No Spark after new battery /7

[bdkee]

Going through Duane's steps I think I've isolated it to a bad condenser. With the condenser un-mounted I can short the points and get a spark to the plugs so its off to Nathan for a new one. Fingers crossed. I'll let you all know what becomes of it. Thanks as always for your help

[Duane Ausherman]

Yep, sounds right.

[Jean]

Capacitors DO fail.
As I noted some time ago, it's usually when you are far from home.
In the rain.

[Duane Ausherman]

Capacitors DO fail, yes they do, but it is rare. Here is a tip on diagnosis. While you are happy with the way your bike is running, make this simple observation. Remove your front cover and wait until it is quite dark. Start up the bike and watch the points arc from idle speed up to top end rpm. If all is designed well and working as it should, you should see some arcing at both ends of the rpm range. Soon after idle it should reduce a lot and then come back at the high end of the rpm range.

Whatever you find, that is what is normal. Now, when you have questions about your ignition, it still should be similar. More info on my website.

[bdkee]

New capacitor did the trick and she's running like a champ. Thanks to all for the advice and thanks Duane for the tips. I checked the points arcing from idle up through the rpm range and they're behaving as you've described. Now its time to get back out on the road.

Thanks again.

Brian

[Duane Ausherman]

bdkee, Glad to hear that you found the sparking as I described. You should be good to go.

So now, don't go and file the points. A mountain and valley on the points is harmless and normal.

Doesn't it feel good to do a couple of simple tricks to find the fault? Or, was it simple? Usually, my mechanics could diagnose any ignition problem in a few minutes with those tips.

Do you have suggestions for that page? I almost never get feedback on that article, so I assume that either everyone knows that stuff already, or nobody reads it. It is at the kindergarten level, as there is much more to the system.