Motorcycle Repair: 1984 XV700 Ignition problem, coil resistance, picking up the signal

Question
Hi Rob,
My wife's xv700 quit running on the aft cylinder.  I replaced the coil, (resistance was considerably different than than the manual specs) and also replace the CDI unit based on the recommendation of a local shop owner.  The bike still does not fire on the aft cylinder, though it starts up easily on the forward cylinder, though the tach does not work.  When I exchange the leads from the CDI unit for the front and rear coil, the bike then runs on the aft cylinder and not the front.  I'm not sure how to check the pulse generator to see if its sending a signal to the CDI for the aft cylinder.  Can you provide me any tips/guidance on the diagnosis and repair, as I really don't want to haul it into the shop.  Thanks.

Answer
Glen,  It sounds like you are on the right track.  Good job on your self Diagnostics!  I don't have much more advice for you.  The easy stuff is checking all of the wiring, but like you said it is not picking up the signal to fire that cylinder.  If all of the parts/pick-ups are there then it usually requires part swaps until the culprit is found.