Embarrassing questions (admission of defeat)

[byshaw]

I am trying to revive a '75 Honda CB360t (with only 623 miles on it, interestingly), but have encountered electrical problems that are outside of my scope of understanding.

I have a strong, solid spark on one side, but a weak/intermittent one on the other, UNTIL I hit about 3k rmp or so, at which point I have a solid enough spark. Still, though, one cylinder doesn't fire consistently, and doesn't fire at ALL at idle.

I've replaced that side's condenser, but to no avail. I suppose it could be an issue of connectivity, the coils, the plug wires, or the points, BUT I don't know enough about electronics to hook up the multimeter and test each component (and replace/repair as necessary).

Could somebody walk me though how to test my coils, my condensers, etc? I'd like to avoid $hotgunning this if at all possible...

 

[f22hb]

I've heard alot about not having enough power on a 350/360 can cause one side to start to not fire. If you're good above 3k this is where the charging system starts to really make power. How is the battery/voltage when it's at idle?

 

[Sonreir]

$10 says you need a new battery.

The Honda twins don't generate enough wattage at low RPMs to run everything and so you're actually draining the battery until you reach a certain RPM. Due to the 180° firing order, one coil will stop firing before the other when voltage gets too low.

Hook up jumper cables to the bike from your car and start it up. If everything is fine, you know you've got a battery problem.

 

[MotoMadness]

+1 to the above.

Testing coils is pretty easy. You just need a volt/ohm meter. disconnect the coils, set your ohm meter to the proper settings and touch the meter leads to the coils. Your meter should read about 5 ohms or resistance. If the meter goeso ff the scale you have a break in the coils somewhere.

Also, leaving the red lead on the coil, remove the black lead and touch it to a good ground on the bike or the negative battery terminal. The meter should read zero. if not you probably have a short in the coil. Replace them.

 

[skatetheame]

I've replaced that side's condenser, but to no avail.

There should just be one condenser.

 

[mydlyfkryzis]

There are 2 condensers. 2 Sets of points, 2 coils, 2 condensers. HOWEVER, the standard condenser on the CB360 (and 350) is 2 condensers on one mounting mounting bracket. 2 Wires come off it, a yellow and blue. The bracket grounds it, the yellow and blue go to the respective set of point wires. They connect under the tank, just above the engine on the point housing side.

 

[650hardtail]

i had intermittant spark issues on my kaw triple...till i replaced the 30 yr old points