The 79 Special

[desert1]

Fired up the Alpha bike yesterday. Started in a heartbeat. Then I uncovered the Special and proceeded to see if I could get some plugs to spark. After awhile managed to get a healthy spark on #1 cylinder but it only sparked just as I released the starter button, not while it was cranking, several times it would do this, thought that was kinda odd! Anyway, I have to replace 3 fuses and one fuse bracket, these old fuses I dunno, the glass tubes become unglued from the metal ends, the fuselink itself detaches from the ends, they sure dont stand the test of time......Once I replace the fuses and check my voltages go at it again tomorrow. Mean while managed to get the horn and signal switch cleaned up and working plus 3 signal lights and the the instrument cluster ......woooooeeee, what progress. Glad I enjoy this tinkering!

Once I get all the plugs to fire up, then into the carbs.....then the corroded calipers, then.....well you know how it goes!

Bruce
78 XS1100
79 XS1100 Special

[strom]

Turn the crank by hand or kickstarter... seems like you aint got enuff juice in the battery. Check plug wires, measure coil resistance and clean coil connectors.
The glass fuse is for extra stuff... cig. lighters, lights or whatever.
Also check the pickup coils resistance, clean the connections to the TCI unit.
I hope you have new spark plugs. And that you don't have goo in your gas tank.

Have fun!

LP

[John]

If you get a spark on #1 cylinder, then #4 should fire also, as they are on the same coil. Check the wires, make sure of the grounding of the plugs. Put the plug that does fire into the other plug wires, see what that does for you. Another thing to try is swap the known good ignition unit from the 78 for the one in the special. That may change things around.

[desert1]

Corrosion

Put some new fuses in today, resoldered the bracket wires and checked with my multimeter and thats OK but still no spark, I know the CDI box is OK cause it fires up my 78.......the problem is this bike has sat out in the weather for at least 2 yrs., now I've already gone over all the connectors since last fall maybe even twice to be sure but have missed something, perhaps the coils are'nt grounded have'nt checked that yet, hmmm...as far as the motor, it turns over quite well with the starter, just a matter of time until the old crusty bike gives up its dark little secret!

Bruce

"Let the good times roll"

[TheDjost]

1-Check the battery. You need at least 10 volts at the cdi box if you want good spark. And that's while cranking the starter. you need a good battery. Or a boost from your car.



2-CHECK THE CARBS. 2 years is way enough time for the gas in the carbs to turn into varnish and block up everything. Get the bowls off, and clean everything. Make sure the slides operate properly. Put them back together, and try them. Then take them apart again (yes, even if they work) and clean them again. Just to make sure.


-Justin

[desert1]

onto something

Well the ladyfriend called and wanted to go for a bite just when I was onto something on the XS.....

The multimeter is showing a break or bad connection at the 4 prong plug serving the pick-up coils at the CDI box, looking at the pick-up wires themselves it appears to be a pro job of repairing them by a previous owner or dealer mechanic, my schematic shows a multi pin connector somewhere between the pickups and the CDI box.

Tomorrow I will search it out and see if its the problem.... I think it is; if not I will un shrinkwrap the pickups and resolder them , sometimes if you use the wrong solder or paste you can create a lot of corrosive problems. Getting there!

Bruce

[maicorider]

Just spent the last few days finding the same thing on my 80 SG (With plenty o' help from the super folks on this site I may add). There was also a very professional looking job of fixing the PU wires, but one had broken right near the magnet nonetheless. Quick strip, flux, and solder and I'm running smoother than ever.

[maicorider]

Also, has anyone tried replacing their fusebox with one of these?

Here?

[TopCatGr58]

Hey there Maicorider,

That fuse block is the same crap glass fuses as our OEM's, and that's what you're wanting to get away from, the unreliability of the glass fuses!!! Get a spade type fuse box and replace them. See the tech tips, several ideas there!!

Bruce, good hunting!
T.C.

[Redbaron]

Fuse Box

Go to the local parts house and buy an aftermarket spade type, can be had for around $10.00 US. Less than $20 more if you consider your labor a cost. Can be replaced in minutes. Be sure to solder all new connections. Makes a world of differnce in operation and dependability. However sounds like you have the pick-up coil problem inherent to these bikes. Do a search for pick-up coils and follow the repair/check procedure. HTH

[desert1]

latest news

Yesterdays saga of the 79 found me leaving the project with more clues to the elusive "no spark problem". Today I found not one but two junctions between the pick-up and the CDI box, one appears to be connected to a tip-over kill switch just under the seat, the other which I had cleaned last fall is buried behind the fuse panel. Once I removed the panel, signal relay, starter solenoid etc. I opened the final junction for the pick-up wires, here I metered again to the pick-ups, on one lead I got the proper Ohms value, the other lead gave me a complete ground.
Next, I followed the leads to the pick-ups and thats where I'm at now........its the frontmost pick-up thats the culprate. I've soldered leads before but never have I looked at the pick up itself removed from the face of the rotor but there-in lies the problem not the wiring to the pick-up but a short within it.
Anyway had to leave it as is for now and off on another mission.

Least now I know whats what and tonight i will remove the pick-up and take a close look at it see if it can be cleaned or more likely, turfed.......hey, progress!
Bruce