Z650B1 Timing Advancer stuck on crankshaft

I wasn't sure whether to put this in the engine or electrical forum, so I plumped for electrical since it's an ignition part !

Still playing whack-a-mole as I slowly work to get my Z650 back on the road and running properly. It ticks over fine but bogs as soon as I open the throttle. I've been through the carbs, coils etc with a fine toothcomb and (after sorting out lots of glitches !) I'm pretty sure they are all sound.

My suspicions are falling on the timing advancer, which hasn't been touched in about 30 years. I thought at very least it could do with a good clean & re-grease, and possibly replace the springs that have been there since 1978.

The problem is that I recall the timing advancer should just pull off smoothly once all the other bits are out of the way, but this one is stuck on the end of the crank. I guess a few decades will do that. I'm wary of applying any force (I know there's a fairly delicate pin under there), so is the best solution just to apply penetrating oil every day and give it time to work until it comes free ? I tend to use PlusGas, because it's generally pretty good about breaking down any rust which might be gluing things together (although there's no visible rust anywhere else under the timing cover).

You should have the Cupped or shouldered style advance which can get rusted to the crankshaft end, not fun to remove for sure. If you're scared of bending, just rebuild it in place. Everything that comes off Will come off without removing the base/eccentric shaft.

Thanks for that - good idea ! I'll probably give the penetrating oil a couple of days (I'm likely to be working solidly until Sunday anyway), and then if it won't come off I'll do what you suggest. Cheers !

Best of Luck to you Sean!! Because of the design, waay difficult to get any penetrating oil up underneath the cup of advance base to crankshaft end externally, just splashes back in your face. What would be better is to remove the retaining long bolt and with bike on side stand, fill that hole up with your favorite liquid wrench concoction/brand. That hole where bolt goes into crankshaft doesn't go thru to anything, just a blind hole. What this would accomplish is to allow the mating surfaces to "sit" a bath of whatever allowing it to creep thru the built-up funk, better then just throwing oil from the outside. Success be Yours!!  

Look on the bright side, if it's rusted on then your crank seal isn't leaking -