Starting up for the first time after complete rebuild/rewire

[Benettard]

Ok so I am new to the site as of last year when I bought a 79 xs1100. I stripped it all down and cleaned it meticulously, repainted the frame, made a new fiberglass seat, and ran new wiring throughout the entire bike. I ran the starter with a freshly charged new battery and the carb bowls full of fuel and this is what it sounded like.
https://youtu.be/1aGjzx84oxw
I checked all four spark plugs and they are all sparking.
Does anyone have any suggestions on where to start trouble shooting?

[IanDMacDonald]

My gut says it's a timing issue. Check to make sure that the "reluctor?" is properly mounted onto the end of the crank, underneath the timing cover. Many threads about it. I'm willing to bet it's timing related.

[kboehringer]

Coompression?, Spark Timing?

Benettard,

I watched the video. Be advised, I am NOT one of the better mechanics around here but I don't hear the typical THUMP THUMP THUMP THUMP of compression.

• Did you check your valve adjustments?
• What's the compression on the cylinders?
• The wiring of the coils is not too complicated and you said you had spark.... Are you sure you're sparking the right cylinders at the right time (at the top of the compression stroke)?

Personally, I would not run the starter to eternity. If it doesn't "light off" after a few revolutions it's not gonna.

Respectfully,
Kurt

[IanDMacDonald]

Oh yeah, I hear the compression just fine. Even with spark plug leads swapped, at-least two of your cylinders should start. If you have definitive spark, FOCUS on two things: Timing and fuel delivery (carbs).

[kboehringer]

at-least two of your cylinders should start.

Ian,
Are you thinking that since this is a wasted spark system the "wrong two" will actually be in a compression stroke if the gray & orange are confused?
Just wondering....
KURT

[IanDMacDonald]

No, I was actually addressing the proper sequencing of the coil leads: 1&3/2&4. Even if he had the boots on the wrong cylinders, he still should see two light. We won't know anything till tomorrow. Problem is: he added a whole other complication by "re-wiring" the bike, and has not told us what that entails. If it was just an engine rebuild, it would be easier to narrow-down.

[motoman]

Ian,
Are you thinking that since this is a wasted spark system the "wrong two" will actually be in a compression stroke if the gray & orange are confused?
Just wondering....
KURT

yeppers......a possibility.

[BA80]

Did you have it running before you tore it apart?

[fredintoon]

No, I was actually addressing the proper sequencing of the coil leads: 1&3/2&4. Even if he had the boots on the wrong cylinders, he still should see two light. We won't know anything till tomorrow. Problem is: he added a whole other complication by "re-wiring" the bike, and has not told us what that entails. If it was just an engine rebuild, it would be easier to narrow-down.

Hi Ian,
(quote:- 1&3/2&4 ) you sure that what I read is what you meant?
one coil fires the outer cylinders (1&4) and t'other fires the inner cylinders (2&3)

[IanDMacDonald]

I was wrong, thank you Fred. Maybe a different bike is that way. Either way, I'm curious to hear back from the O.P.

[fredintoon]

I was wrong, thank you Fred. Maybe a different bike is that way. Either way, I'm curious to hear back from the O.P.

Hi Ian,
yeah, me too. Benettard, what did you DO eh?
Here's Fred's quick & dirty no instruments needed non starting checks.
Pull the carbs, dose the inlet ports with ether-based quickstart, push the button. If she fires up in a quick burst it's the carbs
If she don't fire, swap plug wires 1& 4 with plug wires 3 & 4 and do it again.
If she fires up in a quick burst this time you've fixed the ignition.
Put the carbs back on (didja clean 'em first?) and try for a start.
No start with a known good ignition and it's gotta be the carbs.

[BA80]

Hi Ian,
dose the inlet ports with ether-based quickstart, push the button. If she fires up in a quick burst it's the carbs

That's a good way to blow a head completely off the engine.

[fredintoon]

That's a good way to blow a head completely off the engine.

Hi BA80,
not in all the times I've done it.
Please cite evidence, you ol' scaremonger, you?

[skids]

No, I was actually addressing the proper sequencing of the coil leads: 1&3/2&4. Even if he had the boots on the wrong cylinders, he still should see two light. We won't know anything till tomorrow. Problem is: he added a whole other complication by "re-wiring" the bike, and has not told us what that entails. If it was just an engine rebuild, it would be easier to narrow-down.

Coil leads should be 1 and 4 for one coil; and 2 and 3 for the other.

[BA80]

Hi BA80,
not in all the times I've done it.
Please cite evidence, you ol' scaremonger, you?

Just a little something from a quick search. Being a auto tech all my life I've seen a lot of bad things with ether. Rings burnt out of diesel engines, valve covers and oil pans blown off, and HEADS blown completely off small engines.

http://www.smokstak.com/forum/showthread.php?t=2250