Motorcycle Repair: 82 MAXIM SPARK GREMLINS, plug caps, electrical problems

Question
Hi Mark,
     I have an 82 XJ1100 Maxim that is dropping spark intermittently in cylinders 1 and 4 which are both fed by the same coil.  The other day I rode about 85 miles.  The bike ran on 2 cylinders for 72 miles and then ran fine for the last 13 even though I stopped to put gas in it.  Two hours later I started it up and it was back on 2 cylinders.  I have continuity from the coils to the TCI module.  I changed the coil out anyway, thinking the wires might be bad.  She purred like a kitten for about 10 minutes and then dropped the spark in the same cylinders again.  This is not a hot or cold problem...it has a mind of it's own.  I filed all the connectors for the ignition circuit and the regulator and used dielectric grease on each terminal.  Still the same problem.  What is going on?  Thanks.

Rich

rwgnepa@aol.com

Answer
Hi Rich,

Electrical problems can be frustrating and challenging to troubleshoot.

It could be as simple as water or condensation shorting that coil, defective insulation on a wire in that circuit, secondary leads or plug caps leaking current to ground, or a defectiver CDI.

Try moving a screwdriver along the secondary leads and look for arc to the tool. Next,  try misting water on the suspect leads and look for an arc to ground (omit the screwdriver for this).

Respectfully,
Mark Shively