I have been restoring a 1975 R75/6 and had problems with a lack of spark. I investigated the points and found that it was over tightened and the advance unit wasn't moving properly. I removed the unit and found this...
It looks like the end of the cam been stripped or snapped off at some point and someone has drilled and tapped the end. Will this bodge hold? I have an electronic ignition kit to fit so could loctite it on. I really don't want to have to change the cam.
That is the fix for a broken cam tip. The nut holding the advance unit doesn't need to be that tight. A crank mounted ignition will eliminate any future issues.
Yes, electronic ignition is the most efficient fix for this problem. The cost of a CDI is actually cheaper than replacing the centrifugal advance unit last time I checked. One of the stories I remember from my earlier BMW days ( @1977-78) were so called BM gurus and know-it-alls telling me than the timing chain "had jumped a tooth" and that was why my timing was out and other such BS. All it was was wear on the advance unit, which I eventually found out AFTER pulling the front of the motor off, replacing the cam chain etc etc. I still carry a set of points, condenser and advance unit in the tank tool kit recess, as I live in the middle of no-where, and it does provide that added bit of insurance to get home. Sadly, bodges like you showed in that photo are rather common.
The electronic kit that I have is the Siemens one from motorworks, it has to fit onto the end of the cam. I am hoping that there is enough thread there to hold it on securely!
