GS 850 Coil Burn out.

[Shades]

Hi Folks, I recently purchased a Hardtailed Gs850(79) Chop and I`m having a problem with the Coil that serves Spark Plugs 2&3. The original Coil appears to have failed, due to overheating and I was not getting any spark (the exhausts for 2&3 remained stone cold).
I replaced the Coil, but when I started the bike, the new Coil became very hot to the touch. The Coil for 1&4 appears to be operating fine. I don`t want to run the engine, in case I burn out the new Coil too. Although the bike turned over and ran, after changing the Coil, the exhausts for 2&3 did not reach the same temperature (took more time to heat up), as exhausts 1&2 (Hot).
I`ve asked a Local Motorcycle Mechanic, to have a look at the bike and if neccessary re-wire it, but if anyone has any previous experience of this happening and can help in nailing the problem down, I`d appreciate their help with any information.
Many Thanks, Shades.

[rustybronco]

You first need to do all the usual required maintenance on the bike before condeming the coils as the root cause of your slow to warm up exhaust pipes.

Adjust the valves, clean and make sure the carbs are properly balanced, properly set the point gap and timing and replace the points and condensers as needed. Only then can you begin to suspect the coils as the issue.

By the way, with the key on and the engine not running only one coil will get hot to the touch. The other can't as the points are open and current isn't flowing through it.

[BassCliff]

Greetings and Salutations!!

Hi Mr. Shades,

Yes, if you just turn on the key the ignition will only light up the one coil that the points are powering. It's the only one that will warm up. You'll find a list of required maintenance tasks in your "mega-welcome" below. You'll also find lots of troubleshooting help and procedural guides (including how to properly clean carburetors!) on my little website. It's a virtual GS850G par-tay! Let's get started.

I want to dump a TON of information on you and share some GS lovin'.

I just stopped by to welcome you to the forum in my own, special way.

If there's anything you'd like to know about the Suzuki GS model bikes, and most others actually, you've come to the right place. There's a lot of knowledge and experience here in the community. Come on in and let me say "HOoooowwwDY!"....

Here is your very own magical, mystical, mythical, mind-expanding "mega-welcome". Please take notice of the "Top 10 Common Issues", "Top 15 Tips For GS Happiness", the Carb Cleanup Series, and the Stator Papers. All of these tasks must be addressed in order to have a safe, reliable machine. This is what NOT to do: Top 10 Newbie Mistakes. Now let me roll out the welcome mat for you...



Please click here for your mega-welcome, chock full of tips, suggestions, links to vendors, and other information. Then feel free to visit my little BikeCliff website where I've been collecting the wisdom of this generous community. Don't forget, we like pictures! Not you, your bike!

Thanks for joining us. Keep us informed.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[Shades]

Many Thanks Basscliff and Rustybronco, for your very quick and helpful response. I should have mentioned that I rode the bike home when I purchased it. I had travelled 176 miles before it started to lose power and came to a halt, up until that point, it had been running perfectly. I was only 4 miles from home!... and eventually managed to restart it and get it back to my garage. I don`t know if that will alter your advice any.
Once again, Thanks for your assistance.
As I mentioned it`s a Chop and the wiring had been done by previous owners, prior to the one I bought it from. I think I will have the Mechanic give it the `Once over`, and see what he thinks...It might cost to have it done..but I would prefer that, rather than find myself stuck at the roadside, wondering how I`m going to get a 9`8" Chop back home. I live in the `middle of nowhere` on the Scottish Border with England, and it would be a real pain, trying to get recovered. I`m new to the site and must admit I`m glad I joined...I can see it will be of great help to me. Thanks, again, to both of you. Shades.

[cowboyup3371]

I obviously can't speak for your neck of the woods (send a PM to HampshireHog or Agemax) but here in the states "motorcycle mechanics" have a bad reputation with these old bikes. They'd much rather take your money then fix it right. You have more than enough information at your fingertips on this site to troubleshoot and repair everything on your machine. Just start using the search feature and reading up on the information Basscliff gave you in the megawelcome. You will need and love what you find.

[BassCliff]

Hi,

... I should have mentioned that I rode the bike home when I purchased it. I had travelled 176 miles before it started to lose power and came to a halt, up until that point, it had been running perfectly. I was only 4 miles from home!... and eventually managed to restart it and get it back to my garage. I don`t know if that will alter your advice any.

Check the charging system (stator, regulator/rectifier, battery, connections, grounds, etc). Adjust the valves, clean the carbs, repair the air intake system, etc. Go through the lists in your "mega-welcome". Keep us informed.


Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[Shades]

Hi, Many Thanks Cowboy, I have spoken to some members of a local Club and they have recommended one of their Members, as someone I can ask for some `Hands On` help. I have spoken to the Guy and he has offered to help `Free Gratis`,..but I will be using all the helpful information provided by the Gs Site too, as a reference. I`m going to have to start afresh with this bike, as the wiring, on closer inspection, is old and vulnerable to the elements. I will post a message, when I`m `Up and Running`. My Thanks to all who have contributed on the Thread.

Keep Safe. Shades