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Effects of 5 month lay-up

Submitted by george_phillips on Thu, 19/04/2018
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Electrical

Having laid-up my '55 ES2 back in December and rebuilt the gearbox and clutch I know find, having got it all back together, that I have no spark. None from the plug and none from the lead (via the plug connector and a screw).

What sort of defect would occur by leaving the bike in the garage for 5 months?

BTW the battery is out of the machine being charged.

Any help appreciated

George

Submitted by ian_macdougall on Thu, 19/04/2018

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Hi George, assuming you have magneto ignition there is a fairly short list of things for you to check: 1) Change spark plug 2) Change HT lead, make sure it doesn't have a suppressor cap 3) Check visually that the mag points are opening and closing as you turn over the engine 4) Clean the points - maybe light corrosion while laid up? 5) If your mag has an ignition cut-out connected to a brush in the points cover disconnect it.

If there is still no spark after these tests it is probably a fault within the magneto. The only other thing you could check before calling a magneto specialist would be the HT slip-ring and earth brushes. You may have to remove the mag to get at those.

Good luck, Ian McD

Submitted by george_phillips on Thu, 19/04/2018

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Thanks Phil. I did clean the points (well - a quick rub with a mild emery cloth) but didn't reset them as I figured they hadn't changed since December. Another NOC member has recommended that I try a hairdrier on the mag as it might have got damp with the long lay-off. George

Submitted by george_phillips on Fri, 20/04/2018

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Thanks Ian. It can't be anything major as it was fine when I laid it up. I'll try the hot air treatment today then move onto the list.

Very grateful.

George

Submitted by terence_terrell on Fri, 20/04/2018

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Previously George Phillips wrote:

Thanks Ian. It can't be anything major as it was fine when I laid it up. I'll try the hot air treatment today then move onto the list.

Very grateful.

George

I hope you have not entered the mysterious world of Hard and Soft Iron magnetism,which can effect items remaining in one position over long periods

Submitted by george_phillips on Fri, 20/04/2018

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Now you're just trying to frighten me, Terry!

Anyway, all resolved. I checked the plug, the HT lead, the HT pick-up (bit grotty so cleaned it up) and finally hot aired the mag for several minutes. It still wouldn't start. After some time drinking tea, scratching my head and wondering whether I should give up I gave it one more try and and Lo! A spark. back in with the plug and off she went. Pity the gearbox is such a mess - but that's another thread!

I suspect the problem was a combination of damp and petrol soaked HT pick-up (from an earlier fuel flow test).

George

 


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