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Message started by Lucaisrussell on 12/12/14 at 14:34:28

Title: Do I have an ignition problem?
Post by Lucaisrussell on 12/12/14 at 14:34:28

1st off this question is regarding my 77 ironhead sportster. I have a 95 Suzuki savage that runs great but most people on the Harley fourms are useless. I've got a ton of helpful advice off this site so I figured I give it a shot.

My ironhead runs as if it is starving for fuel. It idles fine but acts as if it has a rev limiter that won't go beyond quarter throttle. No air leaks, fuel system is all good and has been ruled out. Plugs look wet. I've limited it down to a problem with the ignition but I have no dummy coil or foreign system to test before I spend $400. Also when I was spraying fuel to test for air leaks, I noticed it wanted to bog down and not rev up. Just wondering if anyone else thinks the coils aren't putting out enough spark. It's got a s&s, hi-4 crane cams single fire, good compression.

Title: Re: Do I have an ignition problem?
Post by Dave on 12/12/14 at 15:23:00

Has it ever run correctly? Did this occur after some of the modifications you listed? Did the issue come on gradually....or all at once?

Title: Re: Do I have an ignition problem?
Post by gizzo on 12/12/14 at 16:09:08

Is there an ignition advance unit that is not working?

Title: Re: Do I have an ignition problem?
Post by Lucaisrussell on 12/12/14 at 17:20:50

The problem came on gradually. The bike has been running great then I left it out in the rain. The next day I took it for a ride and it started to act funny but nothing major. After 20 minutes of riding it was clear something was wrong. I've checked all electrical connections, cleaned out the tank and filter. Went through the carb, new gas.

Title: Re: Do I have an ignition problem?
Post by Lucaisrussell on 12/12/14 at 17:23:40

There is no ignition advance on the bike

Title: Re: Do I have an ignition problem?
Post by Kris01 on 12/12/14 at 18:07:52

If the plugs look wet then would it not be running rich? Does it smoke at idle or just off idle?

Title: Re: Do I have an ignition problem?
Post by Todd James on 12/12/14 at 20:36:02

Quote:
"I've limited it down to a problem with the ignition... "

How did you limit it down to a problem with the ignition ?
Your statement implies that you have tested and verified that all other functions
of the engine are operating correctly, such as fuel delivery, carburetion, air flow, compression, etc.
I'm not disputing your statement; just curious.

Title: Re: Do I have an ignition problem?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 12/13/14 at 07:14:54

I'd be hunting for the ground on the engine,, clean that too.
The slow progression onset makes me think ground.

Title: Re: Do I have an ignition problem?
Post by Steve H on 12/13/14 at 10:17:34

You said you were spraying fuel to look for leaks? Dangerous.

But you said it bogged down while you were doing this. You may have found a leak. If spraying fuel, it would have sucked it in and became a richer mixture instead of temporarily sealing the leak. But, wet plugs usually mean flooded or sloppy rich.

Choke working correctly? If it's a remote choke, it is actually working at the carb connection point? No chance a jet or needle could have come loose?

Points good? Gapped correctly? Condenser good? since it's a 77 I am assuming points, could be wrong.

My brother had an old dirt bike once that did exactly as you describe everytime it rained. Found out his pionts cover gasket was leaking. Fixed gasket, no more problem. If you could get it running and get it warmed up for a little while, the water evaporated and it ran ok.

Good luck with it. Sometimes these little machines can pull some really strange stuff on us.

Title: Re: Do I have an ignition problem?
Post by Demin on 12/13/14 at 11:48:30

Even if it's electronic ignition,you should have an advance on it.Underneath the points/ignition plate.

Title: Re: Do I have an ignition problem?
Post by Demin on 12/13/14 at 11:51:40

It will look something like this.

Title: Re: Do I have an ignition problem?
Post by HondaLavis on 12/13/14 at 16:28:52

I had to read up on what a crane cams Hi-4 was. I'm assuming that this is the one you have: http://www.cranecams.com/uploads/instructions/90004000b.pdf

Since I have no idea who installed it or if you've ever had this bike running properly, I'd start from the top. Is the system installed correctly? Are your trimpots and dip switches adjusted correctly? Are you timed right? All of these are good things for you to check yourself.

Here is another wrench in your gears: Through reading this I see that you have a vacuum operated electronic switch that affects partial ignition during partial throttle conditions. You might test that switch.

This is all my humble opinion. I have no experience on HD ironheads, but I DID stay in a Holiday Inn Express once. ;)

EDIT: Since you have an aftermarket electronic ignition I would normally worry about the strength of your spark, but if you really want to test that you can pick up an inline spark tester at your local Pep-Reilly's-Zone for about $12.

Title: Re: Do I have an ignition problem?
Post by justin_o_guy2 on 12/14/14 at 09:19:15

I would be very happy to offer help and advice, but,, I just dont know HOW to help.. Maybe if I was There, watching, lissnin, Id hit on something,, The Fresh Gas thing was a good idea, IMO,, Id probably wanna get it wound up and ;pull one plug wire,, Then try again, pull the other, see if it acts the same.

Insulated handle type tool,, right,, I didnt need to say that??