bike won't start

[WraithKnight]

I did some work on my xs11g the other day and while I had the timeing plate off I realized that the pick ups were loose so I screwed them down. I also had the spark plug wires off and forgot to mark them (my bad). Can any one tell me how to tell which wire goes to which plug and how much gap should be between the crank shaft and the pick ups.

THank you very much
Jeff

[xs11bobber]

Left coil - 1&4
Right Coil - 2&3

Each set fires at the same time, also called a wasted spark system, so you can interchange them purposely or accidentally and still be ok. Each set fires at a different time, but the two inside the set, either 1&4 or 2&3, fire at the same time. As if it's 4-1-2-3 or 1-2-3-4 giving 2 "hits" on each set back and forth.

As for your gap between crank and pick-up, try searching for it. I don't want to advise on something I'm unfamiliar with myself. HTH

[WraithKnight]

Thanks

Thanks alot for the info that is very helpful.

[oseaghdha]

Gap is .7MM

[WraithKnight]

bike won't start

ok thank you, Now at the risk of sounding like a moron lol, where do you take that reading? Between the shaft and which part of the pick-up? I have only ever worked on cars, this is my first bike.

[oseaghdha]

ok thank you, Now at the risk of sounding like a moron lol, where do you take that reading? Between the shaft and which part of the pick-up? I have only ever worked on cars, this is my first bike.

You have to get down in there to see.
There is a high spot on the shaft, and the pickup has a raised portion also.
So, you spin the motor so the two are at their closest and check the gap.

If you remove the timing plate, to make it easier to see, put a big nut or washer back on with the bolt and snug it up, otherwise the shaft won't run true.

[WraithKnight]

I did like you said but must not have had the bolt tight enough because when I put the timing plate back on it wabbles ( I know real technical term). How do I true the shaft back up?

[oseaghdha]

I did like you said but must not have had the bolt tight enough because when I put the timing plate back on it wabbles ( I know real technical term). How do I true the shaft back up?

You may have put the plate on wrong. Try removing it and reinstalling 180 degrees around. It won't line up right except one way.

[WraithKnight]

Yeah that was my first thought and I put it on right. When I screw the bolt in it almost looks like the shaft starts to tilt.

[oseaghdha]

The shaft floats in the end of the crank and is driven by a dowel pin, as you can see.
You will need to do some surgery to find out what it's hanging up on. Loosen it up and make certain it is seating properly. Make sure the drive pin is inserted into the hole.(I don't know if it is visible. I have not looked so, just a thought). Mine did not give me any such problems when doing the gap check.

[WraithKnight]

ok thanks I will give this a try and see what I find. I really appreicate all the help. My dad was my go to for all things mechanical and I lost him last year to cancer. This site and everyone on it have been a lifesaver.

[WraithKnight]

That worked I got the shaft back on right and got the pick-ups gaped. Getting spark across number one plug but still won't start. So frustrating.

[xs11bobber]

Spark + Fuel + Air = VROOM!

Mark spark off the list and move to the next

[WraithKnight]

ok so time to check the carbs then.

[DGXSER]

Spark + Fuel + Air = VROOM!

Mark spark off the list and move to the next

A couple minor additions.... Sprak + Fuel/air mixture + compression + timing = VROOM!

So, check you have spark on 2-3. Also, if you have been moving the pickup coils around down there, try switching the connectors between the coils, it has happened more than once that the pickup coils get switched int he work and the timing will be off on your spark.

If the bike was questionable before you started all this, run a compression check as well. Never hurts to know what your working with.

It is non-typical that the bike just plain won't run at all if you have your carbs even close to correct. It may run like crap and lack power in all kinds of places, but it will typically at least fire off and sputter.