CA78 - Can't get the Old Girl started - Timing Issue?

[quidger]

I acquired a 1968 CA78 that has been dormant for several years. I cleaned up carbs and replaced a few internal parts. Cleaned plugs and points. New YUASA battery.

I set points to .014 and tried to statically time with the alligator clip / light hook up. At first the light would stay on constantly for the full rotation of the stator. I messed with it for awhile and finally after turning over the motor a few times, hooking and unhooking the clips and turning ignition switch on & off a few times, I finally got to the point where the light would come on at or near the "F" mark.
I turned off the switch to re-adjust the points a bit. When I turned the switch back, same problem - the light would stay on during the entire rotation of the stator. So I decided to check the voltage when the points were open and closed to see if there was a difference in the voltage. It measured approximately 14.5V whether the points were open or closed. So I turned the motor over a few times and the timing light started working properly again, where the light would only come on at the "F" mark. So I checked the voltage and it registered 12.6V with points open and 0V with points closed.

I checked both plugs and they are getting decent spark. Also there is spark between the points when the motor is turning over. But the motor is not even close to firing up.

The points are installed properly with insulators on each side of the lug.

This problem has to be directly linked to the timing light staying constantly lit when trying to set the timing. Problem is that I'm not sure where to look now. My main train of thought is to replace both the condenser and the points. Although, in my experience the condensers are the last thing to wear out.

I would appreciate any suggestions from anyone on the Forum who may have experience with a similar problem.

Thanks.

[LOUD MOUSE]

I'd say they are dirty.
Fold a 1 inch piece of 320 sand paper or finer and with the points closed pull the paper through both sets.
Spray with cleaner than when closed draw a business card through them. ................lm

I acquired a 1968 CA78 that has been dormant for several years. I cleaned up carbs and replaced a few internal parts. Cleaned plugs and points. New YUASA battery.

I set points to .014 and tried to statically time with the alligator clip / light hook up. At first the light would stay on constantly for the full rotation of the stator. I messed with it for awhile and finally after turning over the motor a few times, hooking and unhooking the clips and turning ignition switch on & off a few times, I finally got to the point where the light would come on at or near the "F" mark.
I turned off the switch to re-adjust the points a bit. When I turned the switch back, same problem - the light would stay on during the entire rotation of the stator. So I decided to check the voltage when the points were open and closed to see if there was a difference in the voltage. It measured approximately 14.5V whether the points were open or closed. So I turned the motor over a few times and the timing light started working properly again, where the light would only come on at the "F" mark. So I checked the voltage and it registered 12.6V with points open and 0V with points closed.

I checked both plugs and they are getting decent spark. Also there is spark between the points when the motor is turning over. But the motor is not even close to firing up.

The points are installed properly with insulators on each side of the lug.

This problem has to be directly linked to the timing light staying constantly lit when trying to set the timing. Problem is that I'm not sure where to look now. My main train of thought is to replace both the condenser and the points. Although, in my experience the condensers are the last thing to wear out.

I would appreciate any suggestions from anyone on the Forum who may have experience with a similar problem.

Thanks.

[quidger]

LM, I'll give it a shot.

[quidger]

LM, I'll give it a shot.

No cigar. Think I'll order new points and give that a try. At least the static timing light is not staying on continuously and I'm able to statically time the bike. It just will not start.

I thought I had hit upon something when I discovered that one of the spark plugs had a huge crack in it. I replaced it and, same results.....spark but it won't fire.

Any other suggestions are welcome.

Thanks.

[raindriver]

Elsewhere on this fine website, I've heard people suggest that if you see spark at the points, your condenser is bad.

That seemed to hold true for me, when I tried a new condenser to go with my new points. Spark at points. Replaced the old condenser, and she works fine.

[LOUD MOUSE]

As I was taught and use today.
If I see flash at the points when the engine is running "that set is dirty" and needs to be cleaned.
I'd say that perfectly good condensers are replaced because "they always are the spark problem".
A waste of $$$ to me. ....................lm

Elsewhere on this fine website, I've heard people suggest that if you see spark at the points, your condenser is bad.

That seemed to hold true for me, when I tried a new condenser to go with my new points. Spark at points. Replaced the old condenser, and she works fine.

[brewsky]

I had to limp 30 miles home on 2 out of 4 cylinders on my 750 because of a bad condenser.

If cleaning the points doesn't help, replacing the condenser probably will.