Topic: Replace ignition coils or no?

[aguerra]

I recently checked the resistance of my ignition coils based on a nice instructional post that a fellow named TwoTired (I think) wrote a while back regarding how to check for continuity in the ignition system.

My bike, when idling, would hold its idle for a bit and then suddenly a small pop would occur and then the idle would drop drastically and then shut off. I will say that I do have some carb issues and I already sent them out to be cleaned and rebuilt. However, even when I got the bike and it ran well on the street, it always had this issue at idle so I would have to keep my hand on the throttle at the light to make sure it wouldn't die.

When I checked my coils, one of them read 4.8 to 4.9 Ohms (close to the required 5 Ohms) while the other read almost exactly half, about 2.4-2.3 Ohms.

My question is, did I screw up reading the other coil in such a way that I would measure almost exactly half of the prescribed resistance?

Is it possible for the bike to even run with a coil that is that "off" and ride okay on the road?

I pulled the plugs and grounded them to the frame to see if I was getting spark in all of them and I was. I am kind of lost and am not sure if I should get some replacement coils for the bike from David Silver Spares just to make sure everything is "on point". I am in the process of tuning the bike up and getting it ready for summer in Oklahoma. The coils are an expense but not too bad in my opinion, however,I am starting to get a bit tired of pumping money into the bike. I am still in college and didn't really think twice about what I was getting my self into 3 years ago when I got her.

Thanks in advance for your help.

[Don R]

 Usually the first thing to do is the 3,000 mile check, If the carbs are being cleaned I'd try that, check for vacuum leaks and see where you are.

[flybox1]

+1
A 3000mi tuneup wont cost you but a few hours....

[PeWe]

You have plenty of cheap junk yards in US where you can find an old coil to test with, right?
Both coils should show same ohms.
Mybe new Dynatek 5 ohms coils? But they will cost some..

[lrutt]

If the coils work well at all speeds but idle, I'd be checking something other than coils.

Based on the minimal info, I'd guess float valve leaking such that after a bit the motor starts to flood out.

[Bodi]

I don't think you can screw up a resistance reading to show that much difference. For high resistance readings (megOhms) you have to be careful about touching the leads but that is not an issue at 5 Ohms.
Re-check the coils, if one is really 2-3 Ohms then replace it. That is too low and the extra current will damage points quickly. It also indicates that the coil is either an incorrect replacement, or failing internally if it was an original 5 Ohm unit.

[MoMo]

Have you checked the plug caps, make sure they are nice and tight and making good contact with the plug wire?