Author Topic: Replaced handlebars lost spark Help??? (Read 5233 times)

2strokeTrush · « **on:** March 28, 2015, 06:23:47 AM »

So my side project 74 550 with a good 77 550 engine, came with 2 foot ape hangers on it. Obviously I had to change them out. So I put some lower bars on, wired up and all, but now I have no spark! All switches are working. Bike didn't come with the clutch start wired kill switch thing so could this be a issue? I have read you can bypass this, but unsure of how to. Any help would be great! thanks;)

DH · « **Reply #1 on:** March 28, 2015, 07:17:33 AM »

clutch start feature will inhibit starter circuit and cause no crank condition. check your kill switch circuit. it delivers power to the ignition coils. Black/white wire at coils should become live with kill switch in run position. If no power there, back track the circuit
and find out where the power is being interrupted. Look for loose or disconnected connectors. Are the points wires connected
Blu and yellow at the main harness, (vicinity of the rear brake lite switch)?

2strokeTrush · « **Reply #2 on:** March 28, 2015, 02:53:57 PM »

Thanks man I'll give it a go!

2strokeTrush · « **Reply #3 on:** March 30, 2015, 06:52:48 AM »

So upon further inspection i remembered i never checked the turn signals, these are not working now. IS it possible I have those wires mixed up with something that could inhibit the spark? Im going to investigate it right now

calj737 · « **Reply #4 on:** March 30, 2015, 06:57:12 AM »

Sounds like your new bars are not grounded. The control needs to ground to the bar, the bar to the top clamp, the clamp to thigh bone, the thigh bone to the...

Take a multimeter and check continuity to the battery - post by touching the control housing. Then repeat to the ground strap point (control housing to frame ground). You might be surprised you don't have a closed loop-

2strokeTrush · « **Reply #5 on:** March 30, 2015, 08:42:16 PM »

Thanks for the help it was indeed a bad ground. Unfortunately I like a idiot used starter fluid and the bike backfired while trying to start, igniting the carbs and melting the gas tank. Luckily no one was hurt ( except my pride ). The bike itself is alright the carbs burned but I believe are rebuildable. The wiring harness has melted and the original very beautiful pant burned off the tank. Not a good night but thanks again for the help

calj737 · « **Reply #6 on:** March 31, 2015, 04:35:43 AM »

$:-\$ (slaps forehead and droops while shaking his head)

Tyler, a quick tidbit for you- when you diagnose a problem, remember that "more of the same won't change your luck". If you have a "no spark" issue, abandon fuel accelerants. These are strictly for fuel problems! I personally don't like starting fluid at all for this very reason. Very difficult to tell how much is too much, and with the induction filters off, a nice plume of flame likes to come back out the way it went in....

Delighted you aren't hurt, and if there's a way I can help on the paint, drop me a line.

2strokeTrush · « **Reply #7 on:** March 31, 2015, 06:07:07 AM »

Quote from: calj737 on March 31, 2015, 04:35:43 AM

$:-\$ (slaps forehead and droops while shaking his head)

Tyler, a quick tidbit for you- when you diagnose a problem, remember that "more of the same won't change your luck". If you have a "no spark" issue, abandon fuel accelerants. These are strictly for fuel problems! I personally don't like starting fluid at all for this very reason. Very difficult to tell how much is too much, and with the induction filters off, a nice plume of flame likes to come back out the way it went in....

Delighted you aren't hurt, and if there's a way I can help on the paint, drop me a line.

Thanks Cal. Been pretty upset since it happened and now I am guessing I'll have to repaint the tank. Something I have never done. Any good threads you know of? I have a nice paint gun and a good air compressor so it's not impossible for me to do it. Just new to me

Stev-o · « **Reply #8 on:** March 31, 2015, 06:19:38 AM »

Quote from: 2strokeTrush on March 30, 2015, 08:42:16 PM

... igniting the carbs and melting the gas tank.

Holy #$%*e! Melted the gas tank, WTF?

DH · « **Reply #9 on:** March 31, 2015, 06:27:23 AM »

Man, I hate to hear that. Glad there was no worse damage, to you or your house/shop. Sorry about the bike. Hoping you can bring it back.

2strokeTrush · « **Reply #10 on:** March 31, 2015, 06:37:51 AM »

Quote from: Stev-o on March 31, 2015, 06:19:38 AM

Quote from: 2strokeTrush on March 30, 2015, 08:42:16 PM
... igniting the carbs and melting the gas tank.

Holy #$%*e! Melted the gas tank, WTF?

Melted the cap, petcock, chrome strip and petcock

2strokeTrush · « **Reply #11 on:** March 31, 2015, 06:38:02 AM »

Quote from: Stev-o on March 31, 2015, 06:19:38 AM

Quote from: 2strokeTrush on March 30, 2015, 08:42:16 PM
... igniting the carbs and melting the gas tank.

Holy #$%*e! Melted the gas tank, WTF?

Melted the cap, paint, chrome strip and petcock

2strokeTrush · « **Reply #12 on:** March 31, 2015, 06:38:53 AM »

Double edit post my bad

calj737 · « **Reply #13 on:** March 31, 2015, 07:45:03 AM »

If you plan on a stock color repaint, these are tricky due to the layering of the paints. A single non-stock color can be done by anyone with some patience, and care, and a wee bit of practice.

If it were me, I would now strip the tank to bare metal as you can't tell how much of the stock paint may have suffered from the heat. Relying on it now to provide proper adhesion for repainted layers is optimistic. Not required, but it's how I'd do it.

Use Aircraft stripper to chemically strip the tank. Then, 320 grit or Green ScothBrite pads on a grinder, and sand down the remnants. Then, degrease the surface with acetone. Shoot etching primer. A quick block sanding with 400 grit to scuff it a bit. Then shoot your colors, followed by 2-4 light coats of clear. Once the clear has cured, wet sand with 1500 grit, then 2500 grit. Follow with a buffing compound. Voilà! Old Jed's a Millionaire-

I may have a petcock for you. Shoot me a picture of yours, and I'll see if mine is compatible.

wjustinleigh · « **Reply #14 on:** March 31, 2015, 09:10:31 AM »

I had stripped a tank and after painting it was surprised how 'wrinkly' it was, looks like there was significant amounts of filler direct from the factory. I did this to two tanks ('71 and '72 cb500) and saw it on both tanks. The first one I didn't really notice and painted it from the bare metal and was disappointed with the final. Next one I had an awesome body guy straighten first, looked way better. Still annoyed when I look at the first one and see the subtle waves in the tank.

Sorry about your bike, glad to hear it's rebuildable.

calj737 · « **Reply #15 on:** March 31, 2015, 09:26:51 AM »

Justin - there would not have been any filer from the factory. The tanks were stamped and pinch welded. If there was filler, it was from a PO repair.

Once the metal is dented, wrinkled, or creased, its nearly impossible for it be glass smooth again without significant metal working it, or the use of surfacing compound. I just helped a buddy with a custom tank, and cut the shell off 2 tanks, used the stock tunnel and welded the "custom" shell to it. While apart, I was able to hammer and dolly the metal to get it really straight but for a show bike quality finish, the painter will need some small amounts of surfacer to get it glass-like.

Just an FYI-

wjustinleigh · « **Reply #16 on:** March 31, 2015, 02:18:21 PM »

I may be using the wrong term as it may not have been filler but there was a substance that wasn't just primer that was used to fill in the slight waves in the tank for the original paint job. They were definitely original paint - in one case rattle can over original. I have pics somewhere, I'll post them.

The guy who worked out the waves was really good, does show hot rods as a profession, beautiful stuff. Here's he tank after he got done with it - http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?action=dlattach;topic=110879.0;attach=282912;image. Had a big dent where the flash reflection is that he worked out of it with a metal hammer. The other I had powder coated on the bare metal - which looked good as metal - but once powder coated you can see the imperfections. Just saying if I was to do it again from metal like the OP I'd spend more time getting the surface right first.

calj737 · « **Reply #17 on:** April 01, 2015, 07:44:46 AM »

Here's the spare from my bins

grcamna2 · « **Reply #18 on:** April 01, 2015, 07:55:23 AM »

Quote from: 2strokeTrush on March 30, 2015, 08:42:16 PM

Thanks for the help it was indeed a bad ground. Unfortunately I like a idiot used starter fluid and the bike backfired while trying to start, igniting the carbs and melting the gas tank. Luckily no one was hurt ( except my pride ). The bike itself is alright the carbs burned but I believe are rebuildable. The wiring harness has melted and the original very beautiful pant burned off the tank. Not a good night but thanks again for the help

OUCH

! WOW
Tyler,you must be glad the tank didn't Blow;did you have a fire extinguisher ?

2strokeTrush · « **Reply #19 on:** April 04, 2015, 11:24:31 AM »

Quote from: calj737 on April 01, 2015, 07:44:46 AM

Here's the spare from my bins

I don't think it will work:( thanks tho!

2strokeTrush · « **Reply #20 on:** April 04, 2015, 11:25:01 AM »

Quote from: grcamna2 on April 01, 2015, 07:55:23 AM

Quote from: 2strokeTrush on March 30, 2015, 08:42:16 PM
Thanks for the help it was indeed a bad ground. Unfortunately I like a idiot used starter fluid and the bike backfired while trying to start, igniting the carbs and melting the gas tank. Luckily no one was hurt ( except my pride ). The bike itself is alright the carbs burned but I believe are rebuildable. The wiring harness has melted and the original very beautiful pant burned off the tank. Not a good night but thanks again for the help

OUCH ! WOW
Tyler,you must be glad the tank didn't Blow;did you have a fire extinguisher ?

I did but it wasn't close enough!

grcamna2 · « **Reply #21 on:** April 04, 2015, 04:10:15 PM »

You had a few angels around w/ you that day

2strokeTrush · « **Reply #22 on:** April 04, 2015, 09:27:14 PM »

Quote from: grcamna2 on April 04, 2015, 04:10:15 PM

You had a few angels around w/ you that day

Considering my shop is in the basement of a church parsonage thats quite likely

grcamna2 · « **Reply #23 on:** April 05, 2015, 05:09:52 AM »

Happy Easter Tyler

2strokeTrush · « **Reply #24 on:** April 05, 2015, 04:20:07 PM »

Happy Easter! Thanks for the help!

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Author Topic: Replaced handlebars lost spark Help??? (Read 5233 times)

DH

DH