Well I did it again, picked up a 80 CX500 cause it was cheap and all there. Got it from the original owner who parked in his garage in 1998 when he was 75 yrs old. All lights work and motor turn over, carbs not frozen and tank was drained when stored, I don't seem to get a spark so I ask where to start to track down this gremlin. Wonder if CDI is bad, since all electrics work or bad pulsers.. I have the infamous water leak, the PO bought the parts just never fixed it. sooo that will be done after I get to run.
Looking forward to advice.
CX500 no spark
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diver
- Cast Iron Member
- Posts: 62
- Joined: Sun Mar 09, 2008 12:03 am
CX500 no spark
Dan
Honest honey, I didn't buy another bike, I'm keeping it for a friend.
86 GL1200 Aspencade- sold
75 GL 1000 Goldwing -sold
77 GL1000 =sold
82 CB 750 Nighthawk, collecting dust
80 CX 500C Sold
2007 Royal Star Tour Deluxe, traded for a GL1800
1983 Goldwing 1100I Sold
1982 Goldwing 1100I Sold
2001 GL1800 one fine ride
Honest honey, I didn't buy another bike, I'm keeping it for a friend.
86 GL1200 Aspencade- sold
75 GL 1000 Goldwing -sold
77 GL1000 =sold
82 CB 750 Nighthawk, collecting dust
80 CX 500C Sold
2007 Royal Star Tour Deluxe, traded for a GL1800
1983 Goldwing 1100I Sold
1982 Goldwing 1100I Sold
2001 GL1800 one fine ride
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Papa Bear
- Platinum Member
- Posts: 1511
- Joined: Sat Mar 22, 2008 3:09 pm
Re: CX500 no spark
Be careful with that tank. Tanks should be stored full. Gas won't cause rust, but a tank full of moist air will. Varnish cleans easier than rust.
Do you know you are getting fuel? Any fuel in bowls? 12 years could cause a lot of rust in a tank and you might not be getting gas. Also, have you looked inside carbs, things could be all gummed up blocking passages even if everything moving. Should be rebuilt regardless.
Really well charged battery? A weak battery can light the bike and crank the motor, but not be enough to fire it. Make sure both cables good and clean at both ends with no corrosion in exposed copper. Also, clean the ground good. Not just the ground cable but ground a frame/case.
Go to plugs next and work back. Pull one, put in boot, ground to case and crank to see if sparks. If no spark and not new, replace them. Might be all you need. If you have new plugs with no spark check connections and condition of plug wires. With wires that old, I'd get a new coil anyhow. I think wires molded to coil. However also, check for power to coil at coil and to ignition. You know you have power at key switch because the lights and such work. It's not at the fuses, and it's not a the starter or solenoid.
You are probably going to want to go through all the wiring and at least clean terminal ends if not replace them. It is after all a 30 year old machine that as been parked for 12 years. Moisture kills wiring even if stored indoors.
Others may have good ideas, but I think you should have a good start.
Do you know you are getting fuel? Any fuel in bowls? 12 years could cause a lot of rust in a tank and you might not be getting gas. Also, have you looked inside carbs, things could be all gummed up blocking passages even if everything moving. Should be rebuilt regardless.
Really well charged battery? A weak battery can light the bike and crank the motor, but not be enough to fire it. Make sure both cables good and clean at both ends with no corrosion in exposed copper. Also, clean the ground good. Not just the ground cable but ground a frame/case.
Go to plugs next and work back. Pull one, put in boot, ground to case and crank to see if sparks. If no spark and not new, replace them. Might be all you need. If you have new plugs with no spark check connections and condition of plug wires. With wires that old, I'd get a new coil anyhow. I think wires molded to coil. However also, check for power to coil at coil and to ignition. You know you have power at key switch because the lights and such work. It's not at the fuses, and it's not a the starter or solenoid.
You are probably going to want to go through all the wiring and at least clean terminal ends if not replace them. It is after all a 30 year old machine that as been parked for 12 years. Moisture kills wiring even if stored indoors.
Others may have good ideas, but I think you should have a good start.
Papa Bear
Keep your head on a swivel and your eyes open!
Current bikes: '78 Wing with '76 false tank, '76 Wing (GLzilla) with 1200 bottom and 1000 top end, '82 GS850 beater bike. '84 1200 project motor.
Previous bikes: '72 Yamaha 250, '76 Kawi KZ400, '62 Triumph 650 Bonnie, '74 Triumph (Chopped), '78 Kawi 750 Twin, and '76 GL.
Keep your head on a swivel and your eyes open!
Current bikes: '78 Wing with '76 false tank, '76 Wing (GLzilla) with 1200 bottom and 1000 top end, '82 GS850 beater bike. '84 1200 project motor.
Previous bikes: '72 Yamaha 250, '76 Kawi KZ400, '62 Triumph 650 Bonnie, '74 Triumph (Chopped), '78 Kawi 750 Twin, and '76 GL.
