69XLCH Problems
Novice
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Iowa
Find a big hill or some friends and push start it. If it starts, your problem is likely in the starter system. If not, or no hint at starting to fire, look in other systems. Is there a kill swich you possibly forgot about after being shown it only once?
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6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Tampa
I am wondering if the battery is run down, perhaps not being charged during the ride, having enough juice to run the engine, and enough to turn over the engine but not enough to produce spark while cranking. Possibly a problem with the generator or regulator.
Put a voltmeter across the battery terminals, and take a reading while cranking. I am curious if the reading will be below whatever limit the magneto system needs. With electronic ignition if it goes below 10 or so volts it will not start. I believe mag can start on less than 10 but i do not know what is the lower limit.
Put a voltmeter across the battery terminals, and take a reading while cranking. I am curious if the reading will be below whatever limit the magneto system needs. With electronic ignition if it goes below 10 or so volts it will not start. I believe mag can start on less than 10 but i do not know what is the lower limit.
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6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Tampa
But yes, it will push start. There is a kill switch, it's been on run, but I removed it to make sure it wasn't grounding out the system somewhere.
Road Captain
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 566
Likes: 3
From: rural ontario
No bat needed for a Maggy ignit....but the bat needs enough amps to spin the starter to crank the motor enough for the Maggy to generate spark. If the battery is weak and the starter is slow over the compression hump the Maggy won't produce enough spark to jump the gap.
the electic leg needs to have at least as much kick as a man kicking the kicker to start the motor. The power produced by the Maggy is not constant voltage it varies with engine speed.
understand?
Do you still have the kicker on it?
s
the electic leg needs to have at least as much kick as a man kicking the kicker to start the motor. The power produced by the Maggy is not constant voltage it varies with engine speed.
understand?
Do you still have the kicker on it?
s
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 10,135
Likes: 4,774
From: Sandpoint, Idaho
The battery has nothing to do with the ignition system but.........................post 16 has an excellent point.
The following is not written for mag bikes but most of it will apply. Work thru this procedure not leaving out any steps ...
Ironhead Charging System Checkout
http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/s...ad.php?t=39146
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6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Tampa
I would say that that confirms my suspicion. It is not starting because the battery is not charged enough, because it was not being charged while you were riding; it was more likely discharging while you were riding.
The following is not written for mag bikes but most of it will apply. Work thru this procedure not leaving out any steps ...
Ironhead Charging System Checkout
http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/s...ad.php?t=39146
The following is not written for mag bikes but most of it will apply. Work thru this procedure not leaving out any steps ...
Ironhead Charging System Checkout
http://xlforum.net/vbportal/forums/s...ad.php?t=39146
Thank you guys for all the advice! Will update tomorrow night
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6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: Tampa
Okay so I went through the genny and it looks all good inside, wasn't able to take photos because my phone is still broken. Lightly sanded down the armature when the brushes connect, brushes look at good and are making contact. Get everything buttoned up and back on the bike and now I'm getting no spark at all. I pulled out the magneto and I'm going to send it to a local guru on mags to have him take a look and test everything. Hopefully my problems lies in the mag otherwise I'm contemplating just pulling the whole damned engine and rebuilding it from the bottom end up to make sure everything has been done correctly.