Overheating Problem??

[BowlingSS]

I have a 1980 Special and my son-in-law has been using it. The bike died on him at a light and they had to wait until it cooled off before it would start. After he got it home I tried to start it and it would not start, it did turn over OK. It did seem to be very hot. I came back to it 10 minutes later and it started right up. I was wondering what would cause this. Could a bad oil pump cause this? How could I check this? I was also thinking it could be electrical.
Anyone have this type of problem?

Thanks.
Bill

[DiverRay]

Has he been stuck in traffic? If the heat from the engine builds up, it can heat up everything around it. The coils may have gotten too hot, especially if they are stock 40 year old coils. A small crack in the winding can open up to a full break when hot.

[BowlingSS]

Has he been stuck in traffic? If the heat from the engine builds up, it can heat up everything around it. The coils may have gotten too hot, especially if they are stock 40 year old coils. A small crack in the winding can open up to a full break when hot.

Might have been stuck in traffic for a few minutes.
Thanks I will check the coils. They are stock.

Bill

[skids]

I have a 1980 Special and my son-in-law has been using it. The bike died on him at a light and they had to wait until it cooled off before it would start. After he got it home I tried to start it and it would not start, it did turn over OK. It did seem to be very hot. I came back to it 10 minutes later and it started right up. I was wondering what would cause this. Could a bad oil pump cause this? How could I check this? I was also thinking it could be electrical.
Anyone have this type of problem?

Thanks.
Bill

Maybe vapor-locked due to a plugged gas tank cap?

[motoman]

Has he been stuck in traffic? If the heat from the engine builds up, it can heat up everything around it. The coils may have gotten too hot, especially if they are stock 40 year old coils. A small crack in the winding can open up to a full break when hot.

A big +1 if they are the original coils!

[Radioguylogs]

If I stop any of my XS bikes, there seems to be a window of time maybe 3-10 minutes after I stop where the fuel mixture seems wrong and they are hard to start. They will start, but more likely with the throttle halfway open.

I have seen this topic discussed before.