Motorcycle Repair: That 1978 XL350, spark plug wire, xl350

Question
Thanks Bill for your quick ans. I checked the Kill sw and it was fine. I checked the coil by removing it and using a meter set on ohms, I checked between the wire going into the coil(not the spark plug wire) and the metal mount on the coil and it showed a direct circut. I'm not very electronicaly experienced but I think that would be bad?? I'm not sure how to ck the ign sw. What do ya think???
Mike

ps I'm waiting on a book that I ordered on line

Answer
Mike... The coil wire will show contact to ground if the points are closed....

Put some plastic between the points, disconnect the condenser if you can and retest.

If still grounded then you have a grounded wire somewhere, or the coil has an internal short.

You can disconnect the plug on the ignition switch.... that will prevent the switch from grounding out the ignition circuit.

Bill Silver