Possible Source of Ignition Troubles?

[Guest]

A thought has struck me, this is still in regards to my #2 not firing issue, but more specific...

When I pulled off the points cover, I discovered a number of steel wool fibers under the cover, and attached to every possible surface. Could some of these fibers have worked their way into the points or something beneath that outer plate - and THIS is why #2 won't fire? I have not yet re-timed my ignition, I was told to leave it alone if it was working

[eil]

If #3 is working fine and swapping the spark plug caps between #2 and #3 does not cause the problem to move, then your problem is not with the ignition. Unless the spark plug is bad. A problem with the points would cause both #2 and #3 to not fire.

Definitely clean the metal fibers out of the points area, though. If you have to remove the points plate, mark its position as accurately and non-permanently as you can so you can put it back the way it was when finished.

[Nessism]

That bike doesn't have points, and the timing is not adjustable. Clean out the debris and put the cover back on.

#2 and #3 use the same coil. If #3 is firing there is no problem with the ignitor or signal generators. Check your ignition coil wires and plug caps. As mentioned, try switching wires between #2 and #3 and see if the problem moves as well.

Not sure what the level of maintenance of the bike is so please read through the Newbie Mistakes thread to see if any of the common foibles apply.

Good luck.

[Steve]

Nice that you have a couple of bikes in your sig, but which one are you working on?

In this case, though, it doesn't really matter. Neither one of them has points.

Regardless, clean out the foreign material, even though it won't affect your current situation.

.

[Call Me Ahab]

Well, damn. I kept looking at my manual and the only thing it says it "points"... Oh well, good to know!

Working on the 850 right now.

I did clean out as much as I could find, looks good now. I've worked everything from the engine to the electrical system, cleaned it up as much as I could and replaced a lot of connectors. Whatever the issue was, it did clear up when I drained the carbs again and blew them all out with compressed air. This is less than three months since a complete cleaning and partial rebuild of the carbs. While they were off, I did powder coat the bodies, they look all shiny now - and I made certain to ensure none of the dust entered ANY orifice.

So... good to know about the points
It's cleaned out as far as I can tell,
And the coils seem to be in good shape - as well as the charging system. I do get a full 12 (11.8-12.v) at the coils at idle.

[850 Combat]

Well, damn. I kept looking at my manual and the only thing it says it "points"... Oh well, good to know!

Working on the 850 right now.

I did clean out as much as I could find, looks good now. I've worked everything from the engine to the electrical system, cleaned it up as much as I could and replaced a lot of connectors. Whatever the issue was, it did clear up when I drained the carbs again and blew them all out with compressed air. This is less than three months since a complete cleaning and partial rebuild of the carbs. While they were off, I did powder coat the bodies, they look all shiny now - and I made certain to ensure none of the dust entered ANY orifice.

So... good to know about the points
It's cleaned out as far as I can tell,
And the coils seem to be in good shape - as well as the charging system. I do get a full 12 (11.8-12.v) at the coils at idle.

1979 has points. If it is a factory manual, you have to go looking at the supplements. They are in there. I'm assuming you downloaded it from Cliff's site.

[Call Me Ahab]

1979 has points. If it is a factory manual, you have to go looking at the supplements. They are in there. I'm assuming you downloaded it from Cliff's site.

Nope, factory manual - oil, blood and sweat stains all!

[Nessism]

You need the supplements to the '79 manual, otherwise you don't have the proper info for your '82. Cliff's pdf copy has the original manual and all the various supplements as well.

[Call Me Ahab]

You need the supplements to the '79 manual, otherwise you don't have the proper info for your '82. Cliff's pdf copy has the original manual and all the various supplements as well.

Aye, I've got a copy on my computer that I usually use, but when I'm out in the shop I just use what is on-hand. It's been pretty accurate... on most things. At least tolerances and measurements / torque basically the same across 850's, it works for what I need it to =]

I do usually print out pages that I need if I know it isn't in the other manual. These are usually how-to's written by members of the GSR's so manual has nothing on them. I've been trying to double check, I'll need to pay closer
attention from now on.

[850 Combat]

Its got a pretty good section depicting how the CV carbs work in the supplements too. Better than I have seen elsewhere.