We've got fire!(oh, only on 1 and 4)

i'v got one and four sparking and switched wires to coils and two and three fire, so is it for sure the tci/cdi whatever ( that damn black box) ?????i hope you understand that the spark seemed to bring just alittle light of hope back to me and my bobber project! if you are FOR SURE please respond :?: this is so much of an emotional roller coaster for me :x
thank you :cry:

 

Yes, you have either a bad TCI or bad pickups.
Ohm out your pickup coils. Orange to Black and Green to Black. 650 ohms +/- 20%
Pull the TCI box and check the back of the circuit board. Look for cracked solder joints. Reflow any suspected joints with a soldering iron and a touch of solder.
Let us know if anything changes.

 

thank you robert i'll try that today

 

Uhhh Maybe you shouldn't?
These bikes use a wasted Spark ignition (you've got 4 cyls and 2 coils Right?? THEN you have the infamous Wasted spark setup)
IF so the coils fire BOTH cyls simultaneously. The spark travels from the coil to the 1st plug thru the metal of the Cyl head and UP into the next plug and UP the plug lead back into the secondary winding of the Coil .. sounds goofy as hell... BUT it's True and It apparently works..Or ..our Bikes would not run.
The TCI only makes distinction between the two coils, NOT the individual cyls.
IF ..one.. plug of a pair Fires .. It Ain't the Black Box it's doijng it's job 'jes Fine'.
Makes one wonder at how many "black" ign boxes were replaced needlessly over the years

Yama used the setup for most of the 80's best of my knowledge Likely because they thought they were saving a Yen in Build Costs.
Mercifully, New designs Do Not have this 'unique' setup though, using individual coils per plug.

 

I just went through the similar.... previous owner had bad spark plug boot on it.. i gave it a little tug and it fell off (should twist on).... the rest were loose... got new coils and runs fine

 

Yamabobber;

The bike looks great so far, I love the rear strut/fender set up. Keep us up to date with progress pics!

 

thanks worm, i'm finally back to progress! got a new/used tci box and all plugs are kicking. forward controls kickstand ect. from today to sunday. seems like alot kinda to do until MB bike week but, it will be done

 

What are you using for the forward controlls??

 

i got 5/16th stock rod threading the ends and steel plate for the brackets
i also got the pics from tcbroschoppers.com and i'm just making everything myself and relocating the mid-control pegs forward
BTW fellow electrician here for the last 14 years and now i works at a harley
dealership in parts while i studing for my exam (wife has great job)

 

Good for you!!

I've had both my licenses for a few years, but never had the pleasure of working with motorcycles for a living! I think i'd rather that than electrical!

Where in NC is Rosewood? My dad lives in Fayetteville.

 

I had same issue. 2 and 3 were not sparking but both coils were good. Test the pickups as stated above, if they ohm out correctly replace the TCI.

I got mine from fleabay for 49.99. You can find cheaper though.

 

I should have read the post before responding. Can you enlighten on the way the rear fender attaches?

 

Worm, it's of exit 97(@the large shopping center/Shelton's Harley my work) then 20 min. east on hwy 70 (blink and you'll miss it)about one hour before fayetteville off I-95.
Philbrewer,I welded a piece of angle for a battery box under the seat for starters. then took the 30 dollar boat trailer fender and cut one inch in on the curve at the end and bent the center in to be able to weld flat to the angle
then tacked it at the preferred placement of my liking. i can take so pics and post progress. i was already suppose to but the electric problem bumed me for a while. back into the swing of things now though. OH! and tacked welded
strut supports. everything will be bolted on @ finish.

 

Good luck with the license, how much longer do you have?