Topic: Will 550 run on dead battery?

[ajinreno]

So I sorted the timing out and it was running on all 4...but then another problem sprouted before I could test ride it...a matter for another thread. Thanks for your help everyone.

[ajinreno]

So my problem returned. Went out to start my bike today and only cyl 2-3 are firing. Decided to check the timing and the light does not ever come on for 1-4, but it does for 2-3. I checked the wires from the points to the splice near the coil with a multimeter. The working wire for 2-3 reads 00.6 ohms but the blue wire for 1-4 doesn't read anything. I know this may seem like a dumb question, but I tend to do dumb things...so am I right in thinking I have a faulty connection to the coil? Would that stop the timing light from working on 1-4?

[TwoTired]

The voltage for the points comes through the coil itself.  Check the power connection to the coil and the connection between coil and points.

[ajinreno]

In order to check the power to the coils, do I use a MM to read the voltage on the black/white wire to each coil? Do you know what it should read? And to check the connection to the points, do I check for ohm impedence on both yellow and blue between the coil and where it bolts to the point?

[TwoTired]

In order to check the power to the coils, do I use a MM to read the voltage on the black/white wire to each coil? Do you know what it should read? And to check the connection to the points, do I check for ohm impedence on both yellow and blue between the coil and where it bolts to the point?

Yes, that is a good plan.

The Bk/W wire should have very near what the battery voltage is.

[ajinreno]

OK, so I borrowed a MM from my neighbor...and I'm obviously not qualified to operate one. I couldn't get an understandable voltage reading off my battery. I'm sure I was doing something stupidly wrong. However, I did discover that my power to the coils comes from only one wire. Then close to the coil it is connected to a Y-connector that each of the power leads from the coils are connected to. To be sure, I swapped the 1-4 coil power lead into the connection that 2-3 was using. It still didn't work, no light came on my home made timing light. I put both connections back in their original spots and back to 1-4 not working and 2-3 working.

So I thought I would try reading the impedence on the blue and yellow wires from the coils to the points. The day before I tried I got no reading on the blue 1-4 wire. But this time I got a reading of 0.5 on the working yellow 2-3 wire and a reading of 5.0 on the non-working blue 1-4 wire. I have no idea what that means.

I'm tempted to thing there is something wrong with the blue connection from the coil to the point. If I buy a Dyna S, doesn't it come with new wires anyway?

I'm thinking maybe I do that since I would have to run new wire anyway and if still doesn't work, then it would have to be the coil, right?

Thanks for your patience and help!

[TwoTired]

Yes, I agree, you aren't qualified to use a multimeter.  (based solely on your report).     But, are you willing to learn?

When measuring resistance with an ohmmeter, you must remove external power from the circuit being tested.  I.E. disconnect the battery.

When measuring the wire between coil an point connection, temporarily place some non-conducting insulating material between the closed point contacts.

Disconnect both coils from the Bk/W connection,  and use the ohmmeter to measure between the disconnected coil wire to the points terminal post.

Each coil power lead to post reading should be about 5 ohms (assuming stock coils).  Report what you do get.

If either one gets an inordinate high reading, then divide and conquer.   Disconnect the yellow or blue wire (depending on which needs to be scrutinized) from the coil then measure across the coils and wire individually.

cheers,

[ajinreno]

TwoTired, what would it take for me to have you live in my garage and teach me in person? I could set up a real nice bed and tv for you...

I'll follow your directions tonight and post my results...

[TwoTired]

TwoTired, what would it take for me to have you live in my garage and teach me in person? I could set up a real nice bed and tv for you...

Spousal permission, and transportation, and...

Or, you could bring the bike to San Jose, CA.  Probably sort it out in an hour or less.

Actually, you can fix it with some perseverance, patience, and applied thought.

Cheers,

[ajinreno]

Perseverence I have to a fault, patience I'm so-so....applied thought, that's where I have trouble.

Probably shouldn't have told me you were in San Jose, I may be tempted to take you up on your offer as I am in the Bay frequent enough.

[TwoTired]

Perseverence I have to a fault, patience I'm so-so....applied thought, that's where I have trouble.

Probably shouldn't have told me you were in San Jose, I may be tempted to take you up on your offer as I am in the Bay frequent enough.

The offer stands.  PM beforehand though.  Spousal consideration matters, you know.

Cheers,

[ajinreno]

OK, I finally got to it. The yellow wire from the point post to the coil power lead read about 4.7.

The blue wire from the point post to the coil power lead read nothing, the meter didn't change at all.

I disconnected the blue wire from the coil. Across the coil it read 4.7. But the blue wire from the end to the point post still read nothing.

Also, I stuck a piece of rubber between both points.

So I'm guessing that means there is a break in the blue wire somewhere between the point post and the end near the coil. I'm planning on buying the Dyna S and replacing that whole section of wire. Does that sound right to you?

Thanks for the concise instructions!

[TwoTired]

So I'm guessing that means there is a break in the blue wire somewhere between the point post and the end near the coil. I'm planning on buying the Dyna S and replacing that whole section of wire. Does that sound right to you?

I think you just need to find the break in that blue wire and patch it, and your bike will run again.  The Dyna Purchase is up to you.  But, I don't know if it includes wire all the way the coil.  I was under the impression it used factory wiring.  If so, you have to fix that blue wire connection anyway, AND run another wire to deliver power to the dyna unit.

Me?  I'd fix the wire and make the Dyna decision later.   I'm still waiting to make the Dyna decision, btw, have been since 1980, or so.   

Cheers,

[ajinreno]

Just to finalize this thread... found the break in the wire, fixed it and rode it all weekend! Thanks TwoTired!

[j-conn]

I am pretty new to this all but,
I can start my bike and once its running i have had a connector to my battery come loose and it still runs. this has actually happed more that once becuase my wiring is a mess and i can start my bike right now without a key! so i have been just touching the (-) line to the battery to get it started and let it be.