650SS woes

Previously anthony_bolton wrote:

Dear Members,

I'm looking for a bit of direction because of some recent woes with my 1965 650SS. Essentially it starts as normal but after about 8-9 miles it sputters a bit so I then turn for home and it has got me there three times now but my faith in its so far unremitting reliability is beginning to wane somewhat.

I believe it to be ignition related, either plugs or magneto with the latter gaining credence. I've had the bike since 1975 when I fully restored it and the timing cover has not been off since. I know about shellac windings deteriorating leading to an inability to hot start having experienced that on my '53 Inter but that became a complete breakdown so I'm a bit inclined to think it's the condenser in the K2F mag or perhaps the precursor to a windings failure.

Has any other member experienced these sort of symptoms and do you think I am on the right track? Is it easy to replace the condenser and where should I source one? I ask that question not naively because I have heard of brand new condensers being available on e-bay but simply not functioning because they've laid on a shelf for 40 years.

I would value your collective opinions before embarking on a stripdown.

Peter Bolton

Hello - before condeming the mag, just make sure that the breather hole in the petrol tank cap is not blockd, and that petrol is gettig through ok.

Terry Odlin

Previously terry_odlin wrote:

Previously anthony_bolton wrote:

Dear Members,

I'm looking for a bit of direction because of some recent woes with my 1965 650SS. Essentially it starts as normal but after about 8-9 miles it sputters a bit so I then turn for home and it has got me there three times now but my faith in its so far unremitting reliability is beginning to wane somewhat.

I believe it to be ignition related, either plugs or magneto with the latter gaining credence. I've had the bike since 1975 when I fully restored it and the timing cover has not been off since. I know about shellac windings deteriorating leading to an inability to hot start having experienced that on my '53 Inter but that became a complete breakdown so I'm a bit inclined to think it's the condenser in the K2F mag or perhaps the precursor to a windings failure.

Has any other member experienced these sort of symptoms and do you think I am on the right track? Is it easy to replace the condenser and where should I source one? I ask that question not naively because I have heard of brand new condensers being available on e-bay but simply not functioning because they've laid on a shelf for 40 years.

I would value your collective opinions before embarking on a stripdown.

Peter Bolton

Hello - before condeming the mag, just make sure that the breather hole in the petrol tank cap is not blockd, and that petrol is gettig through ok.

Terry Odlin

Hello yes well said it sound like fuel starvation to me as the tank been cleaned out at all as this new petrol can get water in it and this ends up in the carburettor and bloc's it up, then as you leave it with a hot engine it drys out making you think it something else so it a question of elimination and I would start with the tank and work down from there . so its good hunting from me Ps have you tried out BOSCH W7DTC from green spark plug .co there just like the KLG FE100 plugs that was recommended for the 650ss

Previously anna_jeannette_dixon wrote:

Previously terry_odlin wrote:

Previously anthony_bolton wrote:

Dear Members,

I'm looking for a bit of direction because of some recent woes with my 1965 650SS. Essentially it starts as normal but after about 8-9 miles it sputters a bit so I then turn for home and it has got me there three times now but my faith in its so far unremitting reliability is beginning to wane somewhat.

I believe it to be ignition related, either plugs or magneto with the latter gaining credence. I've had the bike since 1975 when I fully restored it and the timing cover has not been off since. I know about shellac windings deteriorating leading to an inability to hot start having experienced that on my '53 Inter but that became a complete breakdown so I'm a bit inclined to think it's the condenser in the K2F mag or perhaps the precursor to a windings failure.

Has any other member experienced these sort of symptoms and do you think I am on the right track? Is it easy to replace the condenser and where should I source one? I ask that question not naively because I have heard of brand new condensers being available on e-bay but simply not functioning because they've laid on a shelf for 40 years.

I would value your collective opinions before embarking on a stripdown.

Peter Bolton

Hello - before condeming the mag, just make sure that the breather hole in the petrol tank cap is not blockd, and that petrol is gettig through ok.

Terry Odlin

Hello yes well said it sound like fuel starvation to me as the tank been cleaned out at all as this new petrol can get water in it and this ends up in the carburettor and bloc's it up, then as you leave it with a hot engine it drys out making you think it something else so it a question of elimination and I would start with the tank and work down from there . so its good hunting from me Ps have you tried out BOSCH W7DTC from green spark plug .co there just like the KLG FE100 plugs that was recommended for the 650ss

Hello again to Check you spark plugs against the side of the alloy casing you should have a big fat blue spark if its yellow or white that the condenser it at fault and also check if its bean timed right the left hand lead should nearest the battery box with the point facing up on the bottom cam the right hand side fires off the top cam points facing down .if you have to strip the mag the condenser is behided the slip ring in the winding you have to de-soilder it and carefully pull it off that the slip ring thats then you will see tucked just at the back in is grove, there some two thin wires to de-soilder then you can get out the condenser , that this stage you could fit a new one or solider every thing back up with out the condenser and fit a easy end cap, a electronic condenser , yours Anna J