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71 650 Bonneville won't spark
Hello all, glad I found this forum. I am new to Triumphs as well as working on bikes myself in general. I purchased a 71 Bonneville that has good compression, but just won't spark. The previous owner said it started fine before but he let it sit for a few months and couldn't get it started again. I can see that he replaced the spark plugs first thing, as it is obvious they have never been fired and are brand new. I've verified the plugs are the correct ones for the bike, and pulling out the plug and hanging it next to the engine casing and trying to kick start the motor results in no spark. Using a volt meter and the wiring diagram, I verified battery is producing at least 12 volts, then started checking wires for continuity. The ground to ignition is good. Checking the ground to the negative coming out of the ignition is off when the key is off, and good with the key on so the ignition switch appears good. That wire goes into an electric starter box (Micro MK-III High powered ignition unit) and out to the negative on one of the coils. I get no continuity with the key on from one side of the unit to the other. Thinking I was on to something, I pulled out the wiring diagram and rewired the ignition, bypassing the MK-III altogether but still no spark. Based on that, I assume that the MK-III probably allows power/continuity when I kick start it rather than continuously so I am unable to correctly test it (maybe someone can confirm that this is or is not true). So, I am at a loss right now. Not sure I need to look at the coils or the points as possible culprits, or if I was right the first time and the MK-III is the problem. Any recommended direction here?
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