1985 Aspencade shut down

[FlaBoy]

My 85 GL1200 Aspencade has shut down twice and I haven't found the problem. I drive it 1-2 miles, it's shuts off and won't restart. Like it has no gas. It will restart a few hours later though but shut down again. The bike sat three months but I replaced the gas with fresh. My first thought was the fuel filter which I replaced today with a universal OEM filter but shut down again. I'm out of town and have a problem finding a shop & parts to work on it since not named HD and it's age. My only other idea is a clogged gas line. Any other suggestions to look at?

[irishcarbomb]

Try opening the fuel cap, id bet the vent is clogged.

[FlaBoy]

Thanks, I'll try it later. A shop suggested blowing into the tank, lol. No way.

[gltriker]

Is the ignition system completely shutting down? Easy to determine, before getting into fuel delivery issues.

Is there gasoline in all the fuel bowls when it quits running. Open the bowl drain screws.

[robin1731]

That bike has an electric fuel pump too. Could be having issues with it.

[FlaBoy]

Thanks, the ignition is fine but I'll check the carb bowls. Chances of getting a fuel pump slim since the local dealer won't touch the bike. I'll check it too.

[RB]

Try an alternative fuel source..bottle hooked up to the fuel line of the carbs tie it up so it's gravity feed and ride around.....if she runs..tank, pump, lines, or filter issue if not carbs or electrical..heat opening short in coils?? or float in carbs sticking if not EFI bike or slow to react or ???

[rod willis]

this on should have a fuel pump relay that should be under the coils
I have a 86 that was giving me some of the same problems and that
is what it turned out to be
Rod

[FlaBoy]

Thanks for the suggestion, I'll look at it too. I need it to get around.

John

[jdvorchak]

Let's not discount the pulse gens on the front of the engine under the timing belt cover. Running for a while then after a couple of hours restarts? If there was fuel delivery problem I wouldn't expect it to restart without putting some fuel into the carbs. Although shutting down when hot is the usual symptom of the pulse generators failure.

ON the 85 the connector for the pulse gens is a 4 pin connector up under the shelter next to the regulator. Those connectors seem fragile to me and while you have the connector apart to test the pulse gens resistance (330 ohms I think but check that against the manual) be sure and clean the contacts and make sure those connector halves snap together.

[FlaBoy]

Finally solved the problem. It's an ignition coil shutting down. So rb & jdvorchak got it. Many thanks to all who responded.

John