No spark!

[NickyRudolph]

It was up and running great a few days ago. The other night I was trying to figure out a headlight issue and two days later I went to ride it and got no spark. I thought maybe my battery was dead so I hooked it to a charger. When I touch ground to positive I get a spark so I don't think the battery is dead. Any ideas?

[Sam Green]

Nicky, you will get a spark from your battery if it's connected to a charger, it don't mean there is any life in the battery.
The easy way to test is, turn on ignition. A red light on the headlight near to the speedometer should come on indicating that the motor is in neutral and not in gear.
Press the starter button. If the motor turns over quickly, then the battery is good, if sluggish, it needs charging.
Also, check your fuse, it can be found to the rear of the battery on the strap that holds the battery in place.

Sam.:)

[Roberd42]

Did you accidentally leave the ignition switch in an on position after you were troubleshooting the headlight? If left on for too long not running, with a good battery, the coil can be toasted.

[NickyRudolph]

Did you accidentally leave the ignition switch in an on position after you were troubleshooting the headlight? If left on for too long not running, with a good battery, the coil can be toasted.

I did leave it in ignition. Needs a new battery?

[frappy]

As Sam mentioned, try charging the battery.

[Roberd42]

Yes, charge the battery. Then if it doesn't spark, ohm test the coil.

[ByTheLake]

Did you accidentally leave the ignition switch in an on position after you were troubleshooting the headlight? If left on for too long not running, with a good battery, the coil can be toasted.Right - I did that very thing after restoring a '72 Honda CB175. With the excitement of the first ride, I parked it but left the key on and burned up the ignition coil.

[NickyRudolph]

Right - I did that very thing after restoring a '72 Honda CB175. With the excitement of the first ride, I parked it but left the key on and burned up the ignition coil.

I am confident it is the ignition coil. Are these coils generic? Anyone know where to get one that will work for the bike?

[NickyRudolph]

I am confident it is the ignition coil. Are these coils generic? Anyone know where to get one that will work for the bike?

Anybody know where I can get one??

[ByTheLake]

Did you check eBay?

The hollow stamped frame of the CA95 provides an opportunity to install most any suitable 6-volt coil. Ideally, a NOS or used CA95 coil would be the best place to start. The CA160 also used a 6-volt system, so the coil would likely work fine, but avoid coils for the CB160 or CL160, since they were 12 volts.

Here's a used one:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1965-150-CA95-Honda-Benley-Touring-Vintage-OEM-coil-pack-tested-/361167838784?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&fits=Make%3AHonda%7CSubmodel%3ACA95&hash=item541747de40&vxp=mtr

Here's a new one:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HONDA-6-VOLT-Ignition-Coil-Dual-Spark-Plug-Wire-Output-CA95-Benley-Tourer-/200931137486?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2ec86dd7ce&vxp=mtr

If you can't find a Honda coil, there are generic alternatives. Just be sure to get a coil designed to use 6 volts where both high voltage leads fire at the same time, which suits the "wasted spark" system that's common to most small inline twins. For example:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Motorcycle-Ignition-Dual-Twin-Coil-6-Volt-2-ohm-NEW-/170435324264

If you use this style coil, be sure to secure the coil on both ends of the metal rod, since the coil expects to use the bike's frame as a heat sink to stay cool.

Here's another option that would work, but it might be a bit larger to hide in the bike's frame. This style tends to be cooled by oil contained inside the sealed canister.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Lifeline-International-Motorcycle-Chrome-Ignition-Coil-6-Volt-/201239631305?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2edad115c9&vxp=mtr

[frappy]

eBay is where I'd start too if i didn't have a spare. Here is another decent looking new coil on eBay.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/HONDA-6-VOLT-Ignition-Coil-Dual-Spark-Plug-Wire-Output-CA95-Benley-Tourer-/200931137486?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2ec86dd7ce&vxp=mtr

[NickyRudolph]

Anyone have one lying around so I'm not butchered by these eBay prices?

[Spokes]

Regrets that I don't have extra's. Good CA95 & 160 coils are hard to come by and fetch good money.

Sometimes restoring vintage bikes takes a bite now and again....

[Roberd42]

You may be able to use a 12v coil on the 6v system. Not sure. If not you could convert to 12v and 12v coils are much more readily available.

[ByTheLake]

Anyone have one lying around so I'm not butchered by these eBay prices?I didn't feel that $68 with free shipping for a brand new part was being "butchered" - seemed like a very reasonable price. In the days before the Internet, you'd have to attend swap meets to find these parts, and negotiate with smelly guys that live in their vans.

[frappy]

I didn't feel that $68 with free shipping for a brand new part was being "butchered" - seemed like a very reasonable price. In the days before the Internet, you'd have to attend swap meets to find these parts, and negotiate with smelly guys that live in their vans.


I quite agree on both counts. :D The internet certainly has made it much more feasible to restore bikes. The fact that folks are reproducing vintage parts and selling on the internet (like that coil pack for $68) is one great example of how the internet has really helped this hobby. However, I do like going to the swap meets - good camaraderie and deals to be found for sure.