Topic: not firing on cyl 2/3 cb550, I'm not experienced with electric systems-help pls

[RFogelsong]

Sorry this couldn't be solved by a search, but it's too basic for any of the posts I've found

I posted a couple weeks back about my bike being knocked over onto the points cover.  The cover was dented and it looked like the condenser on the 2/3 points set had it's wire pulled out.  New condenser installed and we're still running on 2 cylinders with no visible spark at the 2/3 points while running. 

The points (2/3) seem to be coming apart okay when I rotate the crank to the right position, but I do notice a large bump on the points face.  The gap appears to be correct at everywhere but this place where there's a buildup on the face.  Can I file this down or is this what people mean by "burning up points"?

Also, educate me on the flow of electricity in this system.  Electricity should go battery-> points-> coil-> spark plug right? This is my first time messing with the electrical system on this bike as the PO had new points put in and gapped by the honda dealer right before I bought it. 

I've also heard people say to "switch the coils" and see if 2/3 start firing and 1/4 loose spark.  How do I do this? (what wires do I switch)

At this point I'm thinking I need a new set of points and that should solve it.  Right or wrong? Thanks

[RFogelsong]

Oh, and it ran perfect before being tipped onto the points cover, good spark, good timing, good fuel mix...perfect.  It will run on 1/4 only and I've had it running on 1/4 for a total of probably 2 minutes.  Could I have burned up the points in this time?

[Jiminy Indy]

Umm, current goes from the coil to the points so make sure you have juice at the coils first.

If there is a big tit of bad stuff on the face of your points you can file it down so you get good contact or just buy a new set of points - they're pretty cheap.

Do the easy stuff first...

[Xnavylfr]

Make sure when you hook the wires up from the condenser/points that the connector is NOT touching metal. You have to have the ceramic washers between the connector ends and the point attach ear!! Without the washers you cause a direct ground out of that set of points= NO SPARK.


Xnavylfr(CHUCK)

[DavePhipps]

Also check the wiring around the coils.Mine have a tendency to get nudged apart unless I'm careful putting the gas tank on.

[RFogelsong]

Simple mistake.  Xnavylfr got it right,  I had hooked up the new condenser on the wrong side of the little washer.  I thought that the washer was there to separate the two wires, not realizing that the other piece of metal would actually be attached to the  block and therefore grounded.  Thanks guys.

I didn't originally think it was a bad coil and everything else looked relatively alright so when the condenser didn't immediately fix it I got worried.  I also filed and gapped the set that was giving me trouble and it now runs better at an idle (occasional stumbling before)