Motorcycle Repair: ignition, honda shadow ace, resistance values

Question
caruj2@aol.com    1996 1100cc Honda Shadow ace  American Clasic Edition   38000mi   ... I I lost fire while riding .the bike would cool off & re start after 10 min but only run for 1/4 mile or so before stopping again, & do the same. The previous day it had got wet, heavy rains for 6 miles of riding, Then parked in rain for a few hours that nite. ,  It started fine the next day & ran 3 miles before it killed & lost fire. The motor would spin over ,but not fire. I had it trailered home after the 4th try .. Could this be condensation in the motor ? I have found out there is a firing rotor contact in the right side of the motor. It tests out at .51 ohms. Is this the proper reading?... the bike is running fine now that it is dry  but I cant trust that it wont happen again on a trip. I have coated all of the electric plug-ins with dielectric grease. This is not the first time the bike was wet ,I live in Louisana & it rains all the time ,but this is the first break down & it corrected it self .. I am now scared to trust it...Could it be the black box sending unit? How to test ? Or the rotor contacts ? How to test?  Are the rotor contacts in oil bath in the right side of the motor? or are they dry , this would explain if there could be a condensation problem...The battery is fine & charging... the kill switch & kick stand switch  tested fine   Please inform me  caruj2@aol.com  Thanks

Answer
Hi John,

Q:  I have found out there is a firing rotor contact in the right side of the motor. It tests out at .51 ohms. Is this the proper reading?

A: I don't have resistance values to compare to.


Q:  the bike is running fine now that it is dry  but I cant trust that it wont happen again on a trip. I have coated all of the electric plug-ins with dielectric grease. This is not the first time the bike was wet.

A:  I was going to recommend dielectric grease to help prevent water shorting, which is what I suspect is causing the problem.

If necessary, seal the connectors where the wires enter the connector (wire harness side of connector). Use a product called Liquid (Electrical) Tape. Good stuff.


Q:  Could it be the black box sending unit? How to
test ?

A:  It could be. It could be water shorting at the CDI's connectors, too. Test with a known good CDI. Expensive test, huh? I agree.


Q: Or the rotor contacts? How to test?

A:  Could be... Inspect for obvious signs of non-conductance. Measure resistance and check continuity.  


Q:  Are the rotor contacts in oil bath in the right side of the motor? or are they dry?

A:  The pick-up coils are inside the clutch cover, in oil.


I suspect the problem is water shorting and you've taken measures to prevent shorting again. Has the problem ever occurred when the weather is dry?

Consider sealing the connectors with Liquid Tape as an extra measure of precaution.


Respectfully,
Mark Shively