Welded Frame, Bike wont start.

nikiforova

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I done goofed. I tack welded my frame without removing all the electronics. I disconnected the battery and had the ground just to the rear of the terminal and the fuses. The bike turns over, lights work, but it will not start. I dont even know where to begin with trouble shooting this bike. It is a 1983 xs650, I gotta get it up and running soon, where do i start troubleshooting?
 
Oh jeez! Well, first pull and ground spark plugs to see if it sparks, if not see attached:
 

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It's commonly said 'round these parts that welding on the frame of a TCI bike with the (TCI) box still installed will fry it. I always considered that more voodoo than fact.... but who knows. Be interesting to see what you find.
 
I don't think TCI is available. Plug check is to see if the rest of the system is producing spark. Pull plugs, put them back in their caps and ground threads of plug to head and hit starter. See if they spark.
 
Someone should link Gonzo set-up, just in case.......
 
Someone should link Gonzo set-up, just in case.......
Yeah, do a forum search for "gonzo ignition." You can pick one up (amazon, Ebay etc) for less than 20 bucks. If your TCI box is fried, it's a cheap alternative. I've still got some pigtails to adapt it if you need it. I'll bump that to the front page.... here.
 
I don't think TCI is available. Plug check is to see if the rest of the system is producing spark. Pull plugs, put them back in their caps and ground threads of plug to head and hit starter. See if they spark.
Okay so I replaced my plugs (they needed it anyway) and I tested for spark and got nothing. Battery reads 11.8 volts sitting and about 9.8 when cranking, its a 14v so i guess it might be dead. I also tried jumping the bike and still got no spark.
Edit: my coil is not giving me any reading to the spark plugs. Seems like that might be the problem. Also below are pictures of my fuses (first time looking at them, I know they’re rough) battery voltage, and readings on my coil and coil to spark plug. Here is a video of me trying to start the bike
 

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Battery may need charged. Have charger (best @ 1.5amps)?
Do you have a multimeter to measure Ohms (resistance) per specs in "troubleshooting" pdf file above?
 
Do you have a multimeter to measure Ohms (resistance) per specs in "troubleshooting" pdf file above?
I charrged for a couple hours last nights. Its a 14v so if its reading 11.5 resting, is it a goner? My coil is definitely fried and needs replacing
 
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Better to find the connector, in this case the connector for the TCI Igniter Unit (under seat?). P/U coils will be white/red stripe, black/white stripe, white/green stripe. Also should be found at first big connector coming up from left side engine case
 
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This from '80 model - I think same as '83 (?)
80_XS650G SCHEMATIC.PNG
 
Not giving this as an advice ..But I have done it at times .. When I get Angry .. Never on a Stock TCI mostly done it with points

Connecting an Old type charger for Cars .. non intelligent not with a lot of LEDs they give a bit to high Amperage but back in he early Eighties I used it for MC .Battery Nothing else . not for long times It worked then with those battery's

Battery in motorcycle connect the charger checking the meter ..on charger ..measure the Voltage across battery with charger connected .
giving the battery a boost so to speak

AND then try to kick .. watch for spark And then disconnect .And being careful not sparking disconnecting and so it can work
Someone else chime in if this is a bad idea
 
First Ign. Coil Primary at coil input : Brown (sometimes orange) to red/white stripe = 2.5-3.0 Ohms
Secondary coil : Brown (Orange) to connected plug cap 13,000 -15,000 Ohms

Pick-up Coil described above between those wires 700 Ohms
 
Ah.....your last pic appears to be a good reading of 2.8 Ohms on coil primary:)
Coil secondary attempt appears connected wrong
 
Ah.....your last pic appears to be a good reading of 2.8 Ohms on coil primary:)
Coil secondary attempt appears connected wrong
my pickup is sitting right at 712. I dont think my coil secondary is connected wrong. Ive tried it on both plug caps with the orange wire and im not getting any reading. Also tried it with the black one and got the same. Ive tried connecting both plugs as well to get a reading and got nothing there either.
 
Perhaps change the MOV scale 200K or 20K Ohm and try Orange to plug cap again
 
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