no fire

[RANCYN]

I CHECKED THE COILS ON MY 1979 XS1100F . THE PRIMARY SIDE BOTH COILS READ 1.5 ohms WHEN I CHECKED THE SECONDARY SIDE THE 1&4 COIL READ 32 ohms, 2&3 COIL READ 27.5 ohms. COULD THIS BE THE REASON I HAVE NO SPARK?>>>>RANDY E

[TopCatGr58]

Hey there Randy,

If you are using an electronic Ohmeter, does it have auto ranging, and if so, then do you mean the secondary side was measuring 32 "K"ohms, vs. just 32 ohms?? If you are reading your meter right, then the 32 ohms is bad, should be about 15K ohms, and I believe that is NOT thru the plug caps, but from the bare wires. Most caps are resistive and add 4 to 8 kohms each, so 15kohms plus ~16 for 2 caps = 31kohms. Also, check to see if you are getting voltage to the primary side. Lots of places to check for loss of spark, see the tech tips and do some searches, lots of discussions regarding that topic!!!
HTH, T.C.

[RANCYN]

NO FIRE

I APOLLOGIZE IT WAS 30 KOHMS I DONT KNOW WHY I WROTE OHMS. AND THAT WAS THROUGH THE CAPS SO COILS ARE PROBLY OK. I HAVE 12 VOLTS ON PRIMARY SIDE OF COILS. THE ENGINE WAS OUT OF TIME AND I GOT IT BACK TO WHERE I THOUGHT IT WAS RIGHT. THE CRANK INDICATER LINED UP WITH THE MARK JUST BEFORE THE "T" AND THE CAM DOTS WERE LINED UP WITH CAP ARROWS. ON COMPRESSION STROKE . IF IT WAS OFF A LITTLE WHICH I DONT BELIEVE IT IS WOULD IT STILL AT TRY TO MISSFIRE OR SOMTHING.____RANDY E

[ratbyk]

No Spark

If coil resistance is correct and you have 12v of power to them I would head straight to the pick up coil and it's associated wiring.
Pay particular attention to the light grey colored wire from the pick up coil un-till it disappears into the loom outside the left engine cover.
Grasp it with a pair of needle nose pliers beside each locating clamp and give it pull. If the insulation stretches into an hour glass shape you have found the break. If the grey checks out OK then try the pink (red) one. The pick up coil triggers the coils to create the high voltage secondary. (big blue spark)
If this is your problem the repair is well covered in Tech tips.
Ken/Sooke
78E Ratbyk

[RANCYN]

NO FIRE

THANKS RATBYK
IT WAS THE WIRES TO PICKUP COIL. I REPLACED THE PICKUP COILS WITH ONES OUT OF PARTS ENGINE I HAVE. I GOT THE BIKE RUNNING BUT IT WILL ONLY RUN ON CHOKE . I CLEANED EVERYTHING I COULD THINK OF IN THE CARBS . AND EVERYTHING LOOK PRETTY GOOD. MAYBE GIVE ME SOME IDEAS!!!
THANKS RANDY E

[ratbyk]

Run only on choke

A run only on choke indicates a very lean or low fuel (same thing) condition.
Possible causes:
1. Very low float levels.
2. Plugged or obstructed jets.
3. Stuck or blocked pistons controlled by diaphragms.
4. Float needle and seats stuck or obstructed.
For some reason the engine is starving for fuel and it is affecting all 4 carbs.
Have you cleaned the carbs?
If you did clean them have you set the float level too low?
Is there lots of fuel in the tank?
Are the filter screens in the tank above the petcocks plugged up with old fuel gum?
Are there in line fuel filters in the system that almost plugged?
Are the filter screens at the entrance to the carbs (fuel line entrance) plugged or gummed up with old fuel residue?
All above are possibilities. Have fun tracing this one down.
Think back. Has it run properly lately and something that you did during your repairs/resurrection lead to the present-condition.
Ken/Sooke
78E Ratbyk

[fusionking]

Keep it simple

My question is how long did you run it? My bike only "runs" on choke for a while, then it's ok. Where do you have the mixture screws set? Are you sure the fuel lines are routed properly? Does it do higher RPM's ok? Have you tried to ride it? Keep reading the tips and your manual and don't give up! You've dang near got it man. Good luck and happy hunting, on these old bikes working on them is 50% of the fun!

[ratbyk]

Run on choke only

Randy, just another thought, have you replaced all the fuel lines? If you have and cut the new ones a little long than when you lower the tank down into position it is possible that they are foldingover and kinking. This is restricting fuel flow to a trickle. Just another possobility.
Ken/Sooke

[ratbyk]

Run on choke only

Randy, just another thought, have you replaced all the fuel lines? If you have and cut the new ones a little long than when you lower the tank down into position it is possible that they are folding-over and kinking. This is restricting fuel flow to a trickle. Just another possibility.
Ken/Sooke

[RANCYN]

NO FIRE

THANKS FOR INFO , I DIDNT REPLACE ANY YET BUT I NEED TO DO THEY MAKE ANY CLEAR GAS TUBEING OR IS IT ALL BLACK?
THANKS RANDY.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey there Randy,

They do sell it in clear, I've seen it colored as well, green for one. You can check local bike shops, or online, ie. DK, JCW.

BTW, is your caps locks key stuck?? Just wondering, everyone will think you're SHOUTING all the time!!!

T.C.

[ratbyk]

Fuel Lines

Clear 1/8" surgical tubing is readily available. It is neat in the fact that you can actually see the fuel (and air bubbles) in the line. I have used but did not like the fact that it takes a "set" very quickly and becomes very stiff. I was worried about vibration being transmitted through the stiffened fuel lines and shortening the life of petcocks and fuel inlet connections at the carbs. I switched back to neoprene fuel lines. Neoprene is readily available in bulk lengths at all automotive supply stores.
If you do install new lines also install in-line fuel filters at the same time. They can be bought in clear plastic as well and allows you to quickly confirm that you have fuel available in the line.
Suggest that you use 2 in-line filters and position them in a vertical position to allow all air bubbles to escape up back to the tank.
Ken/Sooke
78E Ratbyk