So, the 82 CB650SC I picked up for nothing about 2 years ago, that would run for a bit, and bog out, then run some more, then refuse to start at all the next time, and so on until I didn't want to see the thing in the barn ever again, I actually got to ride yesterday!
Because, after rebuilding the carbs, ohming out the electrics, scratching my head in confusion, reading the tech section in the (old) forum again hoping that someone had described my problem, and walking away from the bike again, I finally noticed that one of the spade connectors on the back of one of the coils wasn't actually in the spade connector, but jammed in between the connector and the insulating boot. There's nothing like an intermittent electrical problem to really let you explore how dumb you are sometimes. Sure, you could argue that an intermittent can be tough to find, and I would certainly agree with you, and then point out that I work on avionics for a living and should $@#$%!* know better. The bike makes a better 4 cylinder than a twin, it seems.
At least it runs. Fired up on the first try, and ran like I've never heard this bike run before. Who knows when the connector was put back wrong, but I bet it had a lot to do with the price I paid for the bike. After that, I had to take a quick spin around town, just to see if everything was working. I had already rebuilt the forks, calipers and head bearings, but the rest of the bike was an unknown. There was a fair amount of maintenance that I had been refusing to do unless I knew the bike would run, so I need to catch up on that.
I was impressed, though. A whole different ride from the GS450 I have. I can't wait to get it registered and clean up the little items so I can get it out on the road. It idles a little rough, but the air screws are all set at best guess, the gas isn't new, and I haven't adjusted the valves yet. It may have a worn tach or cable, too, because it sounds better than that needle looks. I'm sure it will get there, a working bike is much easier to work on!
It also dragged me out of permanent lurker mode...............................
Kevin
