SuzukiSavage.com - Gen Question

foxx YaBB Newbies Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 20	Gen Question 09/03/13 at 06:48:50 if i got spark but not hot enough to fire what would cause that ?{ battery is charged to full.}
Back to top	IP Logged

verslagen1 YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline Where there's a will, I want to be in it. Posts: 28887 L.A. California Gender:	Re: Gen Question Reply #1 - 09/03/13 at 07:28:53 bad coil, bad ig box, bad ground, bad air.
Back to top	Versey's Place Tech Section Index IP Logged

Gyrobob Serious Thumper Offline Posers ain't motorcyclists Posts: 2571 Newnan, GA Gender:	Re: Gen Question Reply #2 - 09/03/13 at 07:43:02 If you have any spark at all, being delivered anytime near TDC,... AND,... there is an ignitable mixture in the combustion chamber, you'll at least get one cylinder-full to ignite. Getting it to continue running is another story. If you have spark, and there is no life at all, suspect a fuel problem.
Back to top	If you think there's good in everyone, you haven't met everyone. IP Logged

Charon

Serious Thumper

Offline

Posts: 1811
Harvard, NE
Gender: male

Re: Gen Question
Reply #3 - 09/03/13 at 07:57:57

My father used to tell me that about 90% of problems were spark-related. However, that was before electronic ignition systems (much more reliable than points).

We could use some more information. Is this a bike that was running, and just now quit? Or is it a barn queen being resurrected from from the dead? Is the "battery charged to full" a new battery, or several years old? For that matter, the original poster didn't even say what sort of bike it is (although from the posting on this forum we assume it to be an LS650).

Back to top

Eschew obfuscation.

IP Logged

Gyrobob

Serious Thumper

Offline

Posers ain't
motorcyclists

Posts: 2571
Newnan, GA
Gender: male

Re: Gen Question
Reply #4 - 09/03/13 at 08:07:02

Charon wrote on 09/03/13 at 07:57:57:

... 90% of problems were spark-related....

True, but he said he does have a spark. If the spark is weak or not timed properly, then getting the thing to continue to run is another story,... but,... if there is any kind of ignitable mixture in the cylinder, the weakest of sparks will cook it off.

p.s. -- when I used to work in a cube farm, my screensaver said eschew obfuscation.

Back to top

If you think there's good in everyone, you haven't met everyone.

IP Logged

justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: Gen Question Reply #5 - 09/03/13 at 08:18:13 eschew obfuscation. I wish people wouldjust say whatever theymean, Id try a good brake cleaner or ether spray in the intake, If it will run on that, youve got a fuel issue. Then Id slap a newplug in, thay can get weird
Back to top	The people never give up their liberties but under some delusion.- Edmund Burke. IP Logged

Charon

Serious Thumper

Offline

Posts: 1811
Harvard, NE
Gender: male

Re: Gen Question
Reply #6 - 09/03/13 at 08:54:03

Agreed - he said he has a spark. But a spark across a plug lying on the head isn't necessarily the same thing as a spark across that same plug installed in the engine under compression pressure. If he removed the plug and laid it on the engine to test the spark, then the starter isn't working as hard to turn the engine (no compression with the open plug hole); isn't loading the battery as much; and the battery voltage might stay high enough to fire the spark. Just a thought.

Back to top

Eschew obfuscation.

IP Logged

foxx

YaBB Newbies

Offline

SuzukiSavage.com
Rocks!

Posts: 20

Re: Gen Question
Reply #7 - 09/03/13 at 11:05:27

sorry it is an ls 650 1987 , had the carbs cleaned early this year . was running about 65 down the freeway and just quit. I did pull the plug and ground it to the head to see spark. I changed the petcock after it quit thinking it was bad. i pulled the carb and in doing so saw some dirt in the boot after the filter so that is bad, but it should fire on the ether id think. i'll pull the carb again and take apart . Thanks for kicking it around.

Back to top

IP Logged

Steve H

Serious Thumper

Offline

SuzukiSavage.com
Rocks!

Posts: 1223
Spartanburg, SC
Gender: male

Re: Gen Question
Reply #8 - 09/03/13 at 14:41:24

Have you tried another plug?

I've had plugs before that would fire perfectly when out grounded to the engine but wouldn't hit a lick when installed. Changed plug and everything was fine again. Not saying that's what's happening...just something to think about. Plugs are cheap and pretty quick to change. And, if it doesn't fix it, you'll have a spare for when you do need it.

Back to top

87 LS650, 2005 Ninja 250, 2009 Yamaha C3, 2001 Honda Reflex. On 2 wheels since 6/80.

IP Logged

Gyrobob

Serious Thumper

Offline

Posers ain't
motorcyclists

Posts: 2571
Newnan, GA
Gender: male

Re: Gen Question
Reply #9 - 09/03/13 at 16:10:30

foxx wrote on 09/03/13 at 11:05:27:

sorry it is an ls 650 1987 , had the carbs cleaned early this year . was running about 65 down the freeway and just quit. I did pull the plug and ground it to the head to see spark. I changed the petcock after it quit thinking it was bad. i pulled the carb and in doing so saw some dirt in the boot after the filter so that is bad, but it should fire on the ether id think. i'll pull the carb again and take apart . Thanks for kicking it around.

When you say, "was running about 65 down the freeway and just quit." do you mean it started running rough, slowed down, then konked out?

or

Do you mean it was running fine then acted like the kill switch was moved to "don't run anymore."

Back to top

If you think there's good in everyone, you haven't met everyone.

IP Logged

Night Train

YaBB Newbies

Offline

Back in the Seat
Again!

Posts: 12
Enola PA

Re: Gen Question
Reply #10 - 09/05/13 at 16:29:33

Quote:

or

Do you mean it was running fine then acted like the kill switch was moved to "don't run anymore."

"That's the voice of experience!
I spent the better part of a weekend trying to learn how a bike goes from running prime to dead as a rock when no one touched it. They say "Start with the simple stuff first". I tend to complicate simple.

Back to top

IP Logged

foxx YaBB Newbies Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 20	Re: Gen Question Reply #11 - 09/08/13 at 04:18:24 it quit like it was out of gas. after i pushed off the freeway it did start for a short but then died. carb is cleaned again but no change in getting it started. I'm going to take the ignitor to the mechanic and have it tested. book said the average jo dont have the equipment to check it. no hair left on my head to scratch.
Back to top	IP Logged

justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: Gen Question Reply #12 - 09/08/13 at 04:57:01 PLugs are cheap
Back to top	The people never give up their liberties but under some delusion.- Edmund Burke. IP Logged

Gyrobob

Serious Thumper

Offline

Posers ain't
motorcyclists

Posts: 2571
Newnan, GA
Gender: male

Re: Gen Question
Reply #13 - 09/08/13 at 14:20:21

foxx wrote on 09/08/13 at 04:18:24:

it quit like it was out of gas. after i pushed off the freeway it did start for a short but then died. carb is cleaned again but no change in getting it started. I'm going to take the ignitor to the mechanic and have it tested. book said the average jo dont have the equipment to check it. no hair left on my head to scratch.

Don't waste your money. If it has any spark at all, the igniter is okay.

You said it quit like it was out of gas. I infer from that you mean it started losing power, then stuttered on and off for a bit, then just stopped making any power at all,.. so you coasted to a stop.

If it were the igniter, it would have acted like you flipped the kill switch. If the igniter had failed, it would have gone from running fine to absolutely dead in a tenth of a second.

You have a fuel problem.

Back to top

If you think there's good in everyone, you haven't met everyone.

IP Logged

mjs3790225 Full Member Offline Finally making a presence! Posts: 103 Orlando, Fl Gender:	Re: Gen Question Reply #14 - 09/08/13 at 14:42:30 Quit like it was out of gas? Does your bike still have the stock petcock?
Back to top	1996 LS650 - University of Central Florida Complete: Raptor, Dyna, Carb rejet, Seat cover, Cam Chain, HID lamp, front pulley, plug leak MPGs please IP Logged