Magneto problems

GoldenMotor.com

cvcook

New Member
Oct 10, 2010
5
0
1
tx
My bike has less than 200 miles and has no spark. plug and coil has been changed, and has plenty of compression..... Do these things go bad this soon?
also, do they make a better aftermarket magneto?
 

ckangaroo70

Active Member
May 13, 2011
864
126
43
Central Illinois
I would say it would not be considered "normal" for a mag to malfunction at less then 200 miles, but I would say it is quite possible. Pretty simple ignition system on these engines...so if you have replaced two out of the three possible culprits in the system and still have no fire, then it is quite possible that your mag has failed.

I have not really seen any aftermarket magnetos for upgrade although there may be, but I have read a few threads an articles detailing how to wind your own for better performance. Other then that I believe the more simple route is just to order another mag and hope you get a better one. Quality control on some of these electrical components is probably not the most uniform, but I have gotten hundreds of miles out of stock mags without issue.
 

2door

Moderator
Staff member
Sep 15, 2008
16,302
175
63
Littleton, Colorado
Ditto:

There are aftermarket ignition systems but to date none of them have been proven to be superior to the stock, kit, components. Lots of advertising hype and word of mouth but nothing solid to justify the high priced alternatives.

There have been reports of poor (cold) solder joints on the magnetos but generally speaking they are reliable and will perform just fine for many many miles.

I'd check your mag against published Ohm readings and check your wiring connections including the contacts in the kit kill switch (button).

How are you checking for ignition or "spark"?

Tom
 

Scol

Member
Jan 10, 2014
44
0
6
Ireland
I have the same problem, New kit a few week ago maybe 20 -30 miles on the clock. No spark. I took the plug out and held it against the engine peddled the bike with the clutch out. I changed the coil still no joy I now waiting on a new Magneto.

Hopefully that will solve the problem.
 

ckangaroo70

Active Member
May 13, 2011
864
126
43
Central Illinois
Well...personally I would not throw your defective mags away if they prove to be the issue. Cold solders are a possible culprit. So, if you have the means to solder...you might find it worthwhile to unsolder and resolder the visable solder connections on your magneto. It may or may not be the problem, but I did have a mag one time that I had to resolder a wire on to make it functional. Just something to check out before you chuck that mag in the trash.