No spark 84 BR

[goodgreenbandit]

Just helped my friend install a head and cover back on his 1984 Big Red. Got the engine back in the trike, and we don't have any spark. The compression seemed weak from the pull rope's point of view, but now that I haven't been to his house in awhile, the pull rope won't pull. One of his friends came over and said that it could be 180 degrees out of timing. Could the timing make it a hard pull/soft pull type of situation I explained, and that's how I'm not getting spark?? I fixed the engine using the manual provided here. Did I miss something about being 180 out. I thought I checked that w/ TDC, but I think the piston is at TDC, 180 out too, I think....? Can someone help me out here? Is there anything that coulda slipped/moved to jam up the engine? It had previously turned over just fine. I'm sure we tightened everything down, I reset the cam tensioner and the valve gap.

[goodgreenbandit]

really....?????? nothing???????

[goodgreenbandit]

Not sure if someone's gonna read this, since I started this thread awhile ago:crazy:, but I'm back to working on 'er and I need some help. Got the engine to turn over today, so I moved the engine 180 degrees and still no spark. I tried testing my CDI unit w/ regular multimeter, but the book says I need SANWA or KOWA tester. Just :wonderingwondering:wondering if there's a way around that, or do I need a special one, & where do I find them?? Any other suggestions on how I should go about this would also be very helpful. Please!!! I need some help!!!......

[bucko]

Wish I could help ya man,I cant believe nobodys chimed in yet.

[goodgreenbandit]

Yeah me too!! It's been looked at over 70 times, I'll admit, a lot of them were me, but I'm hopin for something. It can't be too hard of a problem. Thanx anyway bucko.

[muthey]

I tested all mine with a expensive cen-tech digital multi meter, your best bet is to try one off of a working BR, I haven't torn open a motor yet to be able to help you with any info on why it went from really soft pull to hard,but as for spark try that and then if nothing else clip about an eigth inch off the end of spark plug wire before the end cap sometimes it will foul there.

[goodgreenbandit]

I don't have any extra's that I know work for sure. I have another 84 BR, but I tested the 2 CDI boxes and they both tested the same, but using the wrong tester, I don't know if they're both toast or what. I also tested the spark plug wire off the trike and the resistance is right in the primary coil and the second, but there isn't continuity through the plug cap(the part that slips over the plug) My buddy told me I can get one at Napa. When we put the coil back on the trike, we couldn't get any spark from the end of the wire (even w/o the boot) so I think my problem goes deeper, that's why I started testing the CDI. The end of the wire should make a spark when held close to ground even w/o the boot, shouldn't it??

[muthey]

yes it should, have you checked the alternator or stator yet, and also try it with the kill switch off, my 81 200 was wired backwards. Does the other br run if so try your cdi's on it , there is a spot on the motor that says cdi, pull the cover and clean out the red dust it builds up of time pretty much is the distributor on a trike, and if all else fails take your cdi to a Honda shop, or any motorcycle shop they should be able to test them for free

[goodgreenbandit]

The other BR doesn't run, so no good there. I unplugged the kill switch, and tried that(my buddy said they provide a connection to ground to kill the engine, so unplugging should have taken the switch out of the equation, if that were the prob. I'll go clean out the red dust, should I shine up the contacts w/ some emery cloth?? Never thought of getting it tested at a shop, nearest one's 45 min. away, but if it comes down to that, that's what I'll do. I looked up the SANWA tester on ebay, and they want $45-$75 for one. I might know a shop in town that may have one. Thanx 4 your help muthey.

[muthey]

yeah clean the contacts with emery cloth, and I used a cheap test light to test the alternator, and stator on mine, personally I would drive the 45 miles than buy a tester that you may only use once, and hope that it actually works have had some bad luck with eBay electronics. I have a friend that has an 83 18 and he's the one that told me the pulsar generator will arc out with the dust, so I go to him with a lot of my Honda questions

[goodgreenbandit]

Figured it out!! Got 'er running! A couple of wires coming from the alternator were plugged into each other, instead of the wire harness. Plugged 'em in and she had spark!! Cleaned out the tank w/ some bolts & gas, & put a double loop of clear fuel line on it, & she was a runner. It's leaking around the petcock and out of the carb. I think I've read on here when they dry up, the fiber washer dries up and leaks, but swells when you put some gas on it for awhile. The tank's been empty for about 6 months or more. Took the carb apart and boy, that thing is dirty!! Was wondering if anyone knows if the o-ring for the float chamber is preformed or is it just a round o-ring??

[muthey]

any I've ever removed were preformed

[goodgreenbandit]

What about ones you bought new?? I'm wondering if you can buy a round o-ring and form it in the grooves, or if you buy them preshaped

[muthey]

I'm pretty sure they come preformed in carbkits

[goodgreenbandit]

Couldn't wait for parts, reused the old one w a little nonhardening gasket maker, resistant to gas. Put a super thin bead around the outside of the oring, top and bottom, let her cure for a couple minutes, and said a prayer. It's been almost a week and she's still holding fuel, no leaks. One more question, what goes onto the nipple on the left side of the carb?? it's inside the choke cable, and the choke lever. The manual shows a fuel line or some kind of line. Is it a vent?? The passage leads into the top of the fuel bowl. Thanks for all your help.