| Author | Message | ||
     Canyon_biker |
Hi All, I have an issue with my '97 S1. There is no spark to the rear cylinder. I am the 3rd owner of this bike and am not sure what has been done to it. It does have a Crane FireBall H4-IE ignition, set to single fire, single fire coil, and a New Volt ignition amplifier. I pulled the plug and checked the spark. None. I checked the plug wires, coil, (which I replaced but may not have needed to), and everything seems fine. The ground to the voltage amplifier was broken so I fixed that. I tested the wire from the Crane ignition module to the coil and that tested fine for continuity but no spark from the module. I took module off the bike to see if I could get inside it. No luck so I put it back on the bike, hooked everything back up and tried to fire it (who knows... might work). It gave a faint spark but nothing like the big robust spark at the front cylinder. I am at a loss as what to do next. Crane no longer makes Ignition modules and a replacement costs a few bucks. I am not a very good mechanic but am learning. When it comes to ignitions systems I am at a loss. Any suggestions as to what to do next? I really don't want to take it to a mechanic if I can help it. | ||
| Ralph |
First I'd switch it over to double fire. At least for while you're trying to find the problem. You can switch it back later if you want. There's arguably nothing to be gained with single fire. Then, is the spark still weak? If so, it could be a bad connection in the coil or a bad wire. Swapping a known good wire on to the rear will let you know if the coil is the culprit. If it's still weak, throw a different coil at it. Just spit balling. Lots more possibilities, but those are the most likely. | ||
| Reepicheep |
You sound like a good mechanic to me. Your process has been very methodical and well thought out. It sounds like the Crane module is bad. The stock setup works fine for a stock S1, do you know if any other head work has been done? If it were me, I'd probably spend some time finding the stock Harley part numbers for your bike, and scare up some used parts on ebay, which may be bad but will likely be very cheap, or just buy new stock parts and be done with it. The Harley coils and ignition systems are generally good quality. | ||
| Dannybuell |
My crane went out a few years back they sent me a new one. the new one's plate at to be narrowed to go all the way in... I am under the impression that the nose cone setups run a bit too hot. My dynotuned 96 S1 also has a D&D, and Mikuni. To keep all of that in control a tuned gpsuspension and a Penske shock. Winter IS Here, If The bike IS A Keeper, don't cheap out. I had the rear shock rebuilt several times. I could have bought the Penske And Saved $ In the Long Run! | ||
| Ralph |
Like Reep said, the stock system is a solid set up. I like my Crane simply because I could copy the factory race modules curve and rev limit. One more. Try swapping the spark plugs, you could have a break in the core. By the way, I'd ditch the ignition amplifier. It's just one more thing to go wrong. I believe in KISS. | ||
| Akbuell |
Since you are kind of in a holding pattern, might do to give Crane a call. They could give troubleshooting tips, offer to inspect, maybe repair or replace. Who knows if you don't call. Hope this helps, Dave | ||
| Canyon_biker |
Thanks so much for all the great suggestions. The coil is a new single fire coil from Dynatek and the plugs are new. I don't know about what has been done to the bike. I am the third owner. The person I bought the bike from told me it was modified but didn't know what specifically. From what I can see it has a Mikuni carb, a Metmachex swingarm, Lindermann Engineering fork "stuff", and a carbon fiber exhaust. I don't know about the motor. I do know that it's really fast which is the reason the last owner sold it to me. I imagine at least some head work and a cam. I'll do as Akbuell and Ralph suggests: call Crane and see about ditching the spark amplifier. I think KISS is a good idea too. It's fast but handles like a tank. Suspension and brakes next. Thanks again. | ||
| Hootowl |
"a Metmachex swingarm" Nice. I know the plugs are new, but did you try swapping them front to back? I've been bit by a bad plug before. It was brand new too. | ||
| Canyon_biker |
Thanks Hootowl, I'll check the plug again when I get home. I did use an in-line spark plug tester and there was a very faint spark to the rear cylinder and a huge bright spark to the front. I am not sure what that means. I'll make sure that is reproducible first. Someone also suggested to make sure my battery is strong and fully charged. I don't think it's very strong. It will take a charge but I'm not sure about the integrity of it. One more thing, Ralph suggested I switch the Crane ignition to dual fire. I wonder if I have to set up the ignition differently and do I have to buy a dual fire coil. It would seem so; I think the single fire coil is actually two coils in one. Any clarification here would helpful also.  | ||
| Ralph |
You know, I was thinking the same thing this morning when I was riding to work. It's been awhile since I messed with single fire and I can't remember for the life of me if the coil is going to be a problem. I'm going to back off suggesting going to dual fire. Just keep it in single fire to be safe. My interest in dual fire in this case is simply that since it hits both plugs at the same time it makes it that much simpler to find the problem. From everything I've seen, one is the same as the other as far as performance is concerned. Back to the task at hand. What it really comes down to is testing everything in series, one step after the other. Don't take any part being good for granted until you proven it. You're in a good place, you've got some spark |
