Bike turning over, not starting - possible coil?

Hi all!

New to the site and this is my second Silverwing.

2007, with 17000miles

I’ve just got it and when it first arrived it started, died, then started and I rode it about 5 meters to the garage. Now it won’t start again.

Tried to check spark but could get a good enough sight of it. I don’t have a dedicated tester.

So, I’ve got the panels off, and checking the coil.

No burn marks or cracks.

I’ve got
2.6ohms on primary
19 M ohms on secondary !!!!

I’ve looked through the service book but can’t see what is expected in ohms (I can see in V) but having done research on almost all other bikes, that secondary reading seems waaaaaaayyy to high (assuming it should be at least in the ‘k’ ohms.

Before I go and replace this, I would just like some advice, if anyone can share their readings and what I should be expecting.

And to educate myself, why would there be such a high resistance rather than no resistance at all if the coil is buggered.

Hi Havs, and welcome to the forum for all things Silverwing and a bit more besides.

Quick thought, did you try using a damp start/brake cleaner spray directly into the air box(filter removed). Are the plugs wet with fuel ? Has the bike been standing idle for a long time?

Hope this helps, awaiting your reply.
Be safe, be seen!

Hi!!!

Thank you !

I haven’t tried that, do you think it’s worth the attempt still even though I’m seeing these readings ?

Plugs are black , I cleaned them before proceeding but still no start.
There is an aftermarket exhaust on this so I think that will be contributing to running Rich.

Bike has been sitting a while according to last owner as he has another bike I think over 6 months.

Hi Havs.

Worth the test, if it fires up it ain't the spark. I expect it's a stale fuel issue.

Be safe, be seen!

Ok, ill give it a go, although i did fill up the tank with new fuel (as it was nearly empty). will report back, appreciate the responses!

I just did another test quickly (its been off 1 days now with battery disconnected), and ive got a different reading on the secondary: 35.84 k ohms.

Not sure why its changed so much...

But ill come back to that once ive tried to boot it with some spray down the air box

Right, some updates:

Checked the air filter, it looks ok, removed it, got some carb cleaner down the hole but nothing, it still turns over and doesn't start.

Checked the spark with a known spark plug, in the dark, and both sides seem good.

Removed the coil and HT leads, tested directly, and it seems ok, with decent readings.

I'll try some new plugs in there tomorrow, otherwise, I think the coil and spark side of things seems ok...

Where to move from here?

Got to the bottom of this. It was a bad coil in the end. Changed the sparks too and with the already installed new battery, we are running super smooth.

Great news havs. Thanks for letting us know, it's one for the archives.

I never did like the location of that coil, particularly with our lovely UK climate and salty roads. 

Well done; ride on.