WICO COIL

[Gramps]

Thinking a little more about the timing.
Wouldn't the backing plate have to be movable to adjust the timing?
How many degrees BTDC should it fire?
A dial indicator and degree wheel would be the best way to time it.
The nice thing about it, once done no need to retime it unless you move the backing plate.
I would like to know more about it. Any help to get me on track?
 Gramps

[Mike Sal]

Your correct that the timing is fixed because the backing plate is fixed.  In the gary wollard book he talks about how the Western Union delivery guys would open up the mounting holes so they could advance the timing on the early bikes.

I've not taken the time to actually check what the timing is on a stock simplex.  Maybe some of the other guys can report on that.
Mike Sal

[Gramps]

When I get my engine out and on the bench I will check it and let you know. John

[simplex1957]

I took the motor out of my 1955 today and put a degree wheel on to check
the timing.  .014 on the points was 26 degrees BTDC. .018 was 29, .020 was
30 degrees. So now we know.    By the way? What are the points supposed
to be set at? I would guess .015 

[Ricks]

Good info!  The manual says to set the points to .018 - .020.  I wonder if a little more gap would help or hurt.  If it was easier to adjust them, I would play around with it.  I wonder if Wayne has done any testing on this.

[Bruce]

Gap is dwell...those amounts will all be in the ballpark

[simplex1957]

On old Harley magnetos the points was set at .015 , I think I will set mine at .016 on the simplex when I put
it back together. These motors are very interesting. When I took apart the motor it very unusual looking. I'm
use to old Harleys and Indians, but this thing is waaaaaay different.

[pd]

Agreed . Good info . Thanks for that .

The Phelon magneto plate on my bike has " Point Gap .020" " , or something close to that , as part of the casting .

Pete .

[Ricks]

Agreed . Good info . Thanks for that .

The Phelon magneto plate on my bike has " Point Gap .020" " , or something close to that , as part of the casting .

Pete .

The Wico mag plate says the same thing.

[simplex1957]

When I checked the point gap in this motor today the points were set at .018   I have no idea who the last person
was that set them but it had to be over 30 years ago. I rebuilt the clutch this past Feb. but we started to get busy
and I stopped. Now I am starting back. This is a strange looking motor, not what I am use to.

[Mike Sal]

I think that's part of what happened to all the Simplex motors.  Once they had troubles, guys would take them apart to see what they were made of & never got them back together.  I know I would have when I was a young guy.....
Mike Sal

[Sonrisers]

Has anyone tried this Nova 2 ignition? Sounds really interesting to me, but need someone with more knowlege to perfect the process, so they can give some guidence to those who are mechanically challenged.

[pd]

I have not tried the Nova 2 , but I wouldn't against it . I'll likely give it a shot when I get my bike out of storage . I was having trouble with keeping the motor running for more than about 10 minutes . I'm not sure it isn't due to ignition , but I'm leaning more toward intake as the cause .

Either way , I think the Nova would be an improvement .

Pete .

[oil-lamp]

How does this nova 2 work?  Where does it hook up to? What does it replace?   

[pd]

Here ya go , Reese .

This is what I wrote on a previous page :

The Nova II is a solid state ignition module that replaces both the points and condenser .  It's signal and 'power' are generated by the coil when the magnets pass . The same type of module has been used for over 30 years by Honda and other manufacturers in a lot of  motorcycles . My CB750 had a pair of them . They are very reliable and never need attention , other than keeping them fairly clean so heat can dissipate .

Here's the wiring instructions and a link to the same :



http://gardentractorpullingtips.com/images/novainst.gif

Pete .