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What would cause inconsistent spark?

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Old Jul 31, 2014 | 06:33 PM
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Default What would cause inconsistent spark?

I seem to have an inconsistent spark in the front cylinder.


I checked timing the other night and it was sparking and making the light work fine.


Tonight, it's making the timing light flash intermittently, and the miss I've been fighting goes along with the flash.


I have a new coil, wires, plugs, ignition. What else could it be?
 
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Old Jul 31, 2014 | 07:24 PM
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Too much seafoam?
 
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Old Jul 31, 2014 | 07:34 PM
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Originally Posted by traildog
I seem to have an inconsistent spark in the front cylinder.


I checked timing the other night and it was sparking and making the light work fine.


Tonight, it's making the timing light flash intermittently, and the miss I've been fighting goes along with the flash.


I have a new coil, wires, plugs, ignition. What else could it be?

Question....why are checking the timing every night , does it not run right, is it missing ?


If it runs okay just ride it.....I checked my timing once after the top end rebuild, set it and have been riding since....no problems.


If it is running okay then it could be your timing light that is the problem.
 

Last edited by Kees; Jul 31, 2014 at 07:44 PM.
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Old Jul 31, 2014 | 07:50 PM
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Originally Posted by Kees
Question....why are checking the timing every night , does it not run right, is it missing ?


If it runs okay just ride it.....I checked my timing once after the top end rebuild, set it and have been riding since....no problems.


If it is running okay then it could be your timing light that is the problem.

that's just it. It seems ok on the highway, but at low speeds, it still has this annoying miss. I know its not supposed to be there.
 
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Old Jul 31, 2014 | 07:57 PM
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Originally Posted by texashillcountry
Too much seafoam?

I hate seafoam
 
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Old Jul 31, 2014 | 08:11 PM
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Originally Posted by traildog
I seem to have an inconsistent spark in the front cylinder.


I checked timing the other night and it was sparking and making the light work fine.


Tonight, it's making the timing light flash intermittently, and the miss I've been fighting goes along with the flash.


I have a new coil, wires, plugs, ignition. What else could it be?
just cause parts are new don't make them good , double check all the plugs or hook up , just might be a loose wire , if timing was out it would miss all the time
 
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Old Jul 31, 2014 | 08:25 PM
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I'd also be checking all the grounds. As much as you wash your bike, you probably have corroded them to the point they are not making full contact...
 
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Old Jul 31, 2014 | 08:41 PM
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Originally Posted by cowboy 51
if timing was out it would miss all the time

Exactly what I was thinking.......
 

Last edited by traildog; Jul 31, 2014 at 08:47 PM.
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Old Jul 31, 2014 | 08:43 PM
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Originally Posted by Hackd
I'd also be checking all the grounds. As much as you wash your bike, you probably have corroded them to the point they are not making full contact...


How many are there? She hasn't had a bath in a month.......
 
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Old Jul 31, 2014 | 08:44 PM
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Swap the plug wires and see if it moves. New plugs? Swap the plugs. When the motor is running, grab the front plug wire with your bare hand. Does it throw you across the garage? Same test but with the coil?
 
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