Testing primary side of coils

[1948man]

"To test the coils put one probe of the multitester on each of the terminals on the primary side of the coil. You should get 3-5 ohms"
I got that from a Billy Ricks "how to" at BikeCliff's site. My dumb question is "Where is the primary side?" Is it the side facing forward that has the 2 little clips (at least one of them is an orange wire)? Do I just test the resistance between the terminal where I sent my coil relay wire and the other one right next to it on the same end of the coil?

[Guest]

Read through this. Post back if you have any troubles but I'm sure the thread will answer all.

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=170364&highlight=primary+side+coil

[tom203]

"To test the coils put one probe of the multitester on each of the terminals on the primary side of the coil. You should get 3-5 ohms"
I got that from a Billy Ricks "how to" at BikeCliff's site. My dumb question is "Where is the primary side?" Is it the side facing forward that has the 2 little clips (at least one of them is an orange wire)? Do I just test the resistance between the terminal where I sent my coil relay wire and the other one right next to it on the same end of the coil?

Disconnect the two small wires running to a coil (one wire will be orange), measure resisistance across COIL terminals on a low reading scale- should be in 3 to 5 ohm range. Check both coils individually.

[1948man]

Thanks for the help guys. I was seeing it correctly but just wasn't sure.

[1948man]

I've got 23K ohms on both coils on the secondary side. Plugs aren't sooty. Should I just run it or does a resistance that low suggest the coils need to be replaced?

[tom203]

I've got 23K ohms on both coils on the secondary side. Plugs aren't sooty. Should I just run it or does a resistance that low suggest the coils need to be replaced?

That ohms reading seems reasonable- are you having running problems and suspect the coils/plugs? plenty of info on here about this-do a search.

[1948man]

I've been searching, such as herehttp://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=112516&highlight=coils+secondary but I never found exactly what, if anything, outside of the 30-35K ohms was something you could live with. Bike runs pretty strong but my mileage is low. The plugs don't look sooty like the fuel isn't getting burned. I guess I just wanted to confirm all systems are okay. I'm going to use my new Morgan Colortune today and also sync the carbs. Maybe my mileage will pick up. If not, I'll just quit worrying about it. I have a Dynojet ST 3, V and H 4 into 1 and APE pods.

http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=112516&highlight=secondary+coils

[Steve]

... Bike runs pretty strong but my mileage is low. ... I have a Dynojet ST 3, V and H 4 into 1 and APE pods.

What are you considering "low"?

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[1948man]

Just improved from 27 to about 30 but I haven't really got my dynojet tweaked. The few times I have been on the road for 40-50 miles, a little over 30mpg.

[Steve]

Yep, should be better than that, even with your carb mods.

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