Before I waste a Sunday

Well, the Spydy won't start. Specifically, it turns over fine, but no ignition of gasoline.

To be even more specific, I started her, she got going, then I got out to let her warm up and she stopped --- nothing unusual, but she didn't start again.

I checked the obvious -- got plenty of gas.

I checked the battery. Heck, I took the battery out, put it on the charger for a morning, and cleaned all the connections.

The throttle cable is fine, and I see the hex bar moving. Even pushed it down a few times with my hand. I could smell gasoline after a while, so I am presuming it's getting gas. Thought maybe it was flooded so I tried again several hours later, no luck. Next morning, no luck.

The engine turns physicaly with the starter. Not slow or seized or the like --- plenty of oil, etc.

This is a 2100 CB Performance, dual webers, Malloroy ignition.
Before I start pulling plug wire and getting out the volt meter, I'm looking for ideas.

David -- go ahead a pull a plug wire, now is the time. See if it will throw a spark to ground. If you are sure you have fuel and you know your battery is ok (if the starter motor is turning you have a good battery), then the only thing left is ignition (spark).

I stick a phillips screwdriver into a spark plug wire that has been pulled off a plug. With the screwdriver pushed into the spark plug boot, put the metal shaft of the screwdriver a spark plug's gap away from something ground -- like the chassis frame (not close to anything gasoline). Turn on the ignition and roll the engine over a few revolutions on the starter motor. If there is spark, your problem is likely not ignition. If you get the $hit shocked out of you, your problem is you're as dumb as I am, but you will still know it is likely not ignition. (Clue: hold the rubber boot in one hand and the plastic handle of the screwdriver in the other hand. No hands on metal.)

After you have determined if you do or don't have spark, report back.

Mark

It could be as simple as one of the small wires to your coil being broken, or your main coil wire having separated inside a connector.

Thanks guys. I will probably use the trusty light bulb on wire and aligator clip method to check for spark, as I generally have many young girl "helpers" surrounding me and hoping to expand their vocabulary.

If your ignition is throwing sparks, pull an air cleaner and see if the accelerator pumps are squirting gas when the throttle is depressed........If they don't, check fuel delivery from the pump to the carbs......Just a thought....

It was the coil. Runs wonderful.

While I was at it, I started debating whether to install an remote oil cooler up front with a fan. (Be a lot easier to do it where the spare is, but that's just not as cool.)

I'll probably buy the parts and then think about doing it for a year.

Good news that you're back on the road. I enjoyed your comment about buying parts and then never getting around to installing them. I know how that goes.

Mark

oops, double post.