FOAK: timing strobe recommendation

Having failed to get the new fangled ignition pickup to work on the
Morini hillclimber the old one has gone back on ready for Shelsley on
Saturday [1]. The static timing marks ensure that it starts OK, and with
the new coil conversion it is running very well and idling better. I
thought I would double check the advance though, particularly with a
view to knowing the datum, if I ever do switch to the new system.

I dragged out my 30 year old mains powered Gunson Tachostrobe and to my
surprise it worked - for about 30 seconds. An even more ancient spark
powered only thing was pressed in to service, but the light from that is
no more than an agitated glow worm.

Googling gives a multitude of different choices. Ideally, I would like
one that could be powered from a 12v supply (a power pack as the Morini
runs without a battery) for use in the paddock. At a push I could use a
mains inverter I suppose.

It needs to be exceedingly bright indeed for me to stand a chance of
seeing the mark these days (even after highlighting with white paint). I
don't fancy poking my nose close enough to the spinning flywheel rotor
to gain assistance from my reading glasses.


[1] Looking at the entry list, slowest time of day is almost guaranteed,
despite the better sparks and lower gearing. My target, based on the
Tart's times, is realistically in the region of 44 seconds.



--
+----------------------------------------------------------------+
| Pete Fisher at Home: |
| Voxan Roadster Gilera Nordwest * 2 Yamaha WR250Z |
| Gilera GFR * 2 Moto Morini 2C/375 Morini 350 "Forgotten Error" |
+----------------------------------------------------------------+

 

If you can find a 12V Snap-On or Sun at an autojimbo, you're laughing.
There were a few other makes that were commonly found in workshops that
were well up to the abuse they got. Many of the diy ones were fine, but
not as robust.

Tbh, even those Gunson orangey ones were useable enough in a dim
workshop, but not in the daylight.

--
Dave
GS850x2 XS650 SE6a

"It's a moron working with power tools.
How much more suspenseful can you get?"
- House

 

How about one of these:

http://www.premier-lighting.com/sales/strobes.htm

5kW enough? You'd need to make up some kind of trigger circuit I guess.

 

I've got a Gunson Professional one, with tacho and dwell functions. A
serious piece of kit, but I've only used it about twice in the 12
years I've had it. It wasn't cheap, even in 1996.

One of these:

http://www.toolsinstock.com/index.php?act=viewProd&productId=304966

Although I see they're available cheaper on Fleabay

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/GUNSON-SUPASTROBE-PRO-TIMING-XENON-TIMING-LIGHT-G4123_W0QQitemZ260257231794

Superb tool, thobut, when you do need the job done properly.

 

Grimly Curmudgeon wrote:

I got a 12V Sun timing light for 50p at an autojumble because it was
supposedly broken. All it needed was a new power cable.

 

Gunsons do (or did) a 12V xenon strobe: I've got one.

Actually, haven't used it in years. There just rarely seems to be the
need these days.

 

I suppose I ought to open up this one to check for anything obvious.
When it went out I guessed the fuse in the plug had just gone, but
unfortunately it hadn't.
--
+----------------------------------------------------------------+
| Pete Fisher at Home: |
| Voxan Roadster Gilera Nordwest * 2 Yamaha WR250Z |
| Gilera GFR * 2 Moto Morini 2C/375 Morini 350 "Forgotten Error" |
+----------------------------------------------------------------+

 

Indeed. I'm (very slightly) ambivalent about them. On the one hand
bikes are vastly more reliable, smoother, cleaner and more powerful;
on the other, I do *slightly* miss the satisfaction of setting the
timing, or fixing an ignition fault.

This attitude may change unexpectedly in the pissing rain at the side
of the A14.

 

In communiqué

Certainly looks just the job. TBF once you get the advance right on
Morinis it rarely slips. I haven't touched the timing on the original
motor for years. The main reason for needing one would be if I
experimented with the new pickup system. One of the advantages of that
is a more progressive advance curve, which gives full advance at higher
rpm than standard. Plus it enables fine setting of the front pot
independently of the back. But to do that needs a strobe.

--
+----------------------------------------------------------------+
| Pete Fisher at Home: |
| Voxan Roadster Gilera Nordwest * 2 Yamaha WR250Z |
| Gilera GFR * 2 Moto Morini 2C/375 Morini 350 "Forgotten Error" |
+----------------------------------------------------------------+

 

Well, borrow mine.

 

In communiqué <1ijitcy.1c80krkvskatgN%>,

Thanks. I can't see me being able to experiment properly until September
now, so if I haven't sorted one out by then I'll take you up on the
offer.
--
+----------------------------------------------------------------+
| Pete Fisher at Home: |
| Voxan Roadster Gilera Nordwest * 2 Yamaha WR250Z |
| Gilera GFR * 2 Moto Morini 2C/375 Morini 350 "Forgotten Error" |
+----------------------------------------------------------------+

 

I have a Gunson Timestrobe (12v, xenon) in the shed. I don't think it's
ever been used. Email me an address and I'll stick it in the post in the
morning.

 

Many thanks. As you will see from my reply to TOG, I can't see me trying
to get clever with a replacement new style pickup until September, but I
suppose I ought to do at least a basic check that the current setup is
to OEM setting.

The Morini system is very dependent on all the components apparently.
Given the rewound stator and CDI/coil conversion just fitted, the static
adjustment I arrived at many years ago might need reviewing.

So emailed.

--
+----------------------------------------------------------------+
| Pete Fisher at Home: |
| Voxan Roadster Gilera Nordwest * 2 Yamaha WR250Z |
| Gilera GFR * 2 Moto Morini 2C/375 Morini 350 "Forgotten Error" |
+----------------------------------------------------------------+

 

Don't worry - you'll get a chance to use it if you have to replace the
pickups.
--
Dave
GS850x2 XS650 SE6a

"It's a moron working with power tools.
How much more suspenseful can you get?"
- House

 

Heh. Given its electrical history, the Guzzi would be the prime
candidate. The strobe wouldn't be necessary though: both the phase and
crank sensors just bolt straight in; there is no adjustment.