Had good spark, now I don't!!

[mktsc]

I've been having a hell of a time getting this CB360 running. It seems to be one thing after the other. I finally got my timing right, and then got stranded...Seemed to be a fueling issue. So I took my tank off yesterday, drained and ispected the gas, disassembled the petcock, replaced the fuel lines with clear ones and installed in-line filters. While I had the tank off, I adjusted my valve tappet clearances (which were WAY off), and adjusted my cam-chain tensioner.

Got everything back together, start bike and it's only running on one cylinder...

Pull the tank back off, and notice a black wire with yellow stripe is disconnected. I re-connect it and try again. Still no spark on L cylinder. So my next step is to check the resistances of the coils to determine if they're bad or not, then start chasing wires. It did run pretty good on that one cylinder though, LOL!

I did a search for "checking coils" and found a few responses where people measured them wrong. I am the type of person who will do this, so what is the best way to measure the coils (and condensers?) to see if they're bad or not?

Thanks...

-MK

 

[autoguy]

are the spark plugs new ? if not than replace them asap, it could also be that one of the plugs went bad, i had this happen last week, on my 450, it had been idling fine and than i started it to let it warm up and the right side started back firing when the bike got warmed up, so i pulled the plug and it was sparking at the tip not in between the diode and tip, so i got a new spark plug and threw in it and the bike fired right up and ran proper like the plug that was in the bike when it was backfiring was less than 2 months old

are your coils original ? if not than they probably need replaced, i got a set of coils for my 450 from mikesxs.com for less than $50 for the pair, just check your resistance

have you synced your carbs ?

 

[Flugtechnik]

Autoguy, which coils did you get (resistance)? I was thinking about getting a set because my plug wires are looking pretty old.

 

[autoguy]

Autoguy, which coils did you get (resistance)? I was thinking about getting a set because my plug wires are looking pretty old.

i bought the 4 ohm ones the part number is Part #17-6805 you will need two

the new coils have the screw in type wire

the link to the coils page in mikesxs
http://www.mikesxs.net/products-27.html#products

i got the idea from the link below off the honda twins forum
http://www.hondatwins.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=782

 

[mktsc]

Plugs are less than a week old. I'll check them anyway though. Coils are original.

Where do you measure the resistances at? Sorry I'm an electrical idiot...

-MK

 

[paultsmith]

Just to throw this out there, are you sure it is the spark?
On my Yamaha, last may I was having a problem with one of the cylinders firing during starting. Only the right cylinder would fire, and I would need to rev the bike up too like 5k RPM and then all of a sudden the left cylinder would come to life and a bunch of gas and shit would then come out of my exhaust. All of my resistances on the coils were fine and compression was good.
Someone kept telling me it was the carburator, but I didn't pay much attention, cause I had cleaned it twice. Turned out 3rd time was a charm. Some other debris must of came loose and clogged a port.

Also check the gapping on your spark plugs, to ensure they are both set correct.

As far as where to check the resistance, I have a Yamaha, but it may be different for your honda. On the yamaha on the coil are 2 exposed wires.
primary resistance: check between the two wires exposed on the coil
secondary resistance: check between one of the exposed wires on the coil and the spark plug wire (remove the cap first)

 

[mktsc]

Gap is set to just over .030" per factory spec.

I tested spark by laying the plug up against the cylinder casing. I used the same method a week or so ago, and got spark from both plugs. Now using the same method, I only get spark from one plug.

I'll try and check resistances...

-MK

 

[mktsc]

Alright, seriously I'm stumped. I had my timing dead nuts on before I went riding last week. Since then I've adjusted the valves and cam chain tension. Now my timing is WAAAAY off. I can get the points to close and spark, just not where they're supposed to. I did the timing a week ago, so I don't think I burned my points that far down from one ride...

It's almost like when I adjusted the cam chain tension I slipped a tooth or two somewhere. It looks to me like I'm a few degrees off on the actual allignment between the rotor and cam. Not really sure what to do from here, but can't get it back in time. New points? Re-align cam?

Do these points look that bad? (big pic for detail)

WTF...
-MK

 

[Korr]

I do not know what is wrong, but i can point you to a place that could get you some answers. This is the forums for my xs1100. The guys there should be able to help you figure out what the problem is. Just register and post the problems along with that WTF pic in the "Other Bike Discussion" I hope you get her fix man goodluck and don't give up !