So Frustrated...

[Jestercinti]

For the last year, I have had an intermittent "sputter" and loss of power on the highway. It would correct itself within 20 seconds, and I moved on. It then started happening at idle and around town. It got worse. All signs pointed to fuel starvation. Petcock was original, so I replaced.

After new petcock was installed, still having the problem. Then suddenly, going up a steep Cincinnati hill, I lost almost all power, and smelled strong gas. Quickly realize that right-hand cylinder is not firing: right hand side exhaust ice cold. I limp home, and start troubleshooting. Swap wires, and it's not the coil. Have a spare ignition pickup -- no change. Must be the Igniter box.

So, it's an 82 GS450LZ 138xx miles. Here's the kicker. Bought a new bike, and I was going to list this on craigslist to sell, but it's down again. I bought the bike since it is costing more than a bike payment every month.

Here is the $25,000 question. Do I risk ebay for a new igniter box, or can I fix it?

I will miss you guys when I sell the bike. My new one (2009 GS500F) is too new for this group I think

[Nessism]

Damn, I hate it when my 29 year old bike needs work.

[bonanzadave]

Damn, I hate it when my 29 year old bike needs work.

Check the hoses (supply and vac) on the fuel cock. After that ....clean the carbs. You dont need to own a GS to hang here. Stick around.....

try hitting it with your purse

Now thats funny !!!

[tkent02]

Just park it in the back yard for 15 or 20 years. It will be fine.

[bluewool]

I will miss you guys when I sell the bike. My new one (2009 GS500F) is too new for this group I think

Too new? It's your old bike with half the rear suspension, 50cc and more plastic...

-None of which was meant to be bitter sounding. It's the last GS in production.

[derwood]

try hitting it with your purse

[Graham]

try hitting it with your purse

He may have to get a hankey out of the purse to wipe his eyes.

[Jestercinti]

Anyone have a TR Igniter model 32900-47020? Otherwise I will roll the dice on ebay. There is a junkyard in town that has old bikes. May try that too.

[bluewool]

Anyone have a TR Igniter model 32900-47020

"Parts Wanted" section. The local bone yard sounds like the first stop. Matchless has build one with some GM parts. Pete is building one right now.

Here's the thread http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=171781

[mike10]

igniter

"Parts Wanted" section. The local bone yard sounds like the first stop. Matchless has build one with some GM parts. Pete is building one right now.

Here's the thread http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum...d.php?t=171781

Can you make an igniter out of GM parts for a 2 cylinder? Or only a four?

[850 Combat]

Why is it the ignitor box?

[bluewool]

Can you make an igniter out of GM parts for a 2 cylinder? Or only a four?

Pete's 450 is a twin. Matchless' is a twin. I don't know if anyone has done this for a 4.

[Jestercinti]

It's been a few days, but here's how I am coming up with the Igniter:

When the issue started, I noticed that lh coil sparks, rh does not. Ran lead wires from lh coil leads to rh. It then started sparking. This ruled out spark plug, wire, cap, and coil.

Have a spare signal generator. Replaced, and still had the same issue. Both signal generators test good (before when bike did not have this issue, confirmed both signal generators worked fine 6 months ago).

The whole thing started on the highway at high speeds. Would bog down, and die. Wait a little, and it would "fix" itself. Sometimes revving the engine would "fix" itself. The issue then started at idle and around town until rh cylinder stopped firing completely.

Thought it was fuel starvation for the longest time. No kinks in the fuel line, fuel petcock OEM and brand new.

Going to bone yard this weekend to get a used igniter. Not much time to work on the bike (I have a 2 year old, and am busy at work), so I will try this.

[mforbes]

It's been a few days, but here's how I am coming up with the Igniter:

When the issue started, I noticed that lh coil sparks, rh does not. Ran lead wires from lh coil leads to rh. It then started sparking. This ruled out spark plug, wire, cap, and coil.

Have a spare signal generator. Replaced, and still had the same issue. Both signal generators test good (before when bike did not have this issue, confirmed both signal generators worked fine 6 months ago).

The whole thing started on the highway at high speeds. Would bog down, and die. Wait a little, and it would "fix" itself. Sometimes revving the engine would "fix" itself. The issue then started at idle and around town until rh cylinder stopped firing completely.

Thought it was fuel starvation for the longest time. No kinks in the fuel line, fuel petcock OEM and brand new.

Going to bone yard this weekend to get a used igniter. Not much time to work on the bike (I have a 2 year old, and am busy at work), so I will try this.

Your problem sounds like the same on my bike. Couldn't trace it down to electrical or gas. I was getting spark. I was getting fuel. So it was driving me crazy. I ended up having 2 problems. One was the coils and the other was the fuel. Both problems caused the same symptoms. My right coil was failing after it was warmed up. The fuel problem turned out to be my fuel line. As the bike heated up, the fuel line would kink closed enough to cut fuel off and the bike would lose power and stall. I'd sit a bit and it would start up and go like it was suppose too. Check the fuel line to ensure its not closing up as the bike warms up. I replaced the fuel line with a heavier hose and put a clear filter so I can actually see fuel running into the carbs. Good luck. Mike

[Jestercinti]

I have the stock hose with the OEM "spring" that wraps around it. Pretty sure it is not the fuel hose. If it is, then I have convinced myself that it is not.

Even cold, the right coil does not spark. If I take leads from the left (small alligator clips) and turn the engine over, viola, it sparks.

Not doubting the users on the forum, but I have had this issue for a while. Shortened the fuel hose, lengthened it a bit, and same thing. I think mainly it is a spark issue.

One other thing, on the Signal Generator, I checked the resistance between the green/white wire and the brown wire. It is 120 or so Ohms. One of the tests (Mr. Matchless version) states 250 or so Ohms. This was checked on and off of the bike, with 2 different Signal Generators. I know they work. Does this seem odd, or am I comparing apples/oranges?

Thanks for the replys.

Am I on the right path?