tips for the install to a rookie who's never used a timing light in his life!!???
Thanks Guys
Tony

you can use just about any light, the better the light the more money you are going to spend.
I would just make sure it has a inductive pick up.

Nothing fancy about making it work, red to pos black to neg on battery pick up to spark plug wire.

BoZ650 wrote:

...Also any tips for the install to a rookie who's never used a timing light in his life!!???...

Well, from one novice mechanic to another... my very first timing light I bought was the wrong kind... I didn't even know there *was* a different kind... anyway, I bought one that is apparently designed for old engines with different ignitions, and it had a green alligator clip as well as the two battery terminals. Never could get it to work right, and somebody finally told me it was the wrong kind.

So the *other*, correct, timing light comes with two options, regular or self-powered. You probably see the self-powered ones on eBay alot, they use an internal battery. The regular ones that you'll buy at the auto stores have the two alligator clips (red and black) for the battery, and the one big plastic clamp (the *inductive* pickup that BSKZ650 mentioned) for clamping around the spark plug wire that you're checking.

Here's the one I bought from AutoZone:


Post edited by: Biquetoast, at: 2007/11/14 08:26

I doubt there is a lick of difference from one timing light to another if you buy it in any autoparts store. I have never seen a timing light that wasn't the inductive type. This means there is a spring loaded clip that you fasten around a spark plug wire. You put the battery leads on and when a charge goes down the wire, it fires the strobe light in the timing light.

there are a lot of types, the one I use is digital and I can advance or retard the setting only using the TDC mark, and it was expensive, I also have a sears older model plain light has worked for years.
Years ago I had one that had a spring that you put in between the plug and the wire, it was cheap cheap cheap and a POS.

The self powered ones mentioned are more set up for use with mags, since there is not a battery source to plug into

I bought the one from Z1E, works great.

www.z1enterprises.com/SearchResult.aspx?...Words=timing%20light

If you get the one with the advance knob, make sure it's taped to zero. If you bump the knob unwittingly, the timing will be off.

Also if you decide to verify the timing using the advance knob, remember the scale on the knob is off by a factor of two. You have to divide the knob markings by 2, to get the right reading.

Ok guys thanks alot!!Ill choose one and pick it up but im sure Ill be back for more technical advice.As always you have given me alot of info and again I thank you.Ill let you know how it worked out!!!

Be rooting for you on Sunday!

Patton-Are ya talking about the Bills?Im a life long fan but even I am realistic!!The Pats are just too good.They are like a finley tuned Kawi!!!But anything could happen,would definitley be an upset!!!