Bandit losing 2 cylinders

[Mr Hammers]

So, i'm riding along and suddenly the power drops and i realise i'm running on either 2 or 3 cylinders. Manage to make it home, as it lasts for about 15-20 mins then the power comes back. Or, if i leave it overnight, it's fine for the short journey to work, but does it again if i go see a friend, and then go home.

Immediate thought is either carbs or fuel tap, as i've had ongoing issues with these, but when i check which cylinders aren't producing power (using headers as an indication) i see that it's 2 and 3, the two in the middle.

Pull everything off to get to the carbs today, and then realise that one coil supplies cylinders 2 and 3. Hmm. Now i'm thinking it's not a carb issue at all, but possibly a coil problem.

I've ordered another off the ebay, but that won't get here until thursday, and i need the bike for commuting to work.

So, do you think it is likely to be the coil, and if so, how long before it breaks down completely. Will it just stop, or continue to lose power more and more? Just wondering if it'll get me to work until thursday!

Any thoughts on it gratefully received, cheers!
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A Guide To Powerbands

[Nobby the Bastard]

It's almost always an electrical problem rather than fuelling.

Yes it's more likely to be the coil. They tend to fail when warm initially and then start working again when they've cooled down.

I wouldn't trust it to not fail completely and to do it with no notice.
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trevor saxe-coburg-gotha:"Remember this simple rule - scooters are for men who like to feel the breeze on their huge, flapping cunt lips."
Triumph Sprint ST 1050

[doggone]

It sounds like one of ignition coils has gone, I had similar on off behaviour riding home from Northern France with an XJ900 - but we made it back often on two cylinders.
Probably under the tank.
This used to happen a lot with 80s/90s bikes.

[Mr Hammers]

Cheers guys. That's reassuring, i'd rather it was a coil rather than a carb problem. The replacement should be here midweek, so hopefully it'll last until then. Good knowing i can still get home on 2 pots if i need to.
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A Guide To Powerbands

[redeem ouzzer]

I wouldn't recommend riding with one or more cylinders down for any length of time. You'll petrol wash the bores on the cylinders that aren't firing which will cause wear and oil contamination.

Also the standard Suzuki coils are crap. Either fit Dyna minis or do a stick conversion with Honda CBR bits (have correct impedence for the CDI).
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Be a REAL MAN!

[doggone]

[A100man]

[that_impulse_guy]

my late '80s bike is world famous for overheating the coils, one of its weakpoints..symptoms same as described above, so i converted it to a coil on plug type system before even finishing the restoration. (awaiting criticism about dwell times while i happily motor along without breaking down)
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Gone: Yamaha DT50lc, Suzuki DR500, Suzuki A100, Kawasaki z250ltd, RD350YPVS, Suzuki DR Big, Kawasaki AR125, Kawasaki KMX200, Suzuki GS1000S, Katana 1100, GS550M, Suzuki RGV250
Now: Suzuki GSX400X, Suzuki RF900R, NS400R

[redeem ouzzer]

[PotatoHead202...]

Almost definitely coils
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Suzuki V Strom 1050XT, Honda CBF500 ABS,

[Mr Hammers]