I believe the timing "tab" on my CT3's stator is bent. Also, is this the correct location for it? I purhcased the bike with all kinds of problems, this is just another one I've discovered. If you look on the flywheel near it you'll see where I highlighted the flywheel timing mark. Shouldn't it line up with that?

 

Is the crankshaft rotated to where the piston is exactly 1.8mm BTDC when you took the picture?

 

I can see the points are open but if you move the flywheel back to the tab do they move to open at that point. Still gotta be 1.8btdc no matter what. Tab does look bent back though & not square on original so likely past 2mm. Crank key good?.

I've set it at TDC and made some marks on the flywheel and the case to line up with each other because I thought the tab was bent and so I couldn't go by that. Now I know that's the correct orientation, step forward.
I'll verfiy it again tomorrow.

The keyway was broken when I took the flywheel off. Apparently had been sheared. Purchased a new keyway and lapped flywheel and crank before reinstalling.

A little back story...when I got it home it seemed to have decent compression etc when I checked it, but could never get it to fire. It would kick back on me at times. Once it got me good, hurt like hell.

Yeah tab is not top dead center...  like the name implies it's a timing tab so 1.8mm before TDC is when mark and tab should align.

Flywheel key sounds like an earlier event but good that you found it as they damage case & gears kicking back, or have we been 'there' on this one--was one recently & made a hell of a mess. Hope to hear she runs next. Don't forget 1.8 now you have tdc. another mark on the flywheel & you'll be able to refference it for ever--Unless it eats another key.

Life has kept me frigging busy since  since I posted this several months ago. I finally got the timing set and the bike is running great so far. Thanks for the help, folks!