I installed a 12v powerdynamo ignition on a 76 DT400. Its been hard to start and I had a feeling it was a bit retarded. It backfires in the exhaust often when kicking over. Yesterday MarkT suggested for someone to throw a timing light on a DT360. So I checked mine with a light and it looked retarded. I turned the backing plate clock wise a bit, it didn't do much so I went as far as possible. The line on the flywheel under the light was at 9:45 and the mark on the backing plate is at about 10. I believe that is still retarded? So I removed the flywheel and reinstalled counterclockwise about 25 degrees. I have no decompression connected and it was kicking back, after about the third kick it started. The marks under the light were lined up so that would be 0 advance?? It seems too advanced in that position so I put it back. When I put a dial indicator and set the marks at 2.9mm btdc the light shows it retarded. Should I forget about the light and just set for easy starting?

Hey Rob, I put that system on my DT360, it was pretty much set it and forget. I never checked with a timing light. Always started good, who knows maybe its retarded also.

Thanks for the reply Mark. I put one on my DT360 as well, same as you... starts right up . Tomorrow I will see what the light does on it. Funny I didn't think of that on my own. Must be getting old ; /

Yeah post the DT360 timing results. Inquiring minds want to know.

You pay extra for a "keyed" flywheel from PD. If you don't get the keyed one, it can be bolted anywhere, therefore it's important to get your initial set close. In my experience usually no matter how careful I was to get the first setting right, I usually had to make 1 or 2 more to dial it in.

Of course if you paid for a keyed flywheel, my point is moot.

I didn't know that was an option... Mine is not keyed

Timing light on the powerdynamo isn't too helpful because of no key...

Easiest thing to do is use the dial indicator and see where the piston is when the factory powerdynamo marks align.

Yep, bada bing bada boom .

I'd like to clarify my answer... Powerdynamo has a factory mark on stator and factory mark on flywheel and when they are aligned, you get spark. So the way to install/check is use the dial indicator to check where piston is when marks align. Just like you do on the later CDI Yamaha.

(Only thing you can't do with the PD is mark the case because without the key the flywheel can be put on in different positions so you have to check it with a dial indicator every time... flywheel can also slip just like they do on stock systems so not a bad idea to check if you think timing is off)

On the other thread, it was a Rex's kit... and over the years there's been reports of timing inconsistencies and other issues sometimes... not with every kit, just some of them so it would be good to check. And I think now the Rex kits don't have any adjustment.

P.S. I think HVC Cycle is the one that offers the keyway broach option... If you carefully mark the flywheel where you want the keyway, any good machine shop will be able to broach a keyway...

This is where the timing light shows my DT360. About 3mm past marks aligned.
On the dial indicator I am at 2mm BTDC when the marks are aligned.
The bike starts great and runs great. I know the timing should be 2.9.

This is where the light puts the DT400 at 2.9mm BTDC with the dial indicator.