Should I set it on fire?

[psyguy]

in that case you first need to find out if its adjustable at all
simple electronic ignition is usually not adjustable

[groundshock]

I did get the stock points ignition with it, maybe it would be worth swapping back to it at least to eliminate any outside issues.

At least then i could follow the manual for timing procedures.

Heres a pic of the ignition thats on it:

[groundshock]

Well, dug through the box of crap I got from the PO on the bike, found the instructions on the ignition.

Says that the pointer in that little window needs to match up with the line in there.

They do. So I guess I could assume that my timing is not the problem, that only leaves ignition, or something we haven't covered so far.

Have gas can and match ready.

[psyguy]

Have gas can and match ready.

if you decide to go that route dont forget to post pics


just kidding

take a break from it for a few days

[groundshock]

Off to the store to pick up relay and wiring. Wish me luck.

[Nessism]

Off to the store to pick up relay and wiring. Wish me luck.

Did you test spark strength yet?

Pull a plug, put it back into the socket, and lay the plug on the side of the engine. Now spin the engine over and look for a spark - should be bright blue. Check each plug in order to make sure they all fire. The coil rely mod will help if the spark is there but weak - dull white instead of bright blue.

Also, when you rebuilt the carbs did you soak them in carb dip after unganging them? Pull out the pilot screws and pilot jets? Pilot jets have killer small holes though them so you need to hold the jets up to the light to make sure they are open.

Good luck and don't give up.

[TheCafeKid]

Sounds like a crap spark for sure, but as well as the fact that it ALSO sounds like its time to adjust the valves. I didnt see that you did that in your original reading. Having come from the 16 variant of the GS, Im sure this is something you havent tackled yet. Set up is different from your 750 in a few ways, but its not hard, and hard starting is a screaming symptom of poor valve adjustment. Having said that, i think you are also on the right track with the ignition, as i said in your original post on this bike, that is the SECOND Martek ignition ive seen, and the other owner had a problem with it as well. Ditch it man, get a Dyna S or go back to points. That company doenst exist anymore, and getting any tech support on it will be a royal bitch.

[groundshock]

Did you test spark strength yet?

Pull a plug, put it back into the socket, and lay the plug on the side of the engine. Now spin the engine over and look for a spark - should be bright blue. Check each plug in order to make sure they all fire. The coil rely mod will help if the spark is there but weak - dull white instead of bright blue.

Also, when you rebuilt the carbs did you soak them in carb dip after unganging them? Pull out the pilot screws and pilot jets? Pilot jets have killer small holes though them so you need to hold the jets up to the light to make sure they are open.

Good luck and don't give up.

I did check the spark last night, looked weak as balls. dull white and barely there. Kinda what led me to trying the coil relay.

If this doesnt work, the Martek is coming off and I'll have to find a new points set locally.

I didnt dip the carb bodies, only the bowls, as my carb rack has the rubber fuel joints (no o-rings) and i didnt want to take a chance messing them up. I did disassemble EVERYTHING possible, and with the combination of carb cleaner and compressed air, I'm pretty confident that theyre clean. every little tiny hole sprayed perfectly, all o-rings replaced.

[groundshock]

Sounds like a crap spark for sure, but as well as the fact that it ALSO sounds like its time to adjust the valves. I didnt see that you did that in your original reading. Having come from the 16 variant of the GS, Im sure this is something you havent tackled yet. Set up is different from your 750 in a few ways, but its not hard, and hard starting is a screaming symptom of poor valve adjustment. Having said that, i think you are also on the right track with the ignition, as i said in your original post on this bike, that is the SECOND Martek ignition ive seen, and the other owner had a problem with it as well. Ditch it man, get a Dyna S or go back to points. That company doenst exist anymore, and getting any tech support on it will be a royal bitch.

The PO said he had done it recently, and judging by the new valve cover, I have to beleive he's at least been IN there.

I'm going to throw the relay on it now and see what that does.

Will report back when it's on.

[groundshock]

well, coil relay did nothing.

[psyguy]

walk away!

[groundshock]

That'll get a lot accomplished.

[Thomas Kenny]

Hey groundshock, you need more voltage at the coils. My GS550ES was doing the same thing. I installed a relay and wired the coils directly to the battery for a healthy 12 volts at the coils and it cured my problem. Good Luck :-)

[Thomas Kenny]

OOPS, disregard, I didn't see the post where you had already done the relay thing.

[Nessism]

I did check the spark last night, looked weak as balls. dull white and barely there. Kinda what led me to trying the coil relay.

If this doesnt work, the Martek is coming off and I'll have to find a new points set locally.

I didnt dip the carb bodies, only the bowls, as my carb rack has the rubber fuel joints (no o-rings) and i didnt want to take a chance messing them up. I did disassemble EVERYTHING possible, and with the combination of carb cleaner and compressed air, I'm pretty confident that theyre clean. every little tiny hole sprayed perfectly, all o-rings replaced.

Did you take out the pilot jets and look though them to make sure they are open? Did you take out the pilot screws and shoot spray though the passage and watch it come out the port in the carb body? Sorry to question you but have to ask since so many people don't go far enough on their carb cleaning job.