


A rich condition on an engine is not a a healthy way to run and should be fixed. When you hear someone say the term, “my motorcycle is running rich” it means they think that the cylinder is getting too much fuel and not enough air. If there’s too much of either one then the combustion will be weak and has the potential to damage your engine. In order for the combustion process to take place successfully inside the cylinder there needs to be a certain amount of air and fuel. You’ll then hear the really loud bang of the combustion and you’ll probably see flames coming out of the exhaust pipe unless you have a high quality spark arrestor in your pipes. If your timing is off and the spark gets to the end of the spark plug a little too late then the exhaust valve in your cylinder head will have started to open, and the spark plug finally sparks. Again, this all depends on what model of motorcycle you have as they are all different. Once the timing marks are lined up you have to set the points a specific distance away from each other. But usually it’s done by finding certain timing marks inside your crankcase cover and lining those up.
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Every time the discs separate it sends the signal to the ignition coil to send the spark to the spark plug.Ī point has to be set manually by following the written instructions from your motorcycle shop manual or repair manual. A point is basically two small metal discs that open and close as your engine spins around. My 1969 Triumph 250 originally had a points system and I got tired of it so I installed an electronic system. When you have a classic motorcycle that still has points and a condenser then things get a little more tricky because now not only do you have all those mechanical timing issues to worry about, but you also have to figure out if your ignition is manually timed correctly. The culprit could be things like the timing chain is one tooth forward or backwards of where it should be, or an exhaust valve is sticking open for a little bit too long (which is a pretty common problem with older motorcycles). So if you have a timing issue with an electronically controlled motorcycle then it’s most likely a mechanical timing issue. When the ignition coil receives this voltage signal it dumps its built up voltage which is carried through your spark plug wire, through your spark plug, and finally ends up as a big spark right at the top of your cylinder.Įlectronic ignition modules generally do a great job at sending the firing signal, even when they’re 40 years old. The way electronic timing works is by sending a voltage signal to your ignition coil when one of the cylinders is in its compression stroke and about ready to fire.
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Most motorcycles from 1970 on have electronic timing which makes things a lot easier.Įlectronic timing has simplified how to troubleshoot a backfiring problem because there are less parts to check off as the culprit. Motorcycles have two different types of timing, either electronic timing or a points/condenser setup. Click here to see my list of recommended tools to use on your motorcycle. When it comes to troubleshooting motorcycle issues, it’s always nice to have the right, basic tools handy so you can make these fixes in the comfort of your own garage. I’ll describe each possible scenario as simply as possible so you can troubleshoot your motorcycle and try to understand why you might be experiencing this problem. I have a minor in automotive engineering and spent time in some of my classes studying and fixing backfires.

I have worked on dozens of motorcycles over the years and backfire issues seem to come around every once in a while. Why is my motorcycle backfiring? A motorcycle backfire happens because of the presence of uncombusted fuel in the exhaust pipe. It can damage your ears if you’re in a confined space, or could start a fire as some backfires even emit flames, I’ve almost had my hand burned once from a pesky backfire problems I was troubleshooting. A motorcycle exhaust backfire is an annoying and potentially dangerous problem to have. A backfire is a loud pop or bang sound that comes from your exhaust pipes when your motorcycle is running.
