GL1000, 2 dead cylinders,Static ignition timing question

[Fconner]

Trying to sort out two dead cylinders (3/4). Getting fuel (wet plugs), no spark at plugs. Both coils tested fine for primary and secondary resistance. Voltage at blue and yellow wires at coil and at condenser. Idles fine on #1 and 2 cylinders. Went to check point gaps and do static timing. Light comes on as usual when static timing left side points. Right side…..light stays on. I’ve checked all connections, no apparent problem areas in wiring between coils/condenser or apparent shorts under points cover. Good ground for coils under mounting bolt. There’s 12v at both point wires. Anyone have thoughts on what is going on? Thank you!

[Rambozo]

Could be a bad condenser.

[Fconner]

Thanks. I’ll swap a condenser from another bike tomorrow and will let you know if it does the trick.

[Limpy45]

Does it spark at the points for that set? Maybe a new set is in order.

[Fconner]

Brand new points. No spark on the right (3/4 cylinder) side point.

[Rambozo]

No guaranty the new points are good. Unplug and test them, or maybe swap back to old points that were working when removed.
If the points are shorted to ground, it should be pretty easy to find out why. Things like missing insulator bushing, spring touching backing plate, etc.

I lost a pair of cylinders on a road trip many years ago. I stopped and checked things over several times, but it all checked out when stopped. Static timing was right on and opening the points gave me a good spark at the plugs. I finally made it back, and the next day went to go look it all over yet again. Only this time I did it while running with a timing light. Only then could I see that the rubbing block for one set of points was moving around. The rivet that held the block on was loose. I felt like an idiot for not seeing that on the side of the road.

[Fconner]

Thanks a lot for the guidance Rambozo. It’s got to be something like that. Bike hasnt run since mid-80s. 16k miles. Split cases over last winter. It’s just the little stuff now to sort out.

[Fconner]

Get a load if this. Went back at the points - with my glasses on this time. Noticed the R side point spring was just a little closer to the backing plate than the L. Not touching, maybe a mil off. Made it match L side, hooked up my test light and it now appears to do what it need to do. Like turn on and off on engine rotation. Haven't had a chance to set points, static time it or fire it up to see if I'm back on all 4 cylinders but its looking like my chances have improved. Thanks again for focusing me on looking closer at shorts in the points, Rambozo.