Help please, no spark on my new 71 commando

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I think I've got it. I decided to go ahead & buy a new boyer kit even though most folks agree that the box either works or it doesn't at all. I at least needed to rule it out and figured I'd have a spare unit for the future if it turned out mine was good. I put it on last night & it started first kick (!) and sounded lovely. It was midnight, my garage is out in the alley rather close to the nieghbors and the bike has straight through glasspacks, so I shut it down right away. I'm going to work today but as soon as I get home... :p
 
Hooray! I rode it for about 50 miles today, all seems to be well. :D If that weren't enough it's almost 70 degrees & sunny too. I'm going to Roberto's for fish tacos then maybe I'll give it a good detailing once it's cooled down. Thanks for the help guys!
 
Mr Blisters,
What a pity you didn't try the black box replacement back on the 16th Jan when I first suggested it after your ignition was found to be ok. Usually it is only a matter going through a sequence as I was trying to do for you from past experience. I gave up after the suggestions started going sideways. At least you are back riding it & smiling again :D
 
Timing jumping

Mr Blisters,

A possible cause of the timing jumping from 31 degrees on the rotor mark to 40 odd when you hold the throttle and then slack off - could be due to the rotor body being loose on the rotor centre that fits over the drive end of the crankshaft.

As it slips clockwise and anticlockwise under load, it will give a false indication of the timing mark. These rotors as they get older and more flogged tend to do that . There is a simple fix by using a belville type washer to clamp the centre and the body.

Hope that helps.

Mick L West Australia
 
Mr Blisters
While I agree with most of Nortonfan's/ Ron's input/ comments, i.e. the battery requiring a good head of 'steam', the kill switch issue and the also the coments regarding Boyer wiring, I recently ~ well ~ six months back or so, went thru pergatory with ignition, running and starting problems.

I even went to a local "authourity" on classic bikes and he and his partner scoffed and paid out severely on Boyer and Commandos working in harmony.

They claimed, that I should ditch the Boyer as they just DID NOT work on Commandos and they were aware of a number of "local ' Commando owners that had spent heaps of $$ trying to get smooth running, good performing and starting Commandos with Boyers with little to no success.

To cut along story down, my advise is that one should work through all the above as it were.

Checking those terminal connection, particularly the two stator wires.. solder them ~

But I found through perseverance ~ that once I had soldered those two leads/ terminals, checked my kill switch condition, and (with good advise herein) replaced the carbon plug leads with copper leads.. (mine is a Mk I Boyer ), that my Commando was transformed !!!

Ease of starting, performed well etc.. I was one happy puppy!!!!
 
I had the same problems with my points-equipped bike. Pretty much the same solutions too - new plug leads, fix some bad connections, etc.

Some "authorities" say the points don't work and you can only get easy starting and reliable performance by fitting a Boyer (or Rita, depending on who's talking). Others say exactly the opposite!

I think either will work just fine but the details have to be well sorted.

Debby
 
I think either will work just fine but the details have to be well sorted.
Debby

I reckon you got it all in one there Debby ~

There is finding cure.. and then there is "sorting" ~ ( all and sundry!)

I for one would prefer to work through all aspects and then at the end of the day ~ I know I do not have to spend more time pondering or gazumpping my previous efforts ~ or what I have already covered.. (well in a perfect world eh!?)

I agree also that no matter what degree one researches the problem at hand there will alwasy be someone that 'leans " to the opposite side of the debate.. is'nt that what free 8) flowing 'spirits' are all about!?

(The best free flowing spirit in my house is Jameson Irish!! :D :D 8)
 
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