Danny Boy23 Posted May 24, 2010 Share Posted May 24, 2010 ok so im new to the forum ive had this xs500 for a couple weeks now bought it for 450 dollars with a parts bike i got the bike running after 7 years off the road carbs are clean and flowing right side cylinder runs both coils are good starts right up but left side has no spark... any ideas? it has fresh plugs good coils i swapped them from side to sideand right still runs any help is appreciated Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramblerdrver Posted May 24, 2010 Share Posted May 24, 2010 ok so im new to the forum ive had this xs500 for a couple weeks now bought it for 450 dollars with a parts bike i got the bike running after 7 years off the road carbs are clean and flowing right side cylinder runs both coils are good starts right up but left side has no spark... any ideas? it has fresh plugs good coils i swapped them from side to sideand right still runs any help is appreciated Have you checked the points & condensers? Points might be corroded after several years of not running. Get a point file (or some emery paper...but be sure there's not emery grit left on the points...use a slip of paper/cardboard soaked with alcohol and slip it thru the closed points) and "dress" the points. Then set them correctly (014=.016" I think). With ignition on, points closed and spark plug removed,open the points with a wood "stick" (pencil?). You should get a good spark across the plug (1/8-1/4"). If not, keep checking for other electrical gremlins. Have you checked compression to be sure left cylinder is good? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny Boy23 Posted May 24, 2010 Author Share Posted May 24, 2010 Have you checked the points & condensers? Points might be corroded after several years of not running. Get a point file (or some emery paper...but be sure there's not emery grit left on the points...use a slip of paper/cardboard soaked with alcohol and slip it thru the closed points) and "dress" the points. Then set them correctly (014=.016" I think). With ignition on, points closed and spark plug removed,open the points with a wood "stick" (pencil?). You should get a good spark across the plug (1/8-1/4"). If not, keep checking for other electrical gremlins. Have you checked compression to be sure left cylinder is good? ill check compression tommorow luckily i have a checker... points looked new but ill give them a once over and get back to ya.. thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny Boy23 Posted May 24, 2010 Author Share Posted May 24, 2010 ok so today i changed the condensor and checked the points with a test light both are working traced the wire to the connector its fine coils are both getting power both are goood still no spark on the left cylinder... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Danny Boy23 Posted May 25, 2010 Author Share Posted May 25, 2010 ok so today i changed the condensor and checked the points with a test light both are working traced the wire to the connector its fine coils are both getting power both are goood still no spark on the left cylinder... ok so figured it out partially changed the left point now i got spark but its out of time... anyone got a guide to setting the timing?... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ramblerdrver Posted May 25, 2010 Share Posted May 25, 2010 ok so figured it out partially changed the left point now i got spark but its out of time... anyone got a guide to setting the timing?... You need to have or make a 12v test lamp...a tail-light bulb and socket with two leads that can be connected across the points with alligator clips. With ignition on, the bulb will light when points open, which is when spark accurs. There should be a small pointer or mark on the crankcase and some marks on the point mounting plates that are labeled "t" and "f" for each cylinder (marked with a "L" or "R"). Hook up test lamp across the left cylinder breaker point and rotate crank slowly (remove the 10mm allen head screw on left side of breaker point housing, then insert the 10mm allen wrench into the hole to engage a gear and turn the crank). The timing for left cylinder is correct when the bulb lights just as the pointer and "F" mark for left cylinder line up. Adjust this by moving the whole breaker point plate. THIS ADJUSTS ONLY THE LEFT CYLINDER TIMING! You next MUST also adjust the timing for the right cylinder. Follow same proceedure as for left cylinder BUT you move only the smaller plate the right breaker points are mounted on. When done, be sure to reinstall that 10mm allen head screww. Service manuals can be found on eBay...both paper versions and on CD. Even with a factory manual, you still need to often "scratch you head" ! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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