Topic: A VERY BASIC QUESTION OF IGNITION SYSTEMS

[algophobe]

this is a very basic motorcycle mechanics questions but appears i've never really thought about it until now and can't figure it out.  please anyone enlighten me... so if on a four cylinder engine, with two pickups and two ignition coils, how does each coil (for example the 1/4 coil) knows when to fire the spark plug for cylinder 1 versus cylinder 4? how does it work? they both share the same pick up and same ignition coil, and since these paired cylinders 1/4 and 2/3 are opposite each other with each revolution of the crank case. do the two connectors coming out of each ignition coil alternate its output thru the spark plug wires down to the individual spark plug?

or is it in reality that each spark plugs fire twice per cycle during a 4 stroke cycle each time it passes the F mark?

[scottly]

or is it in reality that each spark plugs fire twice per cycle during a 4 stroke cycle each time it passes the F mark?

This. It's known as a "wasted spark" type system, as one of the pair is firing on the exhaust stroke while the other is firing at the top of the compression stroke.

[algophobe]

or is it in reality that each spark plugs fire twice per cycle during a 4 stroke cycle each time it passes the F mark?

This. It's known as a "wasted spark" type system, as one of the pair is firing on the exhaust stroke while the other is firing at the top of the compression stroke.

good to know, i knew someone could explain it to me! thanks.