1980 strangely won't fire up again.

mexipike · Full Member Joined: Jul 16, 2008 Posts: 49

so I just bought and installed mikes new two into 1 set with the short reverse megaphone which seems a very nice set despite the kick starter not quite going down all the way. Anyway I installed it and ran it for a minute, then I went and did a few things then began to ride it to work. It started for a second and got kind of weak, died and then it wouldn't start, it kept cranking, and cranking, but wouldn't fire up. I took the plugs out and checked for a good spark but it seemed inconsistent and not very powerful. I'll put some new plugs in tomorrow maybe that;ll fix it.
Unfortunately I kind of doubt that that will fix it. Lately it's been a little weird, also, it dies sometimes at a light, after running really hard it'll just die. Or if I rev it a little, it'll just die. What does this sound like?? Could it be my cdi? Let me know what you think.

Thanks,
John

xsjohn

I would clean all the wire connections including the large wire plugs and the ignition switch and kill switch and use dielectric grease........then clean the carbs good including the pilot circuit........the carbs are really lean so any crud in them makes them unworkable.......

xsjohn

yamaman

Time to get the dust off your multimeter & do all the basic checks. Voltage to all the right places & in the right amounts, also correct resistance in your charging circuit!
Plenty of posts around to start you off!

Retiredgentleman

The fuse panel is a prime suspect for this kind of problem. If the bike still has the original type fuse panel ( 4 fuse positions with glass fuses), you should remove it and replace it with blade type automotive fuses. The old panels are worn out and will cause many electrical problems. Solder and heat shrink the new connections.

mexipike · Full Member Joined: Jul 16, 2008 Posts: 49

I do have the original type fuse panel, but it's a replacement from mikes. My carbs are fairly new mikuni vms and have been running good so I don't think their the culprit but I'll check. I guess I'll just start tryin things, I gotta go buy a new multimeter tomorrow, any suggestions on a good one. What would make it die when revved at a light?? Is there a good link for how to install the automotive type fuses?? If it were the kill switch or the ignition, would it actually crank and try to start and not turn over like it's doing now?? Thanks so much for helping me get through this??

mexipike · Full Member Joined: Jul 16, 2008 Posts: 49

So I put new plugs in it and it and it worked again. I also cleaned up a lot of connections and put some dielectric gel on all of them. It worked fine but then it rained again. Whenever rains it seems to lose all hope. Last time I just swapped the plugs and it worked again, however it seems that only one is not working, they also don't really look fouled but chaniging them works. By this poing usually the bike is dry. Could it be that my pod air filters on the vms I have are just getting too wet and not working because of that? Last time I got the bike started and then limped it to the autoparts store, basically on one cylinder and got the plugs in and was good to go. any ideas???

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