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If your ignition isn't oozing I would check your dash mounted ignition switch. They can get corroded or get loose contacts and will cause the bike to stall and not restart until the are cycled back off and on.
With the age of the bike those would be my first two checks
Actually grbrown I have ridden Harleys with points quite a bit, starting with a 57 Panhead hardtail a little over 40 years ago. As I said, Ive never been left by the side of the road by them. Over the years I havent had much luck with the if it looks good it is good form of troubleshooting on intermittant electrical problems. Your reply didnt add anything to the conversation and seems a bit condescending.
Recommend the Dyna 'S' ignition. Just like points without any contact / wear. Affordable and easily static timed in your driveway. Super reliable. Either way, get the best advance unit you can find for it. Good ones are rare anymore.
If it is the cam position sensor. These work very well and are a hell of a lot cheaper. Not sure of your exact pin connectors but Standard Motor Products make 3 different ones depending on the pin configuration I don't believe you have Duetch connectors so it's going to be either the MC-SPA1 or the MC-SPA2. They say that they are made for Sporsters but the work perfectly in all the other Harley models. I converted my 77 Shovel ignition setup with a SE ignition module And the MC-SPA3 (Duetch connectors) and am also using one in my 98 Fatboy... No issues... $41.00 delivered...
I believe there is a section in the FSM describing the diagnostic procedure for the CPS..
did all power go out? like the headlight and all other electric? if it did it could be something as simple as the 30 amp main circuit breaker. it could also be the 15 amp ignition circuit breaker.
Actually grbrown I have ridden Harleys with points quite a bit, starting with a 57 Panhead hardtail a little over 40 years ago. As I said, Ive never been left by the side of the road by them. Flew a 56 Cessna 172 around the US, over 6,500 miles and over 90 hours, it has points as do nearly all certified GA aircraft. Over the years I havent had much luck with the if it looks good it is good form of troubleshooting on intermittant electrical problems. Your reply didnt add anything to the conversation and seems a bit condescending.
What I pointed out is that if your ignition pickup is the cause of your current problems, the likelyhood is that it will be obvious from its appearance. I'm not the first to point that out. As they fail they change shape and colour. It takes very little time to check. If yours looks fine, then the second course of action is to test it, as per the FSM. Simples.
As for riding experience I have over 50 years and have ridden with magnetos, points, electronic ignition and EFI. That is also the order of their reliability and performance.
What I pointed out is that if your ignition pickup is the cause of your current problems, the likelyhood is that it will be obvious from its appearance. I'm not the first to point that out. As they fail they change shape and colour. It takes very little time to check. If yours looks fine, then the second course of action is to test it, as per the FSM. Simples.
As for riding experience I have over 50 years and have ridden with magnetos, points, electronic ignition and EFI. That is also the order of their reliability and performance.
Shortly after I got it a couple of years ago my 93 started running rough and skipping a bit but didn't quit all together. I opened the timing cover and found this.
I replaced it with an after market sensor and have lived happily ever after.
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