SuzukiSavage.com - Do I have an ignition problem?

Lucaisrussell

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Do I have an ignition problem?
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.

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Dave YaBB Moderator ModSquad Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 18096 Camp Springs, Kentucky Gender:	Re: Do I have an ignition problem? Reply #1 - 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?
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gizzo Serious Thumper Offline SuzukiCabbage. It's Savage. Posts: 1318 Australia	Re: Do I have an ignition problem? Reply #2 - 12/12/14 at 16:09:08 Is there an ignition advance unit that is not working?
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Lucaisrussell

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Re: Do I have an ignition problem?
Reply #3 - 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.

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Lucaisrussell Junior Member Offline SuzukiSavage.com Rocks! Posts: 55 Southern ca	Re: Do I have an ignition problem? Reply #4 - 12/12/14 at 17:23:40 There is no ignition advance on the bike
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Kris01 Serious Thumper Offline Eat, sleep, RIDE! Posts: 3767 Tennessee Gender:	Re: Do I have an ignition problem? Reply #5 - 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?
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Todd James

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Re: Do I have an ignition problem?
Reply #6 - 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.

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2007 S40, Dyna, 52.5/150, .073 Spacer, 2 Turns
2007 Sportster 1200, V&H Pipes

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justin_o_guy2 Serious Thumper Offline What happened? Posts: 55279 East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.	Re: Do I have an ignition problem? Reply #7 - 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.
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Steve H

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Re: Do I have an ignition problem?
Reply #8 - 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.

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

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Demin Serious Thumper Offline We need more chlorine in the gene pool Posts: 2435 Warren,Ohio Gender:	Re: Do I have an ignition problem? Reply #9 - 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.
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Demin Serious Thumper Offline We need more chlorine in the gene pool Posts: 2435 Warren,Ohio Gender:	Re: Do I have an ignition problem? Reply #10 - 12/13/14 at 11:51:40 It will look something like this.
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HondaLavis

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Re: Do I have an ignition problem?
Reply #11 - 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. Wink

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.

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"You ride a single cylinder motorcycle??"

"When you're good, one is all you need." Wink

I guess that means I'm no good anymore; I've got 4 more cylinders! '08 Yamaha FJR1300 and still '01 Savage

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justin_o_guy2

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East Texas, 1/2 dallas/la.

Re: Do I have an ignition problem?
Reply #12 - 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??

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The people never give up their liberties but under some delusion.- Edmund Burke.

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