Kiwi Indian Motorcycle Company

Distributor Assembly written by Mike Tomas

Test fit distributor into oil pump sleeve and check for fit. If clearance is excessive replace sleeve. In some cases the distributor snout may have excessive wear on it but this can usually be reclaimed with a new distributor sleeve. Do NOT press out the upper bushing with the distributor cap face resting on a flat surface. The points pivot shaft barely protrudes above the distributor body and damage will result. It is recommended to use Kiwi removal and installation tool part number 102481Tas this tool holds the body at the correct height. Carefully inspect shaft for wear. Thoroughly clean the inside area (points chamber) and paint so as to eliminate corrosion. Paint must be removed off the surface that the points mounting bracket sits upon as it must have metal to metal contact for good conductivity. Fit Autolite tag by placing 1 rivet in at 1 end and partially peening it over. Fit other rivet into hole and partially peen this rivet over. Go back to the 1st rivet and peen all the way home and do likewise with the remaining rivet. Do NOT over peen rivet as you can crack the distributor body. Press in new bushings until they are flush with the body. Drill 1/8" hole in upper bushing to line up with grease cup hole. Remove all burrs from tang shaft. Ream bushings to size using Kiwi tool # 102481R reamer. Clean thoroughly. Slide thrustwasher over shaft so it rests between the points cam and upper bushing. Grease shaft and bushings but do NOT allow excess grease to ooze out into the points chamber as grease and oil will cause problems on the points contact surface down the road. Fit lower thrustwasher and collar and partially tap in the roll pin. Check shaft end float which should be kept between .005-.010. If excessive fit the KI-100631S shim kit. When completed tap the roll pin all the way home making sure it goes in firmly. The last thing you want is for the pin to come out during service. Fit grease cup. Fill with grease and screw down lightly until the grease has been adequately compacted. Generally it will accept another topping off and you should be good to go.Bend the points insulating strip tab 90 degrees and slide terminal post through insulating strip hole.

Test clamp and plate for fit prior to final assembly as these usually require some tweaking. The more particular one is about the fit, the smoother the operation will be in the end. Advance clamp: Make sure clamp screw ears are straight and have not been pulled in from over clamping and that the advance screw tab is flat and straight (not cocked). Advance plate: Make sure clamp screw end has not been over tightened and pulled in. Separate as necessary, make sure plate is flat and control cable swivel hole has not been egged out. Slide thrustwasher over distributor snout. Fit advance plate to the distributor body but do not final tighten. Fit distributor felt to underside of advance plate. This felt is important as it seals out water and crud. Felt should be kept to a minimum thickness as some on the market are too thick and do not allow enough shaft tang engagement into the oil pump drive. Check for depth of engagement. Tang can sometimes slip out during service and relocate 180 degrees off which will cause you fits in trying to figure out why ones bike runs oddly at times. Fit clamp to oil pump snout but do not final tighten. Drop in advance tension screw making sure all the parts are proper. Failure to use the proper parts will effect the tension and proper operation of the mechanism. Over the years some parts suppliers have substituted washers and tension spring for off the shelf parts however these replacement parts do affect the overall smoothness of the mechanisms operation. The mechanism is designed to have light tension on it in order to operate smoothly. Too much tension will make it difficult to advance or retard. Too little tension will allow the distributor to retard during operation which will lead to severe engine damage.

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