Hello everyone,
How it all happened: I was working on my bike at my friends house. We were trying to weld on a muffler for my open pipe. While working on my bike, I remembered that there was a loose connection. It happened to be the starter magnetic switch. A couple of sparks flew and I recoiled back. Friend left the ignition on and connected to the battery. Afterwards I was on my way home and as I was pulling off from a stoplight, I felt the bike, lose all power and die on me. I was worried that my bike was a goner. So after pulling to the side of the road, I tried to start the bike again. No such luck. That's when I started getting the following symptoms found in the link below.
Cb550k starting issueI am trying to methodically diagnose the issue without spending money willy nilly. So lets get some basics known:
It is a CB550K 1975. I tried following the manual, and attempted some of the continuity inspections to find the faulty part. Thus far, I've checked the voltage on the battery, which was somewhat low 12.35 v, so I put it on the trickle charge for a bit to be sure.
I was slightly confused about checking the switch. I noticed that its making the proper connection to allow power to the lights but I'm unsure about the connection to getting it in the run position. And yes the bike run switch was in run when I set the video up. I have read that plastic sometimes melts within the housing but I'm not completely sure until I open her up.
I also replaced all the spark plugs, just in case the plugs were fouled. The bike was running rich before, as there was plenty of soot on the old plugs.
The timing was done recently so I don't believe that's quite an issue.
I fear that the issue may be either the coils (which are the originals), the starter (which sounds like its working), or the switch.
I realize I'm trying to address the "spark issue" in the common elements to starting an engine. But if you guys have any input that could help, it would be much appreciated!
-Frosty CB
