Bonneville America Forums Forums Technical Forums Custom Corner Need help!.

Hi everyone,

I need some help here if someone is able. To make a long story short this is my situation.
Due to having had major back and neck surgery, one planned and one not planned, I haven't been able to ride for quite a while. Prior to each separate surgery I purchased a Pro Com CDI and a Fire Starter CDI. (Long Story) Now that I'm much better I tried them both out and the bike runs like crap with both. The Procom ran good for about a mile on number 6 and that was it. I tried every other number and it won't run right with any other number. I am not a mechanic but prior to trying out the CDI's I noticed my bike was running on one cylinder. I ordered one new ignition coil from eBay for $31 way cheaper than stock and the bike is running on 2 cylinders now. I was wondering if there was someone close to New Castle, Pa that I could send both CDIs and try them on their bike to see if they are defective. I hate to buy another one and that not being the problem. I'd pay you of course. If no one close can do it I'd be willing to send it somewhere else. Thanks in advance.
I almost forgot. I have a 2003 America.

I have had an issue with mine running on one side for 2 years and haven't figured it out yet and I am a mechanic. In my case it has to be something in the harness I haven't found. Unfortunately I have many other things to do and have not had much time to work on it. My problem started after it sat for a year because I broke my wrist and had to have surgery. If it was one of my antiques it would have been running again in a couple hours at most. I have been looking at Harleys because I can get parts locally, my Triumphs the closest place is over an hour away and I have found I can't get certain things already for my 04. I have been riding Triumphs for over 40 years, never thought I would consider a Harley.

Mine started after sitting too.

Did you clean the carbs after it was siting?

I just pulled mine out of storage after sitting for about 3 years. Cleaned the carbs and it was off. I have a procom because my stock CDi went bad. Yesterday I was riding home from work and it just cut out lit someone turned it off. I am going to check a few things but I have a feeling the CDI is bad again.

On yours if the Fire starter is not working send UTP a message they took over the TTP business . I asked them a question and I had a answer in a hour. They will remap for half the price of a new CDI. I would talk with them and see what you can work out. They can also test a CDI as well,

I have a used CDI I was going to have remaped but I think I will order a new on this winter and finally put a cam in my bike.

Thank you so much for the reply I appreciate it very much. I didn't clean the carbs. Not comfortable doing it. I watched a YouTube video and the guy said he's been working on bikes for a very long time and he said it is very difficult putting the carbs back on and he left that part of the video out. I don't know how to synch the carbs plus resetting the throttle has me a little nervous too.

Although the bike was sitting I did periodically start it up.

Can you please give me the email address or the website name of UTP. I am definitely going to contact them. Unfortunately, I do not remember where I ordered my Firestarter from but I don't see why it would matter if I'm paying them to remap it. My bike only has 21K miles on it. In your opinion, do you think that's too soon for a CDI to go?

Is this the company?

https://www.triumphtwinpower.com

On that TriumpTwinPower site, there's a red 'click it' titled Ultimate Twin Performance (UTP)

You can drop the bowls down from the carbs without need to adjust anything as long as you don't need to disassemble farther. Only issue is the original screws strip very easily, if you take them out I would buy some allen head or torx head screws to replace them. You could also just open the drain to be sure you have fuel flow, if you do, put a clear tube on the nipple and hold alongside the carb. It will fill to the float level.The level should be about the top of the bowl. You could then run the bike and see what the level does. That's harder to do due to vibration.

Dog I do have some JIS screwdrivers but they're too long to fit under the bowls while on the bike.
I'll take the bowls off and clean them. Thank you for the reply.

Thanks for your help Two_ Wheel_n

You can use a good phillips bit in a 1/4" socket in a 1/4" drive ratchet.

Thanks Dog that's what I'll do.

Dog,
that one side not running sounds like a bad CDI or one going bad. I have an OEM unit that was a Triumph warrentee replacement. It is the bone stock one for the 270 motor. It is just sitting on the shelf in my shop. If that would help sort your engine, let me know.

Thanks, I appreciate the offer but I have replaced the CDI, both coils, wires, plugs, pick up coil (crank sensor) gone through 2 sets of carbs, cleaned my grounds, I am stumped. When I first tested it it pointed to the CDI.I put a firestarter on it, I suppose I could have gotten a bad one but the same side is giving me trouble with both CDIs so I don't think that's it. I also checked compression, valve clearances, leak down. It idles on both but as soon as I crack the throttle I lose fire on the right side.
I broke my wrist so it sat for a year, ran fine when I parked it , when my wrist healed I took it out and it was losing fire.

How is the output of the stator? I once ran into a grounding issue with the rectifier. The wire gauge on this bike is undersized and the rectifier is not in the best location. Might be worth looking into, as have covered all the other bases.

If you have not already, disconnect the carb heated, located on the air box
Test the stator. The Regulator sux as well.
Lastly have a beer, unplug the CDI and go over everyone of the tiny metal contacts on the harness connection.
Clean them, lightly sand. Make sure each one is raised to make better contact.
It's a pissy job, I've done it and it definitely makes a difference.

I already went over all the pins on plug and CDI, I had that issue once on Wendys bike. I replced the CDI and still had a dead jug, beat my brains out looking for the issue. When I pulled the CDI back off I found a bent pin. Thanks guys, no stupid suggestions. I appreciate the help. I have not checked the stator or rectifier and I have not worked on it at all this summer, too much going on right now taking all my time.