1972 Interstate (ex Interpol). Starts and ticks over very nicely. Last year developed a fault as described (backfiring, cutting out completely). Traced to what I thought was a bad connection on the electronic ignition, under the inspection cover. Replaced both connectors after one came away in my hand. All good until last night when it started doing it again. After a few miles, big bang, cut out. Stop, re-tickle carbs, starts fine. Ride and before long (1/2 mile to 2 miles, varies) same again. Stopped 5 times on way back over 6 miles!
Ig nition switch seems ok. Electronic ignition connections seem sound. What do I check next? All connections in ignition circuit... then what? Whits end!
Andy
The early Electronic Ignit…
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I had identical symptoms a…
I had identical symptoms at the International Rally in Vezio, 1999. After a lot of investigation it turned out to be a fracture in the electronic ignition pickup coil. When cold, the broken ends made contact and the bike ran. When hot, things expanded and the coil went open circuit. With just a short period of cooling it made contact again, the bike would start and then the cycle would repeat.
Try replacing the stator half of the electronic ignition.
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AlsoI've had one of thetw…
AlsoI've had one of thetwo wires fracture where they leave the stator plate and pass through the enginecaseing and run up the front frame tube. Best to replace the wires with new ones to be sure.Backfireing leading to engine cutting out completely are typical symtems of this problem with electronic ignition systems.
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Previously Alan Throssell…
Previously Alan Throssell wrote:
AlsoI've had one of thetwo wires fracture where they leave the stator plate and pass through the enginecaseing and run up the front frame tube. Best to replace the wires with new ones to be sure.Backfireing leading to engine cutting out completely are typical symtems of this problem with electronic ignition systems.
Big thanks Alan. Likewise Chris and Phil. Will investigate all suggestions.
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Also the wires have a habb…
Also the wires have a habbit of fracturing inside the insulation where they pass through the stator plate & are araldited & cable tied. I've had this one happen more that once. With the engine runnig, wiggle the wires about, if there's a problem, the engine will missfire or stop altogether. I now carry a spare stator plate to change on the roadside, then, at home, replace both wires with slightly upgaded spec.
Regards, Tim
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The early Electronic Ignition Systems display these kind of symptons when less than 12 volts are available to power the sparky chunks.
Common causes are....a battery that has lost a cell or an alternator that has lost a wire or coil and is not providing enough charge.
Generally a big clue to the above are the indicators (if fitted) going into slow flash or no flash mode. A very dim headlight can be another clue.
I would be checking the battery condition first, then the alternator leads followed by the state of the connectors charging the battery and feeding the Electronic Ignition.
Another bit possibly worth checking is the Rectifier.