AF 500

[Donnie Wilson]

I just built a AF 500 Honda 1985 engine CDI was bad, I bought a new OEM stator, rotor, and CDI.
Box for a 2001 cr 500 engine was just rebuild, the stator has fixed mounting holes, when I try to start the engine all I get is a loud pop out of the pipe, and a lot of resistance from the kick starter any recommendations where to adjust the timing to

 

[jaguar]

turn the timing plate counter-clockwise to retard the timing.
of course if it doesn't have slotted holes for the screws then you have to make them.

 

[The Honda Pilot]

Just a thought...I have a 500AF as well, they do have a ton of compression and mine pops as well as every other 500 i've been around. That to me is normal and the heavy kick is normal as well. I know that doesn't help with your situation if it is the timing but what you described sounds normal to me.

 

[jaguar]

You can adjust the timing without finding out its timing just by how it runs (mid range and top end RPM)
Or you can find its timing by making your own timing light: http://www.dragonfly75.com/motorbike/timinglight.html
I would also find out its cranking psi to make sure its not too much.
And you can use my squish velocity calculator to know how much metal to shave off the squish band to counter any detonation: http://www.dragonfly75.com/moto/sqVelocity.html