Hi peoples. I'm having a problem. I have a '77 Shovel with the 1200 in it. It's had a buttload of work done. The guy I bought it off spent 40+ on it.

It's not firing the rear though. I was feeling the exhaust today and noticed one pipe wasn't heating up. I checked the leads and everything was connected. I removed the rear lead and nothing happened, then put that back and removed the front lead and the bike stalled. Then removed the plugs, the front one came out rich black.The rear plug is dry black. Held the rear plug (with lead on) near the frame and hit the start button, but no spark. I then swapped the plugs front to rear and tried that, but got the same result. Front working fine but rear isn't firing.

So I took a look at the ignition. It's got a Crane Cams Hi-4N in it. Set up as single fire. All settings were fine. The coil is similar to a CC 8-3005 but has no branding on it that I can see (pics below).

As far as I can tell the wiring is all fine. I checked it against the Hi-4N installation manual. So my next idea is to put a different coil on and see if that works. If not, I have heard of something called a 'dead valve'? Something not letting fuel into the rear?

Anyone have any suggestions or things to check maybe? Any help would be highly appreciated.

That's my thoughts exactly. Gonna check the coil off the wideglide and see if I can test that. If it works I'll have to get a decent coil. Thanks for the reply Bob
 

Has your coil got 3 terminals or 2?

3 is the correct one

Wow thanks for that KiwiDave. Best reply to any online ask I've ever had.

I did swap the plugs over front to back and the same thing happened. So the plugs are fine. I also used the leads from my WideGlide and that didn't fix it either.

I don't have access to a test light or multi, so I called up and ordered a new single fire coil. Figured it was easier that way. When it shows up I will swap it out and see if that fixes things.

If not, I'll be asking more questions! Thanks again for the reply.

Ummm...If your running steel braided plug wires; at least one end needs to be earthed. I have a set of new Nology wires @ home for the FXR and the instructions has a LOT of points about connecting the shield to earth.

I have had modules (not that particular model though) go where they dropped the rear jug only. Best bet is to replace the module. If your in mel I have an Ultima that you could try out.

Thanks tussuck. i tried another set of leads but that didn't help. and cheers for the offer but i'm up sydney west.

i got a new coil. A TwinTech item and that fixed the issue. She sounds beautiful again!

Here is the part where you can all laugh at me though... On the final check and tighten i slipped doing the bottom terminal and snapped the bastard off. Guess i'll have to take it off and see if an electrician can replace the terminal... or is that impossible?

have a pic of my stupidity...

 

Bad luck there you might be able to drill a hole in the center and put screw in it with locatite
As a temp fix but other wise up for a another one

Maybe put some solder on it

They are indeed brass terminals and old mate has to buy a new coil.

Yeah, no use stuffing around.
BTW, great info on that Dave. A lot of help right there.

Thanks for the replies all.

I spoke to an auto elec about trying to solder/weld etc and it isn't really recommended. Same with tapping and drilling. Being a Shovel there is a lot of vibration yeah lol.

So I've ordered another coil and it'll be here mid next week. This time I'll be bloody well gentle!

I hope you gave yourself a good slap around the head and shoulders for that one Stray. Personally speaking I would fuck around and try to fix the terminal myself but I am as tight as a ducks arse.
Its hard to tell from the photo how much brass is sticking above the wire but you might be able to peen it ( mushroom it for the uneducated) and a LITTLE bit of soft solder .
Or what Wimbo reckons might be the go

replace the coil , may be able to solder as a temporay fix but not worth the bullshit if it falls off miles from home