coil problem I think

[crowhorse]

Hi guys... 1977 GL1000 running on 2 cyl ...the 2 back cyls not firing... I suspect the coils ..Am I right in that the coils is set up to run the 2 fr.cyl. and the 2 back cyl.. ? I was reading about the neon coil pack conversion ..has anyone here done it ? I am off the road and dont like it..... well I have read on Steve saunders site that the neon conversion has worked .. However not much on a 1977 GL1000 conversion... Just putting it out there with limited funds also... Thanks for any help..

[Placerville]

[crowhorse]

Well, thanks for the help so far.... Took off the point cover,to check the points.. and I dont see any points that Iam used to seeing... I think it has a CDI ...Thats what a friend had suggested.. I will post a picture.. It has little springs and little round metal
studs that look like they make contact,during some motion...I do not know what this means in my quest to get it running again on all 4 cyl ...

[crowhorse]

Here is the photo of the what I expected to be points.... The springs don seem the same tension and weak... ,but maybe thats how they are supposed to be... any help I would appreciate ....

[wjnfirearms]

Those defiantly aren't points. Just because you have another type of ignition doesn't mean that it hasn't gone bad. It doesn't look like a Dyna system. If you can identify the manufacturer, you may be able to get testing info from them, or by a Google search, and see if that is the issue or not. I would also check all of the wiring ignition related and especially scrutinize any connectors for continuity and corrosion. Best place to start. I would also check the coils regardless. All you need to do these tests are a 12 volt test light and an inexpensive multimeter which any DIY biker should have anyway.

Valve issues can stop a cylinder from firing. I'd still lean toward ignition.

[crowhorse]

I have the other components to that ignition... I will put it back together and continue testing as you have suggested .... .. Thank you ...

[Viking]

That looks like a timing compensation plate to me. The faster you go, the more the wings open up against the spring pressure. Then when you slow, the springs pull them back in. If there were points there they are either deeper inside, which would mean they would run hotter, so would not be likely, or you took them off to get to that pic. You well may have electronic ignition. A way to check the coil is to reverse them. Put the coil you think is working where the maybe bad one is and vice versa, and hook them to the plugs they were not hooked to. If the rear cylinders begin to run, you have found the problem. If nothing runs, you have still found the problem. If the front ones still run, you have not found the problem, but your coils are good.

[crowhorse]

On the CDI box by the coils ...the name is Martek -- ...Santa Ana , California
The ignition is all put together and starts, still no spark from the 2 rear cyl.... I might need to adjust the timing..because I took that apart, but it starts....

Wow this is really getting bad.. I only have today to work on it....and where do I get another coil? they don't make them anymore for 1977...or do they ? And it looks like I have to take the faring off to get at the coil nuts..

Whatdo you guys think ? Put on dyna coils ? where do I get them from locally I hope ? I mean advanced auto have them or any others ? Thanks

[Fred Camper]

Coils are not inexpensive. Dynatek is a great choice but not the only choice. I have seen several automotive coil systems work. I run the Dyna coils and am very happy with them. They are a well proven solution. I bought mine direct from a Dynatek booth at VMD a few years back.