Timing light question

Up until two weeks ago, the last time I had used a timing light was probably in high school auto shop in the 70's.

I bought a used timing light from a guy and asked him how it works, he said he didn't remember. So I hooked it up to my Honda CB550 like this. Black and red clamps went to respective leads on the battery. Extra lead went onto the cylinder #4 spark plug wire. That didn't work, maybe because the insulation on the plug wire was too thick. So I connected a piece of copper wire to the plug lead and ran it to the outside of the plug wire. Then I reattached the timing light lead. This time it worked and I timed the Honda.

So I tried the same thing with my KZ1000. This time the timing light won't work.

Can anyone suggest what else I should do? I looked in the Kawasaki shop manual and it said to use the timing light per the manufacturer's instructions.

Thanks, Mike

Post a picture of it, makes it easier to identify.

Here ya go, Sunpro CP7504

Standard DC powered inductive timing light, inductive pickups are known to break when dropped on cement floor too many times.

which plug ???

I attached the timing light to plug #4.

Also - when I timed the Honda I did drop the light - just maybe 12 inches, you never know though. You might imagine why I dropped it - removing the connection from the spark plug wire with a running engine = shock treatment!

Is there a way I can test the light when not connected to a motor?

try it out on the honda again or try a different plug, I think thats what i did on mine but I dont remember, if urs dont work let me know I got a new digital I'll let go Cheap, it show RPMs as well as a degree adjust, (dumbasses sent me two when I bought One ) also the pickups can overheat, another trick I heard is opening plug gap on the plug ur testing on, makes it easier for the pickup to works

Hi Stonemaster,

I sold the Honda. Maybe I'll try it on my car. Opening the plug gap is a good idea too.

Just rode my KZ1000 on the highway, it does pretty well but does ping a little on hard throttle when it's warmed up. I want to figure out if it's timing or jetting.

Will let you know if I need another light, thanks!

The problem appears to have been an operator error. Today I tried again and the timing light works.

Maybe what I did wrong before was clamp the plug wire with the ends of that clamp. Actually, the clamp is supposed to go around the plug wire, like so.



The timing was a little too far advanced at higher rpm's. I had to cut some slots in the dyna plate to allow for retarding the ignition a few degrees.

Stonemaster, thanks for the offer, I am okay though.

Another to look at/confirm....

My TL inductive pickup has an arrow on it indicating clamping with arrow pointing towards spark plug...

Might make a difference in your as well...

Some of the clamps are directional, like OMR said.

My Actron/Sunpro is somewhat sensitive to the clamp being closed all the way. If the clamp is even open a tiny bit it doesn't work.