one side not firing

[pallmall]

i have tried to get the left side firing but nothing i do seems to help. i have even switched the white and black wires and still the left side isn't firing. when i switched them it would start at all.  it will start and run on the one cylinder as long as i hold the throttle open a little. starts on the first crank most of the time.  thanks for any help it will be appreciated.

[BSOrion]

I'm not familiar with where you are at in your trouble-shooting.  Has the problem just started or are you in the early stages of a restoration?  Have you tried switching coils and/or checking the points.  I'm no pro like some of these other guys but that's where I would start.

Orion

[pallmall]

in the early part of restoration. i have new points and condensor on it. but not getting fire.

[BSOrion]

I'd pull the tank and try swapping the coils... that could help eliminate that and most things down the line (wire, plug, carb, etc.)  My mechanical kung fu is not so good so I have to use process of elimination.  Just my take.

Orion

[pallmall]

i have tested coils and one side tested bad  going to replacing coils today   thank you i let you do

[BSOrion]

That's great to hear!  Have a great restoration.

Orion

[pallmall]

we have changed the coils  it is fires when it is wide open

[BSOrion]

Might be that carb's float is not functioning properly.  I would check to make sure the float is not either set properly or possibly has a leak, which would allow fuel to continuously poor into the chamber.  When you pull the float bowl off and remove the float, shake it to see if there is fuel in one of the two floats.  They can develope a pin-hole.  One more thing to check is the throttle cable to ensure it is synced with the other.  If not, I'm at a loss and one of these really smart dudes are going to have to chime-in.

Hopefully it's one of the easy fixes I mentioned.  Best of luck.

Orion

[bridgestonesforever]

Paul

what do you mean by " it is fires when it is wide open "? Luke

[rwgibbon]

Have you tested your plugs?

If you haven't already done this;

take the spark plugs out of the cylinders. Leave them attached to the spark plug leads.
Lay them on the heads of the motorcycle. Kick the motor over using the kick starter and check to see if you have spark at the spark plug. (You may want to do this is a shady spot) It will make the spark easier to see.

If you have spark at both the plugs you should be good to go. Be sure to check that each plug has about the same spark color and size.

Good luck.

[pallmall]

i've figured it put the carb was stopped up a little bit, it was still gettting gas but not enough. thanks for the all the help and the comments it was greatly appreciated

[BSOrion]

Looks like you are making progress... keep it up!

[bridgestonesforever]

Do you mean the carb was plugged up? causing your problem? Sorry I thought
you were talking about a spark issue  Luke