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1981 cx 500custm no start
has fuel
it was running and then it would die when it was driven for awhile.
and would not restart until later.
now it wont start at all.
it has a weak spark.
i have two of these motorcyces i bought this onefor 100$
the other one runs sweet,i switched control units,nothing.
i swithed wires,nothing
i suspected the stator.
i pulled the motor out and am looking at stator.
i dont have any specs for testing it.
i noticed the pulsars that sit left and right of the stator that wire to the
CDI pulsar stator which in turn goes to the CDI unit,one of them has a
small crack in the resin insulator that surrounds the "pickup"if thats the right words.i hope someone knows what i mean.im just wandering if that small crack would cause it not to give a hot spark.or if im just grasping at anything.any advise

ether

Have you checked the coils?

Check the power wires to the coil from the CDI with a volt meter.

If you have between 1-3 volts then the CDI and pick up coils are ok.

Then check the power terminal on the coil to ground for continuity if you have it then the coil is no good.

Good Luck!

Mike

okay check the single wire going to the coil from the cdi for 3 volts with key on?
and then check the coil to ground.from the secondary lead or the small primary lead coming from the cdi?
i have two of these bikes and ive put the cdi unit on the other bike and it starts.ive also put the coils on the other bike and that starts as well. also the spark plug insulators too.
ive checked the small wire that comes from the cdi unit and bolts to the coil for continuity to ground and it has it.and so does my running bike.that got me thinking and i didnt think it was supposed to be that way
but it works anyway on my running bike.i was a mechanic for ten years and ive been out of it for five so i am just forgetting theory."auto mechanic"help

Have you tried to start it by spraying carb cleaner into the carbs??? I know you said it has fuel, but this will ensure that you have something that will ignite easily. Also remove one plug and ground it to the engine and check for a good spark. Make sure your batt is not using all it's power on the starter. If the batt is weak you can jump it off a car batt. Hope this helps.

i tried both of those already.
but thank you.

ether. highly explosive chemical used to put animals to sleep. take out the plugs, spray that in and put choke on half-choke, then kick the hell out of it while holding down the throtle a little way. assuming you have a spark that is big enough.

I've come across many 70's and 80's Hondas with bad engine kill switches up at the handle bars.

They would allow some voltage to the coil but not a sufficient amount.

Try to disconnect the kill switch wires down at the coil and see what that will do as well as change out the main fuse even if it appears to be good.

Mike