New electrics, still getting erratic spark

[Hannibal]

Hello, it has been a while since I have posted here. Anyway, I have a 1986 GS550 ES, and have been having a lot of ignition problems. I have replaced both the stator and the regulator/rectifier with after market units from RM Stator. I also replaced the ignition box with an after market unit from Electronic Research & Development. I also had rebuilt carbs put in.

After all this, I am still getting an erratic spark (as opposed to no spark). If I take a plug out and ground it while cranking, I only get the occasional spark. I have tried it on each of the coils, and the result is the same. The bike will not even fire on ether. It does putter over occasionally, but will not fire.

Help?

[Nessism]

Stator and R/R are related to the charging system, not spark so that is a different issue.

Regarding the ignition, quite a few people around here are noting voltage drop at the coils. Might be a good place to start; check for 12 volts from the battery at each coil. Assuming that is okay, the next step is to verify the function of the signal generator since you state a new ignitor was installed. Do you have a service manual for the bike? If so, checking the different parts is fairly easy.

Good luck.

[p_s]

Did you do the resistance tests on the pickup and coils? Are the wires there and everywhere else in good shape? New plugs?

I also found that on my '85 GS550ES the little plastic connector that goes into the CDI doesn't always hold the terminals properly. Check that they're in all the way or poke them with a tiny screwdriver.

[Hannibal]

I tested the pickups, and one of them is toast. My problem now; finding a new one. I have been unable to find them for the ES model (16 valve). I did find one on ebay, but they wanted $40 and no guarantee that it will work when I put it in. None of the places I usually go have this part, and I seem to see a trend of about 30 different names for the same thing. I am open to suggestions?