I just got a 1988 sportster 1200 on a trade and it has no spark. I put a fresh battery on it and it cranks over good but has no spark when i pull a spark plug out and ground it. When I open the points it has a spark but none at the plugs.

 

88's didn't come stock with a points ignition, so if your's does the previous owner put it in.
Where are you getting the spark when you open the points?
Short or broken primary wire connection to the coil?
Bad coil?
Bad plug wires?

 

When i open the points the spark is between the correct contact area. The bike has new plugs and plug wires. I assumed it was a bad coil, but this is my first Harley so i wanted to ask the guys who know before i go replacing things that don't need replacing.

 

Check the coil to make sure it's not the problem. Coil is pretty easy...check for continuity between the terminals, all it is, is just a long spool of wire in there.

If that's good...throw a Dynatek in there and don't worry about it again.