1969 L5T Trailmaster

So ok, I have been desperate to get my hands on my Grandfather's two old Yamaha's. One is at his house in southern PA which will be a long time till I see that one. His other one however is at his cabin in the mountains of PA just over the border from NY here. So since my New wife and I were looking for Honeymoon spots we headed to the cabin and while I was there I just could not resist getting my hands dirty in the old Yammie.

So this is what we are looking at.









So all things considered she is in A LOT better shape than I was imagining she to be in since the last time that I saw her was the last time I rode her in the mid 90's. I was the last to ride her too... She has not been riden in almost 20 years. So sad.

So anyway enough of the sob story and onto the reason that I am posting anything on here. Obviously for sentimental reasons I want to get both his bikes up and running again. So I tried to get her to start. Luckily in the late 60's, although she has an electric start. The Kick starter is still there. Things that I noticed while I was working on her.

1) We have compression. There were some times where it was really hard to kick her.

2) We have fuel delivery. With the plug out and cycling the kick starter the garage REAKED of gas.

3) we have oil injection. The plug was black when it was in and the engine cycled.

4) we have no spark. This is were the problem lies. Obviously with no spark, no bang, no run. So here is where I need some help. I know that with our XJ's a weak battery can lead to no spark. I can almost be assured that the battery on this one is DEAD... since no one has touched the thing in 20 years. But at the same time I am not sure. Seeing that it has a kick starter, how vital is the battery. Looking at what electrical diagrams I can find I do not see any Coils, leading me to believe that it may have a magneto, which should spark off with or without the battery. Or so I would think. So I am a bit puzzled. I was thinking of taking the XJ down there sometime in the near future and putting the good battery to it and see if that helps. But I thought I would tap the infinite knowledge on here first to see what anyone thinks. Or if I overlooked something huge.

Thanks guys.

 

There is a coil under the fuel tank, or rather there is suposed to be a coil under the tank.
Perhaps grandpa got tired of some kid riding his motorcycle, so he took the coil off :wink:
http://www.yamahapartshouse.com/oemparts/a/yam/50041546f8700209bc7842a2/electrical
All of the usual suspects apply.

 

Is it a 6 or 12 volt electrical system? Check that before hooking up any battery.

 

Thanks K-Moe. I have been looking at that diagram in several places, and none of them stated what part 17 was. So we obviously now know it has a coil which makes me think the battery again.

Kdub, yes I have thought the same myself. Unfortunately in my research so far I do not know. Since the same battery was used in the SR500 though I am assuming that it is a 12v system.

 

According to the part number for the battery it is 12V

 

Thanks Maverick! So looks like the next plan of attack is to get another day off to head down there with a battery and see what happens