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Shovelhead points issue

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Old Mar 2, 2019 | 09:00 AM
  #1  
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Default Shovelhead points issue

Hoping someone can help here
1977, 74 shovel
The bike was running yesterday for the first time in a few years..(I've set the timing on it numerous times before with no issue) but was a bit flat so o thought I'd re do the timing.
Went through setting the gap, front cylinder on the compression stroke and getting the adv timing mark in the window.
I have a test light on the points so I can see as they open the light goes off.....well points open or closed the light stays on now?
Tried another set of points and condenser and the same problem?
wire from coil to points seems to be going to ground?
With ignition on the points do break the circuit
But turn ignition off and same issue.
Is my coil bad?
Thanks in advance
 
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Old Mar 2, 2019 | 01:29 PM
  #2  
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Is the points wire insulation damaged where it leaves the nose cone? I've had that happen to me before.
 
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Old Mar 2, 2019 | 02:27 PM
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not really following your explanation.
disconnect point to coil wire and slide a piece of cardboard between the contacts. use a vom or test light and see if the points are shorted, pull out the cardboard and see if there is good continuity. if i remember correctly, the ign power comes from the main breaker to ign sw to ign breaker to bar kill to coil to points. lift wire off ign breaker and test to ground with points disconnected. wire should show no path to ground.
are you using correct contact points with your tester?
 

Last edited by bustert; Mar 2, 2019 at 02:29 PM.
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