Traced the problem to no spark on number 3, could it be the coil?

[Guyver]

Can one side of a coil collapse? Several days ago I posted about my bike dying on the freeway and the circumstances surrounding that. Since then I have traced the loss of power to the number three cylinder, second in from the right. I am not getting any spark to that cylinder for some reason. I'm not sure whether it is the plug wire or the coil at this point. The coils are stock as are the wires. Can a coil collapse internally and have it only affect one cylinder given that it is wired to two? Also what Ohm rating does a 1984 GS1150ES take, 3 or 2.2?

[UncleMike]

Almost certain that the coil can only fail altogether. I'd look to your boot/cap first.

[tkent02]

I'd look to your boot/cap first.

Did you make sure it's not just the spark plug?

[UncleMike]

Did you make sure it's not just the spark plug?

Good point. After that it's best to check for arching in the dark.

[Guyver]

I checked the plug wire with the ol' insert screwdriver here trick and failed to get a spark. It could just be the plug wire. They don't appear to be replaceable on their own though or are they?

[Nessism]

Caps sometimes fail and are replaceable - they screw on. Some times you can clip off 1cm of wire and screw the cap back on to revive the spark if the problem is the electrical contact. Wire is not easy to replace but some people have reported success by digging the wire out of the coil.

Good luck.

[UncleMike]

Caps sometimes fail and are replaceable - they screw on. Some times you can clip off 1cm of wire and screw the cap back on to revive the spark if the problem is the electrical contact. Wire is not easy to replace but some people have reported success by digging the wire out of the coil.

Good luck.

If you're going to do that, get an updated coil from another, newer bike like a Bandit.

[chef1366]

The one stop shop Dyna

[49er]

You have a faulty HT wire, cap or plug on #3. If the coil was faulty you wouldn't have spark on #2 cylinder either. Engine no run either with that scenario!!!

[Dink]

I checked the plug wire with the ol' insert screwdriver here trick and failed to get a spark. It could just be the plug wire. They don't appear to be replaceable on their own though or are they?

You are in luck that you have an 1150, the leads are replacable!!!
there are locking clips at the coils you can remove, then slide the lead out and replace it. Use carbon core lead not silicon or stainless.

Dink

[Redman]

Guyver,

You say you did the screwdriver trick with the "wire". Do you actaully mean the "wire" and the wire only, or do you mean the wire and cap?

Concider this post another vote for checking into the possibility that your problem is the cap. They do fail, they have a resistor materail that can fail over time/usage.

[AOD]

I just put Bandit coils on my '71 Honda CB500 - went in without major issues.

[UncleMike]

I just put Bandit coils on my '71 Honda CB500 - went in without major issues.

Got 'em in my 750. Not a single issue. Replaced the wires and caps as well while I was at it.

[maclariz]

Got 'em in my 750. Not a single issue. Replaced the wires and caps as well while I was at it.

Was wondering about replacing coils, HT leads and caps on my GS400. I have a misfire on the right cylinder that appears to be to do with the plug failing to fire at times, and it's worse with a low battery. Obviously the bandit coils are designed for a 4-cylinder bike with two HT outputs per coil, the GS400 is a twin. Is there any recommended replacement coil / HT lead setup for the GS twins?

[UncleMike]

Was wondering about replacing coils, HT leads and caps on my GS400. I have a misfire on the right cylinder that appears to be to do with the plug failing to fire at times, and it's worse with a low battery. Obviously the bandit coils are designed for a 4-cylinder bike with two HT outputs per coil, the GS400 is a twin. Is there any recommended replacement coil / HT lead setup for the GS twins?

Now this I'm not sure about, but I'm willing to be there's some modern equivalent with the same resistance. Just gotta talk to someone smarter than me!