Thinking about my recent Ignition trouble

[Rickrod3]

I recently solved an ignition problem. After riding the bike several miles I would lose all ignition. It was difficult to find the cause at first since it took longer for the problem to appear and would dissapear quickly. Gradually got worse making it easier to find.

Well I finally tracked it down to the upper pick up coil. I turned my bike upside down and inside out looking for a broken wire.

I was lucky enough to have a spares. In looking through a couple of spare engines I found a second set whose upper pick up coil was also bad.
I know that on mine it was defintely the coil and it was intermitient. This has me thinking that maybe it is the attachment of the wires to the coil since; I do not see a coil winding working and then not working (maybe it can).

So I studied both sets how they are attached an I noticed the lower coils have a clamp where the wires attach. I think it was to aim the wires but; maybe it also acts like a stress relief.


Just wondering how many of you guys experianced an upper pick up coil problem.

PS. have ridden the bike 170 miles without incident.

Rick

[XSLevi]

I just had the same problem on my 81. Replaced the upper coil and problem fixed. It sure was a BITCH trying to figure that one out though!

[Rickrod3]

I just had the same problem on my 81. Replaced the upper coil and problem fixed. It sure was a BITCH trying to figure that one out though!

Did you notice if the upper coil had the clamp on it?

[XSLevi]

It had a clamp to secure the wires in place. Is that what you are talking about?

[xs11lover]

Hey Rick, How are ya? I think I'm starting to have a pickup coil problem on the field bomb too. Here and there I will loose spark, then i'll shift and get it back. ??? wtf
I thought when it became a problem I'd hunt it down.

[DAVINCI]

As you shift, the engine loads change and the pickup plate will rotate due to the change in vacuum. Sounds like you have the same problem, frayed pickup coil wire(s)

[Rickrod3]

Hey Rick, How are ya? I think I'm starting to have a pickup coil problem on the field bomb too. Here and there I will loose spark, then i'll shift and get it back. ??? wtf
I thought when it became a problem I'd hunt it down.

Ok Garret and yourself?

Yeah its hard to find a problem that goes away.
I would check the wires under the cover, may save you a problem on the road. I did also notice I would get a loud backfire on start up.
I rode around with an electrial tester everytime the bike would cut out I'd pull the seat and check the coils at the TCI. I found that each time the wires to the upper coil were open. It helped narrow down the search. It was my experiance that if you would lose one of the pick up coils the TCI. would not produce any spark.

Happy Hunting
Rick

[Rickrod3]

As you shift, the engine loads change and the pickup plate will rotate due to the change in vacuum. Sounds like you have the same problem, frayed pickup coil wire(s)

Do you think it is possible replace the wires on the coil where they attach to the coil?
I've been looking for a wat to take one apart.