Forum

[steve1]

I recently broke down in extremely wet weather (Ireland!). The problem was the HT shorting out (coil, lead or plug cap). Has anyone had this problem? Do you know or can anyone suggest mods that I could do so that I can continue to ride in wet weather!

[ric]

Might be best to identify exactly where the shorting is occurring, a wet bike at night is my first thought.
I've suffered with breakdowns in heavy rain on other bikes and its mainly been the fault of cheap factory HT leads. In the dark small sparks could easily be seen dancing on the outside of the lead.

If you find the HT lead is the culprit try and fit some good quality multi stranded copper core.

[nigelphoto]

Try liberal applications of ACF50 . . . . bit like Lily the Pink's Medicinal Compound - efficacious in every case (i.e. insulates electrics, protects rubber, inhibits corrosion, lubricates bearings etc etc).

[Adrian]

While you're treating your CGT to some top notch copper-core HT lead, you could also junk the metal-clad plug cap if it has one and get a proper replacement, eg Champion or NGK. Just be careful that if your CGT uses a resistor plug, use a non-resistor plug cap, if you have a "plain" spark plug, use a resistor plug cap. A resistor in both the plug and the cap will make starting a lot harder. A

[steve1]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll go for a new copper core HT lead and a new plug cap (seen a nice red NGK one that should look good as well!) How do I know if I have a resistor plug or not? The one I have fitted is the iridium one bought from Hitchcocks.

[Adrian]

Check the plug description. Iridium plugs ARE resistor plugs, the clue is the letter R in the NGK number eg BPR6EIX, so no nice red plug caps for you with THAT plug. The black Rubber Champion plug cap would be better and has a nice classic look to it, though if you hunt on-line NGK also sell non-resistor plug caps. A.

[steve1]

OK - got that, thanks Adrian. It would appear that I have had a resistor type plug and resistor type cap. Not good. Maybe when I fit the NGK non resistor cap all my problems will go away! I'll fit a new lead as well though. No more breakdowns wanted.

[nigelphoto]

Just a thought - I had a Bullet Classic 500 until last week when I swapped it for a new Conti. I tried the iridium plug in the Classic 500 and it wouldn't start and kept fouling up - so it was back to the OE Bosch and my life instantly became calmer . . . and happier! Wiser men than I write sensible things about EFI plugs that suggest the Iridium plug only works in high performance engines (HP4, R1, Gixer etc).

[Leon Novello]

Nigelphoto: If the Iridium plug kept fouling up, it would be a sign that it was too cold, not that the plug was no good.

[Les]

What you should also remember is that Iridium plugs are designed to be fitted and left alone until they need replacing, you do not gap or clean them, cleaning will remove the coating and ruin them