water + xs= run bad

[spec1974]

water + xs= run bad
The infamous runs bad when wet syndrome. many of us xs's have similiar problems when we wash our bikes. mine was real bad for this. when it rained or when i washed it. I figured it was electrical cuz it would pop,spit and sputter you name it did it. took all electrical connections apart i could find for ignition and applied dielectric grease to them.also regapped my pickup coils to much smaller gap, i think i gapped to .006"-.008".haven't had any problems since. hope this helps.




In this post he refers to the pickup coils, what are they, where are they, and how do i get to them
Thanks
Rob

[strom]

Pick up coils are located under the left engine cover.
Check the broken pick-up wire fix for photos.
I don't think this is a problem, since water has a hard time getting in there. But you can set the gap to factory specs.
You will have to take off the round timing plate in order to check the timing... but check the manual first, since you can brake something rather easily if you mess up the timing or start the bike without that bolt that holds the centrifugal advance on (the same one that holds the timing plate).

LP

[graybird78]

water

spec1974.
The pickup coils are under left engine side cover. the wires are notorius for breaking. to check them pull on the wires and look for the hour glass effect on the wires. if this happens you have found the break. i regapped my pickup coils because of posts on this site. it was said that the guys at merriam cycles said it would help with hard starts misfires and such. so i did it . my bike starts much better. the reason for the dielectric grease is to water proof the connections. ever since i did these things no more problems.