Newbie

SAM33 · Post by **SAM33** » Tue Jun 28, 2016 3:12 pm

Sadly ignorant about points too, but I did put some very fine sandpaper between them just now with the gap open and gently cleaned both surfaces. Really don't think they were fouled.

I don't have gauge, but the gap looks pretty correct from comparing with pictures on line.

Still don't know why it just quit so suddenly after running pretty darn good.

SAM33 · Post by **SAM33** » Tue Jun 28, 2016 3:34 pm

How does one test to see if you have 12v at the points? I gather from reading that that's a place to start?
Do you use a multimeter and if so where would you contact?

EDIT - Nevermind, found it! I do have 11.7 v at the points.

LOUD MOUSE · Post by **LOUD MOUSE** » Tue Jun 28, 2016 3:41 pm

Call me at 830-895-0654 or give me your number. ...............lm

SAM33 wrote:How does one test to see if you have 12v at the points? I gather from reading that that's a place to start?
Do you use a multimeter and if so where would you contact?

SAM33 · Post by **SAM33** » Tue Jun 28, 2016 9:14 pm

Loud Mouse -
BIG THANKS!
When I said I had to go out tonight it was actually to a different Euro Bike rally (rode my Vespa), where I hooked up with a guy who lives nearby to me who's a vintage bike veteran.

Got him to follow me home and two beers later we've traced it to the wire from the condenser to the points - just sketchy, as I suspect most ALL the rest of the damn wires on this bike are. I can get it to fire with a wiggle of that now. So I'll re-solder it and see what crashes next!

You got me real close with your advice, and we finished it off (for now - I know not to get cocky with THIS baby!)

I'll call you again maybe tomorrow night after work to follow up if you like - I so appreciate the time you took with me!

Making me nuts but I gotta admit I'm also kind of having fun (like solving a puzzle), and feel good that I at least am starting to know enough that I was right about it being an electrical problem. The adventure continues...

LOUD MOUSE · Post by **LOUD MOUSE** » Wed Jun 29, 2016 2:06 am

All good to hear.
Call anytime. .....................lm

SAM33 wrote:Loud Mouse -
BIG THANKS!
When I said I had to go out tonight it was actually to a different Euro Bike rally (rode my Vespa), where I hooked up with a guy who lives nearby to me who's a vintage bike veteran.

Got him to follow me home and two beers later we've traced it to the wire from the condenser to the points - just sketchy, as I suspect most ALL the rest of the damn wires on this bike are. I can get it to fire with a wiggle of that now. So I'll re-solder it and see what crashes next!

You got me real close with your advice, and we finished it off (for now - I know not to get cocky with THIS baby!)

I'll call you again maybe tomorrow night after work to follow up if you like - I so appreciate the time you took with me!

Making me nuts but I gotta admit I'm also kind of having fun (like solving a puzzle), and feel good that I at least am starting to know enough that I was right about it being an electrical problem. The adventure continues...

SAM33 · Post by **SAM33** » Thu Jun 30, 2016 10:58 am

So I was told by this neighbor to "re-solder" the wire where it connects to the contact breaker spring, but looking at it closely today in good light it doesn't look to me like it was ever soldered there? Some kind of unusual little connector post or something (it's real small and my old eyes are frankly not that great up close now). And does seem connected actually.

ANYWAY, I also saw that a little plastic (or likely fossilized rubber) shall we call it grommet (don't see the part called out on my parts manual PDF) that goes into the cover had come out of its slot, most likely there to keep what happened from happening (keeping tension off this wire so it doesn't vibrate loose?)

Popped that back in, and put some electrical tape to hold it in place for good measure (for now at least). Not keen on soldering (not the greatest at it frankly) something that wasn't originally done that way. Bad electrical taping may not ultimately prevent shorts, but it won't cause them like bad soldering will in my experience...

And now it runs again (!) for the time being, so obviously the problem is not at the contact point. I realize the wire itself is probably suspect somewhere up the line and may vibrate loose again, but not up for a whole replacement right now. All I currently want for now is for it to go literally about 10 blocks and back tonight, so as to get it to a monthly vintage bike gathering in my neighborhood. There I hope to get more eyes on it all for opinions/advice and some leads on someone who may be able to re-wire the whole bike, I think that's the logical thing to do, and I'm not the guy to do it.

Blinkers aren't original/proper, speedo lights not even there, turns out I DO have high beam, but intermittent so the headlight mod's obviously sketchy, and the high beam indicator red light's always on. Many little issues at least and that nest in the headlight shell makes my head spin...

If this shakes down OK for the next couple of months running-wise and I feel I can maintain that aspect reasonably well, I'll then feel better about starting to do some restoring and putting some money into it.

Thanks again Loud Mouse and all the rest - I'm sure I'll be back whining again soon!
;-P

LOUD MOUSE · Post by **LOUD MOUSE** » Thu Jun 30, 2016 11:45 am

Ya want to carry tools with ya for sure. .......................lm

SAM33 wrote:So I was told by this neighbor to "re-solder" the wire where it connects to the contact breaker spring, but looking at it closely today in good light it doesn't look to me like it was ever soldered there? Some kind of unusual little connector post or something (it's real small and my old eyes are frankly not that great up close now). And does seem connected actually.

ANYWAY, I also saw that a little plastic (or likely fossilized rubber) shall we call it grommet (don't see the part called out on my parts manual PDF) that goes into the cover had come out of its slot, most likely there to keep what happened from happening (keeping tension off this wire so it doesn't vibrate loose?)

Popped that back in, and put some electrical tape to hold it in place for good measure (for now at least). Not keen on soldering (not the greatest at it frankly) something that wasn't originally done that way. Bad electrical taping may not ultimately prevent shorts, but it won't cause them like bad soldering will in my experience...

And now it runs again (!) for the time being, so obviously the problem is not at the contact point. I realize the wire itself is probably suspect somewhere up the line and may vibrate loose again, but not up for a whole replacement right now. All I currently want for now is for it to go literally about 10 blocks and back tonight, so as to get it to a monthly vintage bike gathering in my neighborhood. There I hope to get more eyes on it all for opinions/advice and some leads on someone who may be able to re-wire the whole bike, I think that's the logical thing to do, and I'm not the guy to do it.

Blinkers aren't original/proper, speedo lights not even there, turns out I DO have high beam, but intermittent so the headlight mod's obviously sketchy, and the high beam indicator red light's always on. Many little issues at least and that nest in the headlight shell makes my head spin...

If this shakes down OK for the next couple of months running-wise and I feel I can maintain that aspect reasonably well, I'll then feel better about starting to do some restoring and putting some money into it.

Thanks again Loud Mouse and all the rest - I'm sure I'll be back whining again soon!
;-P