Running weird!

Pmbjngls22

Been Around the Block
Maybe the experts can help me out again.

I was driving my bike last night (CL350) and it was running great....then it suddenly lost a ton of power. It became very sluggish on acceleration and maxed out at 5,500 rpm and 50mph. It was originally around 85+mph. I checked the throttle cable and the fuel lines for any hang-ups or blockage, but I would like to get some other opinions before I start opening stuff up....Timing? Carbs? Electrical?
 
That could be anything from points drifting open to valve adjuster backing out, to seized cam bearings or just a blockage or a fouled spark plug.

Start with simple stuff. How long was it running? If it was only say 5-10 minutes, it could be a blocked vent in the filler cap.

I'd start by checking points and ignition timing and see if something is way off, then I'd check valve clearances and see if anything looks odd in there. Pull the plugs and see if one fouled and look for signs of distress.

Check that both sides have fuel and spark and compression.

Then I'd pull and clean the carbs and look for any minor blockages, and test the fuel supply.
 
Same exact symptoms on the SL350 I had a year ago. Turned out to be an ignition issue and one cylinder stopped firing.
 
Sonreir said:
Same exact symptoms on the SL350 I had a year ago. Turned out to be an ignition issue and one cylinder stopped firing.

Sl350 is a twin right? Does it have 2 coils? I ask because i have a similar problem with one of my bikes and that one has one coil. To my belief, a bike with one coil only works with timing spot on. One plug could be fouled but still, if the bike runs, the ignition is spot on right? if it was of, the bike would not run at all. correct me if i'm wrong ;)
 
Okay, so I changed out the spark plug. It had a little oil on it, but it didn't seem like anything out of the ordinary. I hooked my timing light up, and I'm not getting any flashes, which tells me that the plug is not firing...(i'm not an expert here). However, I am getting power to the plug when I stick the volt meter down into the cap...Any ideas? Bad coil?
 
could be a loose connection to the plug boot too, I remember that happening to me and it boggling me for the better part of a day...
 
Bert Jan said:
Sl350 is a twin right? Does it have 2 coils? I ask because i have a similar problem with one of my bikes and that one has one coil. To my belief, a bike with one coil only works with timing spot on. One plug could be fouled but still, if the bike runs, the ignition is spot on right? if it was of, the bike would not run at all. correct me if i'm wrong ;)

It has two coils.
 
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