Working on a '96 883. Bike started missing intermittently, now will NOT fire when turning over. It does however, fire as soon as you let off the starter button. The spark also looks very weak when it does fire. Of course this causes a huge backfire every time. I did have the coil tested and it is fine. Any ideas on what could cause it to not fire when turning over?

Have you checked the bank sensor? It should be located under the seat. Many others have reported that a faulty bank sensor can cause all sorts of eratic running of a Sporty.

Where and what exactly is the bank sensor? Can you tell me what it looks like. I have a factory manual, but I might as well have a Disney coloring book!

It should be under the seat closest to the gas tank sitting in an upright position, it looks like any other flat 4 pin plug but should have two bolts going through it holding it to the frame or back of the oil tank. At least that is what my shop manual shows in the picture.

Is there a way to test it? Or do you just replace it?

Whats the battery voltage? You need at least 9 volts to fire the ignition...if the voltage is down and the starter is robbing all the power the ign. will not fire until you let off the starter.
Bank angle sensor is a good place to look also.

You may be able to bypass it with a jumper wire or two.BTW, my bike had a simmilar issue, it turned out to be a broken wire to the kill switch inside the headlight that was arcing, I have heard that broken wires in the headlightare also fairly common.

A little update. I did have it running for a minute. When I revved it up, it still missed and sputtered. Of course it died on me when I walked away from it and wouldn't start again. I've noticed that the spark is very inconsistent. One time I turn it over it has very bright blue spark, the next it has no spark, then weak spark, then it wil fire the front plug but not the rear. This thing has me stumped. I will check those headlight wires though. [:@]

Have you tested the coil?

Yes, the coil tested good. Did notice a little white smoke puffing out of the exhaust as it was turning over. Seems like the timing may be off. Is it possible that the igniton module or the cam timing modulecould bebad, throwing off the timing and the spark? I checked to make sure the backing plate was tight and even checked the hub on the end of the camshaft to make sure it was tight.