OK I have a 1984 Shovelhead FXEF that was originally electronic ignition that went south many years ago. I have points in it now. It has an Andrews made in USA Coil, and Blue Streak Ignition products Points and Condenser.

Now this has happened to me twice. After about a 20 mile ride I stopped for gas and the bike wouldn't refire. It cranked over plenty fast but no fire. I would push it away from the pump, dig the tools out, pull the point cover to look for spark. Hard to see it spark at the points, but definitely had power to he points - the arm would arc.

The one time I checked and a plug wire was off. It was cold and I had heavy gloves and probably knocked it off shutting off or turning on the petcock. I put the plug wire on and vroom started right up.

The other day I made the same 20 mile ride and as I was coasting to the pump the bike quit. I thought maybe I pushed it right to the Reserve. Not the case, it only took about 2 gallons to fill it. Tried to restart and no fire. Again plenty of spin. I again pushed to the side, dug the tools out, opened the point cover up to check for spark. Again hard to see spark at the points but arced the point arm. I hit the start button to spin the motor to look for spark and she fired right up.

Both times the bike was running great, no spitting or sputter just quit, both stops might have been 10 minutes or less between the stop and the successful refire.

I have shimmed the point cover out as the gasket was rubbing on the center bolt, I rewired the coil with a new wire from the hot side of the ignition breaker straight to the coil - bypassing the kill switch, etc. eleiminating that circuit. It is too cold for my candy *** for a few days but wonder what a going bad coil or condenser acts like in case it does it again. I always have fresh points, plugs, and condenser in my tool kit and have a spare coil to go along as well. Bike starts and runs smooth - no misses at all, no coughs, no nothing.

ETA: I also wonder if it is possible the Advance weights might be sticking open due the rub of the center bolt and that they spring back when I take the tension off of the point arm?

 

I would replace the condenser becauses it`s easy and cheap

 

I would sure confirm the timing and investigate your theory of the points cam remaining in the advanced state. i usually find that condition when I slow to a stop and the idle is high.

 

I’m certainly no expert but in my experience, coils can fail when they get hot. Let it cool down for a few minutes and it’ll Fire again. Used to happen to a buddy’s ‘66 until I convinced him to take the coil off. Big crack down the back that couldn’t be seen without removing.

 

Another vote for condenser or coil.

Todays condensers are total junk. I went to electronic on every old thing I own because of that.

If you want to narrow it down without throwing a coil at it, buy a condenser (from any parts store, doesn't matter about the application) and mount it to ground near the coil. Carry a jumper wire with alligator clips. When it dies out, jump from the wire on the condenser to the point side of the coil. See if it starts. Yes, bad condenser. No, bad coil.

The condenser does not have to be "at" the points. It can be in the circuit anywhere from the points to the coil and it will do it's job assuming it's not a bad one...