FXSTS Timing Sight Glass?

[oowf]

Hi...

I get some back fire on occasion when I let off the gas (which is rare! <grin>) and I do believe my timing is off a little.

Decided to check the timing to day and removed the Timing Inspection Hole Plug.

Now somewhere I seem to remember reading I needed a site glass or some such thing to put in the hole in lieu of the Timing Inspection Hole Plug but couldn't remember for sure... When I started the scooter I knew my memory had been correct! This major spitting noise was coming out of that hole... so I shut her down and put the plug back in.

Now.. I live in China... don't know anywhere I can go to find this said "sight glass" or whatever it is... leading me to two questions...

1.) Will it hurt if I go ahead and see if I can check the timing without the glass?

2.) Does anyone know where I can buy the glass?

Cheers and regards!

[springer-]

Any aftermarket shop sells the glass. You can check timing without the glass but it will be a little messy. Best way is to turn the engine over until you find the timing mark and then highlight it with a yellow or white paint pen. let it dry and get everything ready. Plastic food wrap will keep lots of oil off the timing light. I also recommend safety glasses of some type since when you are looking in, it will be spraying out.

[Dr.Hess]

Yeah, as springer- says: You don't need one. They are nice to use if you have one, but if you don't, just expect some oil mist blowing out the hole. I never used one until a friend gave me one.

[ProFvnv]

I had one for my fxrs and couldn't see squat thru it. It got blurred up almost immediately from the oil splashing against it. Totally worthless, imo.

[springer-]

Originally Posted by ProFvnv

I had one for my fxrs and couldn't see squat thru it. It got blurred up almost immediately from the oil splashing against it. Totally worthless, imo.

The glass (plastic) site is screwed in all the way until it hits the flywheel. Then back it off about an 1/8 of a turn. This along with the paint marker on the timing mark works well. Some of the cheap site glasses don't screw in far enough to use this method and are as you say "worthless".

[ProFvnv]

Originally Posted by springer-

The glass (plastic) site is screwed in all the way until it hits the flywheel. Then back it off about an 1/8 of a turn. This along with the paint marker on the timing mark works well. Some of the cheap site glasses don't screw in far enough to use this method and are as you say "worthless".

Yeah, mine didn't screw in that far. It was/is only about ½ or ¾ inch long. But it was from the dealer, so I bought it and didn't know any better.

[oowf]

Well Thanks, gentlemen!

I am going to go for it! Mess or no mess between the occasional backfire and an occasional sputter when accelerating I do think I need to check the timing!

Thanks again!

Cheers!