Coil Operation "theory"

[superdave]

I am chasing a lack of acceleration in my bike, and in doing so I found that I was getting some arcing from the spark plug wires on 2 and 3.

So I was swapping the right coil from a parts bike on and noted that as the coil is sitting on the frame, the wire from the right side of the coil crosses over to number 2 and the wire from the left side crosses over to number 3. This setup was the same on both bikes.

Then this morning I was perusing the new Clymer manual I have, and it shows the coil wires *not* crossing each other for either coil. (So left wire goes to 2, right wire goes to 3.)

I tried running the bike with the wires in both orientations and neither seemed to make a difference in how it rides (poorly, btw...)

My question is, does it really matter? I'm thinking that the coil may well be sending spark to both plugs at the same time, and one must just be at the top of the compression stroke, and the other cylinder is getting a spark in the exhaust stroke.

Is this right? I haven't yet seen anything that states as such, but I haven't seen the opposite either.

This is on an '82 GS650L

[JEEPRUSTY]

I am chasing a lack of acceleration in my bike, and in doing so I found that I was getting some arcing from the spark plug wires on 2 and 3.

So I was swapping the right coil from a parts bike on and noted that as the coil is sitting on the frame, the wire from the right side of the coil crosses over to number 2 and the wire from the left side crosses over to number 3. This setup was the same on both bikes.

Then this morning I was perusing the new Clymer manual I have, and it shows the coil wires *not* crossing each other for either coil. (So left wire goes to 2, right wire goes to 3.)

I tried running the bike with the wires in both orientations and neither seemed to make a difference in how it rides (poorly, btw...)

My question is, does it really matter? I'm thinking that the coil may well be sending spark to both plugs at the same time, and one must just be at the top of the compression stroke, and the other cylinder is getting a spark in the exhaust stroke.

Is this right? I haven't yet seen anything that states as such, but I haven't seen the opposite either.

This is on an '82 GS650L

Correct It fires both plugs at the same time.

[posplayr]

I am chasing a lack of acceleration in my bike, and in doing so I found that I was getting some arcing from the spark plug wires on 2 and 3.

The arching from the plug wires normally means that there is too much resistance in the wires or connections of the high tension path. The pulse of energy is partialy repelled from the high impedance and the energy has to go somewhere so it finds a path to ground.

On my old chevy it could be seen at the connections of the coil primary wires. Sounds like you need to check the wires or replace.

[JEEPRUSTY]

You can really see cross talking wires at night
especially if you were to spray some salt water on them.

I would not do that to a bike for fear of damaging electronics buts it often happens in winter where they use road salt on vehicles.

bad wires become a lot more noteworthy when they have a conductive liquid on them.

[goggleboy]

You can really see cross talking wires at night
especially if you were to spray some salt water on them.

I would not do that to a bike for fear of damaging electronics buts it often happens in winter where they use road salt on vehicles.

bad wires become a lot more noteworthy when they have a conductive liquid on them.

yes, and if you can get your bike in the dark like he was saying while its running, look EVERYWHERE to make sure the spark is contained. My grandpa always called it the christmas tree test

[JEEPRUSTY]

yes, and if you can get your bike in the dark like he was saying while its running, look EVERYWHERE to make sure the spark is contained. My grandpa always called it the christmas tree test

Christmas tree is exactly what came to mind first time i saw it.