.020" or .022" point setting

Since its purchase in 1974 I have always set my 1958 FL ignition points at .020" per the 59-69 manual. My buddy who owns a 1957 FL sets his at .022" per the 48-57 manual. My motor is stock with the exception of FLH pistons and FLH cam and has been 12volt for the last 20 years. It starts easy and runs good but should I try .022"? Any advantages or "if it ain't broke don't fix it"......

Also, I've always set my timing mark "half way" from the back to the middle of the hole to give it a little more advance or so I was told but the manual says to set it in the middle.

Old scooter (I'll soon post some pictures) runs like a kitty cat, pulls like a farmall and seems to run cooler than a lot of other big twins.

How come us '58 owners were left out in the cold with no manual .....

-little stan

[Pa]

I know a fella who sets his points at .012". The bike runs much better at that setting but his timing mark is almost off the window to begin with. Weird...Huh ?? Pa

The points for 1936-60 are set at .022". The points setting was changed to .020 in 1961, which is called out in the '59-69 factory service manual (for the dual ignition) and the changed back to .022, when then single points circuit breaker started being used again. [Note: Chris Haynes has information that reveals the rigid Pan service manual was an enthusiast compiled publication. That being, the author used carry-over information from the Knuckle factory service manual and factory Shop Dope bulletins. Still the points are set to .022"]
It's the only disagreement I've had with Stett over Vol. 2. His take is, "I'm here in the trenches working on motorcycles day in and day out. We set the points at 0.020".
So, I let it go. I think we have the points setting listed as .020 - .022" in Vol. 2, to keep us both happy. But, I'm telling you what I know to be true. The points for 1936-1960 are set to 0.022". Go out and set yours both ways and run it. You'll have more throttle snap at 0.022" and with the timing mark set just to where the mark is visable at the back edge of the hole. This info is for 61 & 74 cu. in.
They did make a '58 service manual...only it's called the '59 to 69 service manual The only thing that was different about 1958 were the tank emblems and the plastic front bumper tip. The Panhead motor was perfected in 1958 with the larger diameter and increased bearing surface side oiling pinion shaft.
IMO, 1959 was the last year for work-on-it-yourself Harley-Davidson. They started on a git-modern race with other manufacturers, beginning with the aluminum fork cowling and dual points.
You might want to buy a "used" copy of our book. It deals with Pan cowboying, and happens that it's roots are in Houston-Galveston. Galveston was where the first set of FHP Knuckle heads were sold and shipped by San Diego Harley-Davidson, to Reg Loudermilk (west island) to be exact, via referral from Kick-Start M/C Parts, Inc.

Here's the Pan flywheel mark position:

Plumber!

Thanks for the information, despite the cold and wet day here in Houston I went out in my shop, reset my points and timing and test rode it the short distance to my parents. Like you said, I seem to notice more of a throttle response; told my Buell riding buddy he'd better look out as I was going to open up a old fashioned can of Panhead Whoop Ass and give him a run for his money!

I'm having a hassle with my rear intake pushrod tube leaking , I did some work on my motor and the shop I deal the most with didn't have any cork seals so they sold me some rubber ones. I had quite a time with them, they are so stiff and my springs are so old ; finally learned to belt sand them a little. I'm going to look for a few cork inners or maybe just stretch my springs.

Thanks again, I hope to post some pictures soon.

-little stanley

your not riding unless your gliding

Isn't the point setting is listed in the 1958 Riders Handbook?

If somebody has the points setting from the 1958 riders handbook it would sure be a nice mystery nugget to reveal. An unheard of find for 2007. Please scan the whole page and post it.

I have a '55 and a '60, but no '58

As the block wears the points will get closer. I always used .022, put the mark somewhat toward the back of the hole, and never had a problem. UL wheels in a pan engine made locating the mark a little more interesting but the points stayed the same.

A-w-w somebody has a '58 handbook. AMCA ?

there is one on Ebay for price edited out.. Pa 58-64 riders hand book...Skip

Great. email the seller and ask him to look for points settings. If so, then ask him to scann the page and send it to you, then post it here. I'll buy to book for ??. but i don't want to bid for it.

Don't want to piss in anyones Post Toasties...but why the edit to my post....am I missing something...Skip

by the way it is a no bid item...ebay express...buy it now price......Skip

[Pa]

Skip, Forum policy is no pricing. The buy it now is a price and not a winning bid amount. We pretty much overlook bid items after auctions end because ending bid amounts are what someone was willing to shell out for the item. You didn't piss anyone off. Policy is policy, that is why the edit. Linking to the item is fine and dandy. Just no pricing. Pa

What is the eBay number for the booklet?

[Pa]

Price is different but it is a handbook none the less. Pa

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1958-195 ... enameZWDVW

Cool...always good to know the rules before you play...the manual I saw was on E-bay Express...which is a store with no bidding..just buy it now prices...put in the search 58 harley rider handbook...and there it is for less than half what that the one posted went for...Skip

I wrote the seller and asked if the points setting was in there.
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The hand book gives point setting instructions differently for 1961-64 models and 58-60 models. The setting is.022 in both cases, but arrriving at the correct adjustments are different. Why don't you purchase this book and post the entire thing on the FHP web site. It has a lot of really good info such as clutch adjustment, servicing the hydrolic oil tappet screen, and carburetor adjustment, etc. Thanks

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from seller: This item has no reserve so bidding started at $27.00. If there are no further bids you have won the item.

Looks like a definite maybe folks. I can't chase bids on this. - later then.