• Required reading for all forum users!!!

    Welcome!
    Register to access the full functionality of the GSResources forum. Until you register and activate your account you will not have full forum access, nor will you be able to post or reply to messages.

    A note to new registrants...
    All new forum registrations must be activated via email before you have full access to the forum.

    A Special Note about Email accounts!
    DO NOT SIGN UP USING hotmail, outlook, gmx, sbcglobal, att, bellsouth or email.com. They delete our forum signup emails.

    A note to old forum members...
    I receive numerous requests from people who can no longer log in because their accounts were deleted. As mentioned in the forum FAQ, user accounts are deleted if you haven't logged in for the past 6 months. If you can't log in, then create a new forum account. If you don't get an error message, then check your email account for an activation message. If you get a message stating that the email address is already in use, then your account still exists so follow the instructions in the forum FAQ for resetting your password.

    Have you forgotten your password or have a new email address? Then read the forum FAQ for details on how to reset it.

    Any email requests for "can't log in anymore" problems or "lost my password" problems will be deleted. Read the forum FAQ and follow the instructions there - that's what we have one for...

  • Returning Visitors

    If you are a returning visitor who never received your confirmation email, then odds are your email provider is blockinig emails from our server. The only thing that can be done to get around this is you will have to try creating another forum account using an email address from another domain.

    If you are a returning visitor to the forum and can't log in using your old forum name and password but used to be able to then chances are your account is deleted. Purges of the databases are done regularly. You will have to create a new forum account and you should be all set.

550 Wont start "hot coils" "no spark"

  • Thread starter Thread starter minime
  • Start date Start date
M

minime

Guest
Hey All, I am working on my 1977 GS 550 and I cant seem to get her running. Here is the run down...

I have hooked up to a better battery to be sure of voltage
Checked and confirmed wiring
I get no spark on Cyl 3 or 4 (Haven't checked 1-2 )
I have tried with carb clean in the carbs and also the vent tube trick
I have ran power directly to coils (Positive to Org/Wht)
I have ohm tested the coils and they were both at 5 ohms


The odd part is and I couldn't really figure this out in a search is that the coils get HOT when just sitting powered up. I'm talking hotter than they should be when the bike is sitting in my garage not running. I am wondering if there is a fault inside the coils themselves, or possibly wiring. I have cleaned all the mounting points to the coils to be sure they are getting good ground. I have confirmed the ground with a multimeter. I know that on point style systems If the points are closed for too long of a time they will drasticly increase the charge time and heat up.. I'm hoping that this is my problem.

The ground and wiring are good all the way back to the points. The points are wired correctly with both leads (For point and condenser) tied to each other on the spring side of the mount. I have also checked the operation of the points to be sure that they operated properly and that the isolation bushings are not failing.

I am unsure of the timing on the bike. Tis may also have a lot to do with the problems I am having. Is there a way to set the base timing so that I can troubleshoot my starting problem?

I received the bike as a basket case and I am pretty skilled in electronics and mechanics, however my knowledge is limited to electronic ignition systems.

What advantage would a dyna S give me here besides ditching the points?


Thanks in advance to any reply that can help me out.

-V
 
Last edited:
Throw those points and coils away and go with dynas! (But I'm not sure if they make the S for your model)
Your headache will go away.
 
minime said:
The odd part is and I couldn't really figure this out in a search is that the coils get HOT when just sitting powered up.
Click to expand...

On my '79, the owners manual says that if you just turn the key to "on" and leave it, the coils will get hot enough to wreck them. My understanding is that you shouldn't leave your key on with coils hooked up for very long, if the engine is not running.

When I get home I'll look in my notebook and give you some good instructions for timing your bike if you're interested.

I had tons of trouble with my ignition system on my bike. It would run on two, then three, then four cylinders......different plugs would stop firing for whatever reason......I never did figure it out.

Like most people I finally went with the Dyna ignition and coils. Problem solved. You go with a 3ohm coil instead of a 5 ohm coil, auto type plug wires that are easy to replace, and much better spark.

Good luck.
 
Mark, thanks for the insight. I would definatly be interested in more info.

As far as the Dyna set-up, I might have to pass on the coils and wires at the moment because I just don't have the cash to drop into the project.

You think it would be an improvement? I jsut don't understand how points can be so hit or miss. It's very simple how they work :confused:

Anyhow, I planned the $120 for the Dyna S so I may just end up getting it after all. Now I need to find some replacement tires :)

Cheers!

-V
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top