johnm
VIP MEMBER
- Joined
- Feb 26, 2008
- Messages
- 1,735
Hi John,
The bit of the Jennings article that I found really useful is where he describes looking at the plug for signs of erosion and over heating and then reducing the advance 2 degrees at a time until you get the burn and plug colour characteristics he describes with the burn "just a hair short of the end of the electrode". I also found with the new plugs you can clearly see the pepper specks on the white of the center insulator if you are too far advanced.
I have seen many plugs in the pits with tiny spheres of aluminium on them clearly indicating too much advance. People then flood it with fuel and instal really cold plugs to try and stop it.
It is probably not important with your ignition but with a magneto it is really important to check both cylinders because a lot of mags have very different timing on each magneto cam lobe.
Be aware if you go the expensive racing Avon way that at least up to three years ago these tyres have a limited number of heat cycles in them before thay go off. They can still look good but they will break away big time without warning. Problem is no one will tell you how many heat cycles are too many. I used to figure on about 25 and then throw them away. With our short races plus practice this means a new set of tyres about every four or five meetings - big money at $800 a set.
I agree with you as well about being out having fun. For many reasons I didnt start racing until my late 40s and Im a bit too competitive. I was not fit enough and pushed to hard beyond my skills and had a massive highside at Taupo breaking a few bones. You dont bounce so well when you are in your fifties
Cheers
John
The bit of the Jennings article that I found really useful is where he describes looking at the plug for signs of erosion and over heating and then reducing the advance 2 degrees at a time until you get the burn and plug colour characteristics he describes with the burn "just a hair short of the end of the electrode". I also found with the new plugs you can clearly see the pepper specks on the white of the center insulator if you are too far advanced.
I have seen many plugs in the pits with tiny spheres of aluminium on them clearly indicating too much advance. People then flood it with fuel and instal really cold plugs to try and stop it.
It is probably not important with your ignition but with a magneto it is really important to check both cylinders because a lot of mags have very different timing on each magneto cam lobe.
Be aware if you go the expensive racing Avon way that at least up to three years ago these tyres have a limited number of heat cycles in them before thay go off. They can still look good but they will break away big time without warning. Problem is no one will tell you how many heat cycles are too many. I used to figure on about 25 and then throw them away. With our short races plus practice this means a new set of tyres about every four or five meetings - big money at $800 a set.
I agree with you as well about being out having fun. For many reasons I didnt start racing until my late 40s and Im a bit too competitive. I was not fit enough and pushed to hard beyond my skills and had a massive highside at Taupo breaking a few bones. You dont bounce so well when you are in your fifties
Cheers
John