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[Wally]

Greetings, I purchased a 2002 Bullet 500 Electric start recently with only 2,300 miles showing,and once warmed up the engine at idle sputters and stalls. The battery has a full charge, the carb and valves are adjusted properly, no vacuum leaks, fresh fuel, and it seems the charging systems is working correctly. I do notice that the amp gauge needle bounces into the red as the engine sputters and stalls. Not sure if that indicates the problem or happens because of the reduced idle. Could this problem be caused by a faulty rectifier?

[Norm]

Personally the way I would fault find this is to run a wire directly from the battery to the pos of the coil (be carefull with this because you are buypassing the ingition circuit) then run the bike up to temp to where the trouble normally begins. If the problem has gone the problem is ignition wiring related, if not it is either coil/points/condensor or fuel. Fit another coil, even a second hand one will do for a test, and try again, If not replace points and condensor and try again. Don't worry, that is just what a shop would do and charge you for it anyway. If after all this and the problem remains look at the carb

[Gwilly]

As per Norm when looking for ignition type gremlins... Some other bits to check.

Carb float height? Indian book says around 29mm, this is way too high resulting in too low a fuel height in the chamber..

24-25mm gives better pick up on the pilot and better tickover when hot..

Pilot screw less than one full turn out or more than 2 indicates wrong pilot jet for filter/exhaust setup, or air leaks having to compensate for..

Throw in a new iridium plug and check the HT cap and lead for cracking and security at the coil connection..
Primary connections at coil clean and tight? Also that black and white wire from the points..follow it back where it goes up behind the tool box, some bikes have a connector in this wire which can get loose/dirty... pig to find... probably simple, have fun... gwilly

[Bullet Whisperer]

Wally, if the ammeter needle deflects as it comes to a stop, it could be an indication that there is an intermittent short somewhere which is cutting the engine out. As already mentioned it could be a bit of a job finding it though. Cheers, Paul.

[sofiaspin]

This happened to me - twice - and on both occasions it was the coil. Symptoms were erratic running at tickover, - it would start with a new plug, then it would cut out. Replace the coil.

[Wally]

Problem solved, thanks for all the advice. Due your responses the coil became suspect and found it to be incorrectly wired. Followed the wire diagram in my service manual, rewired and found success. Thanks again.