Electrical - no spark question - GS1000

[Strick]

First, I am new to this forum, but not to bikes or bike repair. Thanks for having me!

This GS is a little different from most of the bikes I have worked on. I bought a '79 GS1000 that does not spark. When I first started diagnosing it, i could only get it to turn over by shorting across the start relay (solenoid). I now have lights and gauge lights and the starter button turns the motor over. I performed a search here and found a couple of maybes. The kill switch (on-off button) or the clutch safety switch. Can any of you fill me in on what to look for in these two areas, or offer even more maybes. I would really like to get this bike running. Other than a couple of side panels, a battery, mirrors and a throttle tube this bike is pretty darn nice. I can't wait to give it a try.

Thanks in advance for all replies!

Strick

[BassCliff]

Greetings and Salutations!

Hi Mr. Strick,

Please click here for your mega-welcome, chock full of suggestions and links to vendors and other information. Then feel free to visit my little BikeCliff website where I've been collecting the wisdom of this generous community. You'll find lots of GS lovin' there. And we like pictures! Not you, your bike!

Many riders disable the clutch and/or kickstand safety switches. I think there's a manual for your bike on my website. Help yourself.

If I may, here's just a few general suggestions. These old, uh, I mean "classic" bikes have developed some electrical weaknesses over the years. Clean every electrical connection on the bike, from headlight bucket to tail light, all the grounds, fuse box, etc. Run a dedicated ground wire from the regulator/rectifier to the negative terminal of the battery. Check the charging system by going through the Stator Papers. And lastly, if you're not getting full voltage to the coils, the "coil relay mod" may be of some help. The '79 model still uses points, check those too. Let's hope your coils aren't bad. Don't forget to check your valve clearances and clean the carbs if necessary. Do it all right the first time and you won't have to continually futz with it every week. Keep us informed and thanks for joining us.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[almarconi]

First make sure your battery is fully charged. Check that all the ground wires are clean and tight. With the ignition on, measure the voltage at the coils, you should see about 12 volts. There is a test procedure for the ignitor outlined in the service manual. I don't remember the exact procedure, but using a voltmeter you touch two of the wire will cause 1-4 to spark, touch the other 2 wires and 2-3 will spark if the ignitor is working properly. Also check the spark plug caps if equipped, an open cap will cause a no spark on that cylinder. Make sure your spark plugs are clean and properly gapped. Does your bike have points? If it does you want to make sure that the points are gapped correctly and condensors are functioning properly. I would also check your wiring harness for burned or corroded connectors.

[trippivot]

by pass the starter interlock circuit.

verify the ignition circuit is solid and connected

energize the ignition system

use a test plug in 1 of each of the coil sets.

take a screwdriver and wave it through the flux field right at the crank pick up .

that should incite a spark manually

[Nessism]

As Cliff stated, the bike has points...unless someone modified it. While points have drawbacks, getting spark shouldn't be too hard.

[trippivot]

points?? what are those?

power at the coils
power at the points
open and close = spark spark

if not--- broken wire, bad condenser, grounded point rocker / shaft, bad point contact pad.