Quik question..

[Guest]

My 1979 gs850 turns on n runs but runs horible...i tested coils n seem like they are bad...my question is can the bike still start even if coils are bad..?

[Brendan W]

Yes. There is quite a ways between good and dead.
What tests did you do?

[Gsbori]

Thanx for quick responce...i tested w. Multimetter at primary i have 4.5 and secondary put multimetter at 20k n it reads nothing it just stays on the 1 thats already on the multimetter..i tested bike today because started riding bad n popping and it boged down few times on my way home and some times it stayed like it barely wanted to go..

[alke46]

Try pulling your plugs and with the leads attached and plug grounded onto the engine, check for spark at the plugs. This will validate whether or not the coils are firing the plugs.

[alke46]

Next, I would pull the plug caps and trim the HT leads back a quarter of an inch and make sure you have spark at the end of the lead without a cap. Do this for all 4 and also check the resistance of the caps. You are looking for approximately 5 ohms from where the plug wire goes into the cap and where the cap goes onto the plug.
These plug caps go bad occasionally.

[Nessism]

Coils often get falsely blamed for running problems. The 1979 GS850 has points so I'd check/replace them along with the condenser if there is any questions (use OEM parts). Next, check to be sure the coils are getting at least 11 volts. Resistance build up in connectors often reduces voltage. Then check the plug caps for resistance. You can unscrew the caps from the wires and snip off 1/4" of wire and screw the caps back on. If everything checks out and still no love, then look at the coils.

[Gsbori]

K..just did and all 4 have spark..but qhy will the test read nothing at secondary

[alke46]

K..just did and all 4 have spark..but qhy will the test read nothing at secondary

That's a good question. Maybe a faulty meter????? IDK.

[Gsbori]

Heres whats happening ...i could b riding fine and the all of the sudden it starts loosing power and come back and loose againg like boging down and has no power and then power and so on....i cleaned carb like 5 times already,emty n cleaned tank , put fuel treatment,new filter and still does it...please help

[storm 64]

Heres whats happening ...i could b riding fine and the all of the sudden it starts loosing power and come back and loose againg like boging down and has no power and then power and so on....i cleaned carb like 5 times already,emty n cleaned tank , put fuel treatment,new filter and still does it...please help

Ditch the fuel filter and give it a try...

[sam000lee]

Heres whats happening ...i could b riding fine and the all of the sudden it starts loosing power and come back and loose againg like boging down and has no power and then power and so on....i cleaned carb like 5 times already,emty n cleaned tank , put fuel treatment,new filter and still does it...please help

If it's a lurching feeling, does your bike have points? Could be one of the condensers went bad.


EDIT: Just noticed Nessim suggested this - did you look into your condensers?

[Gsbori]

Can you direct me where are the points and the condenser licaded

[Gsbori]

I found out that it has electronic ignition n not the original..so now what..

[Cipher]

you tell us the name of the ignition you found or any distinguishing markings it has.

[Gsbori]

It says dyna ignition