Recent content by Castle551

Ok, so I have untangled and cleaned most of the connections in the rats nest behind the headlight. The red live wire coming from the battery going to the ignition is Testing 12.5-6ish volts. All wires leaving the ignition are testing 11.85-11.90V. Is this a big enough drop to warrant overhauling...

I’m trying to follow the other as suggested and I just discovered that the problem seems to lie somewhere inside the headlight. With the key on, and the headlight on, I was “fondling” the rats nest and the neutral light, high beam light, and the headlight keep going on and off. I guess I’ll...

Just checked again. With the points open and the key on, it’s measuring at roughly 11.80 volts. This is with the battery hooked up to a tender throughout testing. Is the next step just to start unwrapping wire bundles and look for shorted wires? Or where would you suggest? At this point, I’ve...

Hello grizld1, so I just tested that red and white wire from the coil with the ignition on. Battery is showing 12.42 volts and the red and white wire is showing 11.46 volts. Is this adequate, or should I suspect to find a problem upstream of that wire?

So I think I’ve found some electrical gremlins. I’m cleaning and adjusting my points as shown in the video by, A Motorcycle Nut. According to my multimeter, with the key on, I’m getting pretty continuous continuity even with the points touching. I’m using one of the fins as a ground. I tried...

Thanks grizld1! I might dive back into the carb. I think the thing that confuses me the most is that the bike was running great till it wasn't. If it was the points, valve lash, compression, or some of the other electrical problems, it seems like it would happen more gradually. This was a shift...

Tested the red w/white stripe using the bike as a ground and it’s showing 4.5-5 volts. Just installed the correct spark plug. Bike starts really easily, but the left cylinder is the only one firing. When I actuate the right side butterfly valve, the sucking noise persists. I still have to check...

Ok, So I'm trying to run through it methodically as I've had time. Tested the battery and sure enough, the battery is bad. I replaced the battery and tested the coils and leads. primary on the coils is measuring 4.5ish. The secondary is measuring about 13k on each side. I bought new spark...

I don't have a spare plug yet, but I'll pick one up tomorrow. I put a multimeter to the spark plugs and it looks like the right side spark plug might have a short. Just out of curiosity, I swapped the spark plug leads and I couldn't get the bike to start. It looks like the bike has new coils...

Thanks for the response, jpdevol! I just bought the bike and it has newer plugs and wires. I just took both plugs out and the left side is a little black and sooty. Below is a picture of the right side. Wet and black. Right side (problem side) seems to be sparking, but it looks fouled. Both...

Update: Pulled the bowl off the right side carb and it’s full of fuel. Float and valve seem to move freely.

Hello! Long time listener, first time poster. I've got a 1975 xs650 with Mikuni carbs. I apologize if this question has been answered. I've searched, but I couldn't find it. I was out on a ride and everything was fine until I started losing power. I stopped on the side of the road and manually...