Any Motorcycle Mechanics out there?

[ccm911]

My 1965 Suzuki Hillbilly lost it's spark, and I am having difficulty troubleshooting.  I figure an extra set of eyes and hands would help.

I will either pay for your time, or swap Porsche labor.

Thanks.

[scwaters]

Haven't owned a Suzucki in years but had the same problem and it turned out to be the rectifier.  Cheap and easy

[csnyder993]

Did you resolve your problem?  If not, please give more details about how the bike lost its spark?  Did it happen suddenly?  Where is the bike stored? As many details as possible would be helpful

Chuck

[ccm911]

Had the bike running last summer.  It ran great.  Parked it in the garage.  A friend stopped by about an hour later, and there was no spark.  Wiring looks like hell, as prior owner was not running a battery, so it was "modified".

[csnyder993]

ok, I want to verify some of my assumptions...  1965 means 6v battery, correct?  Also, a kickstarter.  And, IIRC, the bike is a two stroke...

First, your statement re: the wiring scares me.  If is is really that bad, replace it. Second, how do you know you are not getting spark?  Have you taken the plug out, held it against the cylinder head (or any other metal part) and kicked started it?  Holding the plug jacket and NOT the plug!! 

Is the plug new?  If it is not, or you are not sure, use a new one.  Plugs from that era didn't last long, expecially with a 2 stroke engine.  I assume you need to use pre-mix?  (e.g. you need to mix oil and gas together)  Is the ratio correct? Too much oil tends to foul the plugs...

Check all your wire connections, expecially the ground(s) Some bikes had more than one.  If you are not sure about their integrity, take them off, wire brush the connection point and replace, covering them with some vaseline.

I could go on, but try these first. If they do not work, we can speak on the phone, as I hate to type!

Chuck

[ccm911]

Thanks, Chuck!  I did "all of the above".  Now I need to see if the magneto is putting out anything.  If it is, then I will move on to the coil and so forth.

What a pain!