1 and 4 intermittent spark

[Ntelitz]

Hey guys I have a 1979 gs750l. The left side point for 1 and 4 rarely fires. The right side does it's thing. I have confirmed a steady 12 volts to the point on the left and I have no idea what to check next or how the system works. I had never even seen a point before I took the cover off. Any suggestions to help a newbie would be great.

 

[Guest]

Have you checked the point gap?
Do you have a manual?

 

[Ntelitz]

I don't have a manual yet. I read how to set the gap on basscliffs site after I posted this.

 

[Ntelitz]

But I haven't checked the gap yet. I do know that when the point is closed it grounds out the 12 volts and when it opens the voltage is present. The point looks good. No pitting and its clean. Sorry I know I sound like an idiot.

 

[Danjal]

Take your point cover off once and turn your bike on. See if its sparking pretty bad.

 

[Ntelitz]

I did the point on the right sparks but the one on the left only sparks once in a while

 

[chuck hahn]

Points may be fine but the condensors may also be acting up..1 and 4 are run off the same coil so swap the condensors and see if the problem switches to 2 and 3. also clean and check all the connections and be sure theres no way the plug ins can be arching to the frame just under the gas tank.

 

[Ntelitz]

Hey guys finally got some time today for the bike. Set the point gap and the static timing. Now 1 and 4 are firing good but #3 is dead. It has compression and the plug is fouled up with fuel. When I set the static timing I was using a test light and the light never flickered or went out so I set the plates back to where they were when I started. If I use an ohm meter what should the readings be? I do have a timing light if someone has a link for setting the timing that way.

 

[Guest]

If the light never went out then you haven't set the timing - it is affected by the point gap.

Most likely the gap is incorrect. The timing is quite sensitive to this.

Check and reset the gap and double check once the screw is fully tightened before adjusting the static timing with your light. Do this to left points first then do gap and timing on right.

And as suggested, if you're seeing bright spark at the points when the bike is running then the condensors are suspect.

 

[Ntelitz]

Thank you everyone. I redid the gaps and timing. Still had weak spark. But no spark flying around the points. Pulled the tank and tested the coils 11 volts at one 10.2 at the other. Did the coil relay mod and lo and behold it lives! now for an oil change and new plugs to get rid of all the extra fuel that was dumping into the motor. Thanks again everyone!