'73 CB500 rain = electrical problems

[Matte Black]

My first post here, nice to meet yall!

So we just had a snowstorm this morning that I braved on my '73 cb500 four. Dumb, I know but that's besides the case...

It was snowing and raining pretty hard and my engine was soaked. After about 3 NYC blocks my RPMs and power dropped dramatically and had to practically floor it to keep it going. Knowing I was running on only one or two cylinders I looked down and noticed my first and last spark plug cables arching to my engine! Although my cables have shocked me before, I managed to pull it far enough from the engine and felt another cylinder join in. The other side I had no luck. I putted another block and it died on me. The storm was so bad I wheeled it on the sidewalk and caught a cab home.

When the roads/storm cleared I came back about 5 hours later to get my bike. After chiseling it out from under the snow I tried to start it. The starter rotated a few times and it ran out of electricity. Not even enough for a dim headlight. I tried to kick start for 15 min to no avail. I ended up walking it a mile to my parking garage where it is now thawing out.

Regardless if it starts tomorrow or not, I need a water proof cafe racer! What's next that I should do? Replace my spark plugs? Spark plug cables?

If it doesn't start, should I attempt a car jump start? Dumb question??

Thanks!
-Joseph

[temeluchus]

I'd replace the HT wires (spark plug cables), spark plug caps and invest in a new battery whilst you were at it.

Invest in a multimeter so you can check if the alternator is behaving itself.
____________________
Some shite cruiser. Now with guns and FREEDOM!

[pdg]

Jump starting from a car isn't an issue, just so long as the car is 12v and so is the bike... You might well find a few people who will tell you that a car electrical system has 'too much power' - but that's crap.

A new battery might not be a bad idea, but if it was encased in snow a decent charge might well bring it back to life - they don't like extreme cold (check the water level if it's a wet type and also the case for distortion due to possible freezing and/or charging anomalies). I might well be the only person in the world to not recommend the optimate sort of 'smart charger', I had one and it declared 3 batteries 'beyond recovery' that I subsequently recovered using a home made linear charger

I can't remember if the coils on those have replaceable HT leads or if they are moulded - you need new leads whatever. If they are moulded you can do a special bodge by taking off the plug caps, slipping some silicon tubing over the leads and sealing both ends with some silicon sealant and putting new plug caps on - the arcing is caused by the insulation breaking down.

As teme said, get a multimeter - then read the instructions or get someone to show you how they work. A multimeter is a requirement to be considered male, if you don't have one then you are a 14 year old girl.
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Any and all advice given should not be followed - if you have to ask it means you don't know so get a man in to do it for you.

[temeluchus]

[Matte Black]

Great, thanks for your feedbacks temeluchus and pdg!

Its pretty clear that I need to get new HT cables and plug caps. I have some new plugs as well that I need to pop in as I think the arching could also be a gap issue with the current plugs. I'll get on it!

It sounds like a new battery is due as well. I think they are better with cold. Lately for about two weeks, before this winter storm incident, I've only had one chance to start up the bike with the starter, and then it dies, and I've have to kick start. I have a suspicion that my battery may be draining while parked. Could this be possible?

Yes, I'll get a multimeter. Especially now that pdg threatened my manhood.

Thanks guys! I'll try and start/jump it tonight as I think its probably thawed. I'll let ya know what happens.

[Fizzer Thou]

Hello Joseph - and welcome.

I used to have a 1975 CB550F1 which had the original plug caps fitted.When riding in rain it used to stutter and misfire,so I fitted some NGK plug caps which cured the problem.

If you have not seen https://forums.sohc4.net/ before it is a very active site in the USA,as is https://www.sohc.co.uk/ in the UK

As for the standard coils,the plug leads are not replaceable as they are moulded into the coil body.You could try cutting off 5mm or so off the end so that the plug cap makes a better connection with the copper wire
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Just talk bikes.What else is there?

Always have a 'Plan B'

[Matte Black]

Thanks Fizzer Thou, I will def be replacing the caps ASAP. I'm sick of getting shocked too! And I'll def check out SOHC, seems right.

But as usual, not fixing this small issue has caused a greater one...

Now that the bike is thawed, I tested it, and it didn't start at all. Not even close.

Here are the symptoms:
- (New issue) Starter makes a humming sound and doesn't rotate
- Has power as headlight is bright, so it didn't attempt a jump start.
- Won't kick start at all. Not event a pop.

It seems something has failed in getting the plugs to spark...

Right now, I can't really afford to just replace everything in the electric dept and hope I fixed it. So if anyone knows some tests I can run or what cheap parts I could try an replace, that would be great.

Thanks!

[temeluchus]

hose the electrics down with wd40 or similar to chase out any water.
____________________
Some shite cruiser. Now with guns and FREEDOM!

[Matte Black]

[iooi]

[temeluchus]

useless pissing around with it until you dry it out! get the wd40 out before you try and fix anything. surely you can spend a couple of dollars for WD40
____________________
Some shite cruiser. Now with guns and FREEDOM!

[Matte Black]

Thanks ya'll, I'll try WD40 & jump. Grabbing a multimeter too to check my coils. Will let ya know.

Thanks!

[Matte Black]

OK, I bought a multimeter and the battery has less than 2v with ignition off. It jumbles around 1.7v-1.8v...

Safe to say it needs to be replaced? Or should I buy a charger? (Won't be able to find a jump) Or both?

[Matte Black]

Anyways, I went ahead and ordered a new battery.

Here's my plan:

1) Try new battery when it gets here
2) If battery doesn't work, test my coil (primary and secondary sides) with my multimeter. Order a new one if it doesn't have proper Ωs
3) If coil checks out fine, and still won't start, write you guys again.
4) Once I get it running, replace all spark plugs, caps, and HT wires. Water proof new hardware with WD40.


Thanks all for your help!

[temeluchus]

[Matte Black]