running on 1

[farquare]

having a problem with the bike - hoping for a bit of help.

last big run on the bike was around x-mas time, all was well except the freezing weather. Bike was then put under cover and started every few weeks to keep things ticking over, at this time all was well.

Went to go for a run today and the bike's only running on 1 (the front). Its slow as anything and is shooting flames!!

I took everything apart and checked all the obvious things.
Plugs are new and gapped correctly, no moisture in leads etc.

Cleaned all electrical connections and its still the same. Will hopefully get a chance during the week to swap the front coil on to the back and vice versa to see if i can rule things out.

I'm thinking a coil or lead on the way out. Any tips for checking these items?

Is it likely to be somethng simple like a fuse or a relay?

If i need to get new items where and how much?

Cheers.

[mattSV]

Have you tried a fresh tank of fuel? Unleaded can go off after a couple of months or so.......

[husky03]

you know where to come mate-plenty spare coils in there-i'm on annual leave from friday for two weeks so bring her over and get it sorted(get your carbs balanced too)

husky

[farquare]

Originally Posted by husky03

you know where to come mate-plenty spare coils in there-i'm on annual leave from friday for two weeks so bring her over and get it sorted(get your carbs balanced too)

husky

Ha ha, good man!

Will try to narrow the problem down during the week then i'll give you a shout.

Had a full tank of super today too, plus some redex to see if it made any diff.

Will test spark by pulling the plugs and holding next to the frame, if i get a dud spark i'll swap coils then leads till i narrow it down.

cheers.

[husky03]

sound got two/three spare sets here anyway-baby will be here saturday at latest so will then be able to get out and about

I have the same problem (mines only running on the front), new plugs and fuel etc and it hasn't made any difference. It will be interesting to see if it is your coils, then i will no what to do next.

if youve rode it in the winter and its bin raining or the roads wet you could have salt trace's on and around your front spark plug. this will make the spark arc out before its travelled down into the head thus not firing. happend to me replace spark plugs clean up ht leads with electrical contact cleaner right up into the lead wewre it contacts the plug and clean around the engine casing were the lead and plug goes. then once plug and lead fitted pack the hole with some vasiline stops the salt getting down there in the future.

[Drew Carey]

Had same problem with mine a few months ago, 'Twas the coils, kindly fixed under warranty.

[farquare]

Well well well

Just spent a few hours taking the bike apart and swapping parts over.

First:

Took the coils off and swapped over - outcome, still just runing on the front

then: swapped plugs - outcome, now running on the rear and not on the front!!

So in summary, bike runs on 1 cylinder with either coil driving the good plug.

with both plugs out the compression (using my hands) feels equal on both cylinders. Also both are firing out fuel/air mixture.

Funny thing is, with both plugs out and holding the plugs next to the frame both plugs spark, obviously one is duff though.

Plugs were new for the MOT in november.

Think i've ruled out coils, compression, carbs and leads/connections.
Looks like the plug is sparking but must be faulty in some way. Will go get another tomorow and see how i get on with that.

[SVGrandad]

Plugs can spark in air but can fail under compression........................!