Vintage Dirt Bike Q & A

I have a CR250m (just put together) that I'm checking the timing on and need some advice/help. It has the original ignition and I have a dial indicator setup. I need to know how to set up a test light???. Or what else can you use?? When I tried to set one up ( test light) with a 6volt battery and a bulb I could'nt get it to work, It stayed on all the time when I turned the crankshaft even when the points seperated. I hooked a battery up with a bulb in series and connected it to the wire coming out of the points/rotor and the grounded the other end to the frame. As I said the light came on and stayed on. Was it hooked up right?

PS the bike seem to run pretty good so I know the points are operating but I just want to double check the timing before I ride it in anger
thanks

It's been many years since I did a CR, but I think you should disconnect any wires going to the points,ie condencer etc and try it again like you did.My MR 250 is not done the same as a CR,you just set the points to the proper gap and your done

Long ago I would check the timing of my '73 XL350 using a small transitor radio. Don't know if those are made any more. I would slowly turn the crank with the radio not tuned to a station. When you hear a crack (static noise) that means the points sparked and the timing marks should line up at this point. A piece of cellophane in the points with steady pressure will give pretty much the same results. This won't tell you if the advance is working of course. Good luck....Van

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1980 Honda CR125R

thanks for the replies, I got it worked out. I saw an article where a guy suggested using a cigarette paper between the points to tell when they opened. So off to the store for some and they worked!