1979 xs1100s ignition issue

[dondons1984]

On so I just did the plug test and I got nothing. No jolt no spark nada. So what now? Please don't say new coils

[BA80]

I think they are confused. What greg describes is exactly what the plug in your bike is or should be doing.

Running one wire loose and another connected will potentially damage your coils.

John

I've never damaged one and I've never heard of one being damaged that way during a test like this. It would have to be run that way for an extended time to even POTENTIALLY damage one.

[jwhughes3]

I was told not to do that. That I can fry my coils.

I think they are confused. What greg describes is exactly what the plug in your bike is or should be doing.

Running one wire loose and another connected will potentially damage your coils.

John

[BA80]

Bull****!

[dondons1984]

I was told not to do that. That I can fry my coils.

[BA80]

Take a plug and connect it to the SP wire, each 1 at a time, hold the body of the plug against the finns to ground it and turn over the engine. It should spark.

You might get a little jolt but that'll just get your heart restarted.

[dondons1984]

It tries to turn over every time. I thought maybe it was my carbs so I looked through the records and found they were rebuilt. I checked and they are good. Took off exhaust to make sure it was all clear and it is. Took plugs off and checked compression and that's good. So rather than not fully turning over it truly is so nice bike and getting closer and closer to riding

[BA80]

How are you coming along with getting it running?

[dondons1984]

OK well I think I'm just going to do that then. I'll keep everyone posted. I'm cleaning up the bike bit by bit and find that I enjoy it beyond belief. I just slam my head against a table when I get stumped on the engine firing cause it should be simple as gas compression and spark. I have gas I have compression so it has to be spark.

[BA80]

If your bike still has an octy you can run off of one petcock and answer your own question.

The octy acts as a t between the 2.

[dondons1984]

How much do you think I lose? And it won't affect anything else will it? Does anyone here run off one petcock? I'm curious how someone seals it if you use a steel plate and weld it or if you can use jb weld and a steel plate? Cause if I am only losing say half a gallon then I'll do the change.

[BA80]

It will work with just 1 petcock but you'll loose the use of the fuel that gets trapped in the opposite side of the tank.

[dondons1984]

Carbs were rebuilt a little under 2 months ago according to the Yamaha receipt. I decided to check them yesterday and they look fine. Nothing wrong with them. Drained them yesterday also and fuel came out of all 4. I will be changing the plugs later today after work cause I found from the po that they haven't been changed in 15 years so I'm hoping that can be the issue. I am also going to check all the electrical with my multimeter and see if all is good there. Yamah bikes are pretty new to me since I used to own a gl1100. Thanks for the help guys. Also I will be needed the petcock re build after all since I started leaking bad yesterday. I was thinking of just converting to just one petcock but I'm worried there is a reason yamaha had 2 in the first place.

[BA80]

Carbs were rebuilt by Yamaha. I have all the paperwork for it.

When?............

[dondons1984]

Carbs were rebuilt by Yamaha. I have all the paperwork for it.