85 Big Red with no spark...

[Taiser]

Hey guys;

Parked my BR about 3 weeks ago when I went out of town. Put it in one of those "portable shelters" the things that look like a tent made to park cars in. Drove it in, was running fine. Came back last week and it won't start. When I took it out, the top of the bike had a thin sheet of ice on it from the roof of the shelter because of condensation, that was the only issue. This is a MINT condition bike with maybe 200 hours on it by now...never had an issue, you can see it in my sig. Battery turned the motor over fine.

No spark on the plug. Switched the plug, no spark. Switched the coil with my 86R (just to see if it would spark)...nada. Took the handle bar switch apart and even unsoldered the kill switch. Nothing. Checked all the wiring, everything looks fine.

Anybody know of something stupid that happens to these things? It's gotta be grounding somewhere but to run fine then three weeks later be dead? WTF? I'm stumped....

[matt22895]

down on the right side of the motor next to the reverse cable there is a black metal cover bend it back and there will be two little plugs that attatch to too the motor if they are off or loose it wont spark it has happend to me before

[tri again]

x2 with that neutral safety switch but that usually keeps the starter from spinning.
I have had an 84 AND 85 that would spark with the kick/pull only even tho the starters would spin great.

On that kill switch.
I forget the years but the CDI get it's ground TO spark from the kill switch as well as ground to kill itself.
Unscrew the sparkplug resistor cap and see if you have spark directly from the plug wire.

try kicking it, no kidding.
I still have no answers why no spark with electric starter spin but spark with manual start.

I have 2 right now with funky key switches.
Turn the key and no lights so I have to wiggle them.
Side note, the 85 needs none of the ignition wires connected for it to start manually.
if that helps eliminate a few things. AND the lights all work when it starts.

Please keep us posted.
This could happen to any of us.

[Taiser]

Thanks for the tips but no spark with the kick starter...checked the wires under the cap on the side of the engine, both were solid and in good shape. I'm still stumped! I'll keep checking but might give up and just bring it to a shop...I still don't get how something that's working fine and parked for a few weeks can just die!

[matt22895]

the wires on mine would only work when grounded to the frame

[swifty]

ive had a few of these 250es with bad stators you can do a easy ohms check on 2 of the wires 2 c if its bad i dont remember what ones black with red strip and ??? i have a full electrical system for a 85 big red i just parted out if you need parts, cdi coil stator ect pretty cheap

[CRAZY70MAN]

Just happened yesterday to my 200es. Now I go out this evening and it ran fine? Yesterday had no spark, than started and ran with a miss now nothing? Got me a cdi on the way. I would think yours may be the same. I have had them just up and quit when they are good and ready. Good luck.

[SHIFLITE]

Sound like the CDI box has gone bad. This is the retangular box located near the coil.

[atc007]

It will almost DEF will be the stator. Popular problem.