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Ok so to continue on from the other thread... I switched the coils and there is no change. Still bogging and sporadically surging. Haven't pulled the plugs to compare them but I pulled the one on the bad side to check for spark (just kicking it) and it sparks and the plug doesn't look bad. Im still thinking electrical though. Maybe someone with more experience with points can give some ideas. Also, it's smokin out of both pipes at idle and when it's revved in neutral. I think it sounds like both cylinders are working in neutral but just when i ride it down the road the problem shows itself.

fireguzzi wrote: Im still thinking electrical though.

You said the plugs are ok.
You said swapped the coils and no change.

So if it is electrical and only affects one cylinder, the culprit is probably the wires, points, springs, or the timing.

I would first check the plug wires since it's right there out in the open.

From what I rememeber, the RDs have two sets of points, one set for each cylinder. Take a look at the points to see if they are pitted. Check the gaps. I don't have the specs but you can probably get that on the internet.

Another thing to check while you're in there, are the point springs. If the spring is weak or broken, the points will bounce. The engine may still idle and run normally at low speeds but will misfire at high speeds.

The timing on the RDs are adjusted for each cylinder as well. You would do that after the points are adjusted.

Are there condensors? If so look at the points, if you see a spark at the points the condensors are bad.

Johnj wrote:Are there condensors?

Yes the RDs have condensers.

DOH!! I found the culprit. It's not electrical. Like I said I pulled that one plug on WHAT I THOUGHT was the bad side, well my ears were playing tricks on me. I pulled the plug on the other side, which I havent done yet, and after partly screwing it out with the ratchet I pulled the socket off and gave it a couple twist with my hand and it pulled out. As in the head is completely stripped out. that thing was barely hanging in there. So Im losing all compression out of THAT cylinder. I guess Im gonna have to order a new head gasket and repair the plug hole. Or take the head off the other one. Kinda worried about doing that though, afraid it won't match up exactly perfect coming off another engine. Ah well, at least it's a 2 smoker and won't be too time consuming to pull the head.

fireguzzi wrote:DOH!! I found the culprit. It's not electrical. Like I said I pulled that one plug on WHAT I THOUGHT was the bad side, well my ears were playing tricks on me. I pulled the plug on the other side, which I havent done yet, and after partly screwing it out with the ratchet I pulled the socket off and gave it a couple twist with my hand and it pulled out. As in the head is completely stripped out. that thing was barely hanging in there. So Im losing all compression out of THAT cylinder. I guess Im gonna have to order a new head gasket and repair the plug hole. Or take the head off the other one. Kinda worried about doing that though, afraid it won't match up exactly perfect coming off another engine. Ah well, at least it's a 2 smoker and won't be too time consuming to pull the head.

Can't you just helicoil it? I would rather do that than take the cylinder head off the other one. I think cylinder head and block paired up from two different engines is a recipe for a blown head gasket in the future. Either way, like you said, ringading 2smokes are so easy.

Wouldn't I need to take the head off to helicoil it? I don't want get metal bits in the cylinder. If not then im all for it. I just don't know if it might make shavings or not.

fireguzzi wrote:Wouldn't I need to take the head off to helicoil it? I don't want get metal bits in the cylinder. If not then im all for it. I just don't know if it might make shavings or not.

Maybe coat the tap with grease so the shavings stick to the grease?

I've done a bit of searching around and found that some have successfully put them in with the head on. Like you said Hyperr, grease the tap and also rig up an attachment to a vacuum that I can stick in the plug hole to get any shavings that might get lose in there. Might try that.

fireguzzi wrote:I've done a bit of searching around and found that some have successfully put them in with the head on. Like you said Hyperr, grease the tap and also rig up an attachment to a vacuum that I can stick in the plug hole to get any shavings that might get lose in there. Might try that.

I do think that the grease will contain any metal bits that otherwise would fall into the chamber.

Certainly not the "proper" way and I certainly wouldn't do it on a new desmosedici motor but I might take a shot on an old ringading 2smoke.