Testing K100 spark plugs

[PaulP]

How do;
I'm currently in a 'no start' scenario with the old K100, and going throught the various fault finding. I'm also rapidly falling out of love with this thing.....

I'm led to believe that one should not test for a spark with any of the HT leads disconnected, although I had done already. Ooops.

I've read a fair bit about the electro-trickery involved in the HT circuit, but my question is fairly simple;

If I have all four plugs out, connected to the HT leads, how do I earth all four at the same time to the block without five hands? Surely my petrol-addled brain is missing something. Does anyone have the technique required to simply see if there's a spark at the plug, without fancy meters etc?

Do I leave 3 of them in the cylinder and test one at a time (at the risk of the thing firing up) or is it there an enlightened way......?

Many thanks.

[The Mighty Gryphon]

Check the plugs one at a time.

http://www.harborfreight.com/inline-ignition-spark-checker-69014.html

[Martin]

I made up a four wire harness out of heavy gauge wire. I joined four wires together at one end with a clamp ( so you can earth it). At the other end I crimped a tubular connector onto one end of the wire and soldered a 4mm bolt with the head cut off to the other end of the tubular wire connector ( cut of the outer plastic case,  do this to the four wires and cover with heat shrink). If your spark plugs have the built in nipple, you just get some old ones and screw them onto the headless screws. if your leads don't require nipples leave them off. As I have both types on mates bikes I can do both types. I was going to post pictures but I think the harness is at a mates place.
Regards Martin.

[PaulP]

Thanks, yes, in the end that's what I did.

Spark's OK, no fuel getting down there.....

[PaulP]

Cheers Martin, that's the sort of contraption I was thinking I was needing to make.

As mentioned (I think you posted just as I was typing my previous reply) my spark seems good.

I'm off down the fuel route now. My rebuilt pump is pumping, but I see a shower of fuel inside the tank when it's activated. I need to track down whether that's normal, and if not, the cause.

[Laitch]

I'm off down the fuel route now. My rebuilt pump is pumping, but I see a shower of fuel inside the tank when it's activated.

I'd call that a description of a leaking or disconnected fuel line or fuel filter.

[PaulP]

Cheers, yes, I thought I'd connected up some fuel line or other incorrectly, transpires that there is some petrol squirting out past the top o-ring which seals the pump assembly.

I hadn't quite crimped the outer 'can' tightly enough. I was reticent to wallop the crimps too forcefully.

Rectified, but I'm sure it isn't the source of my 'no fuel' problem, as the leak wasn't enough to lose too much pressure. My money is on clogged injectors or a dickie pressure regulator, although at this moment I've nae real idea.

[Laitch]

My money is on clogged injectors or a dickie pressure regulator, although at this moment I've nae real idea.

Those are real ideas aren't they? Maybe by now I can't tell the difference. Anyway, it's nothing that a pressure gauge, ready money, or an adventurous spirit can't sort.

[PaulP]

....or a hammer? I'm just not sure which part to hit.

It looks nicer now though, I might just turn it into an elaborate coffee table.

[Martin]

Paul just hit everything, if  that doesn't work you probably need a bigger hammer. :hehehe
Regards Martin.