Cali III basket case project

[bentombed]

I'm working my way through a 1993 Cali III carb model basket case.   when i picked the bike up the seller stated that it should start, but he was having issues after a carb rebuild and installing a dyna ignition system.

i started on the carbs, they had been given a partial rebuild, with more bits missing than included. got the kits, full rebuild and they should be good to go. I have rebuilt many carbs before, and am pretty confident they are not the problem.

i tried to start the bike again over the weekend, it will turn over happily, there is oil at the rockers, there is spark (it is weak but it is there), there is fuel, but it will not kick over.  at this point i should point out that the bikes only connected wiring is start button to to dyna and the starter motor - no idiot lights,  no brake lights, nothing else.  the wiring left is chaos at best.  the first question i have is do i need anything else connected to get the bike to run? i couldnt tell you if the regulator is connected, i suppose i should check.

where do i begin to get the bike running again? i'm pretty sure I will need to do a full rewire, check the coils, check the timing,  check the dyna system, anything else? i'm reasonably good on the tools but electrics are a bit of a mystery to me.  I'll post some photos up shortly

[bentombed]

image uploader

[Turin]

Cal III's are great... Love mine. Check the dyna ignition plate inside the dizzy. I had one that had the solder came undone.

Wiring scares the crap out of me. If what is existing is a mess, I'd start here.
https://www.thisoldtractor.com/for_sale_wiring_harness_tonti_california_iii.html

[nc43bsa]

Did you BUY that hot mess?  What does the rest of the bike look like?

[wirespokes]

I just went through this with a 76 Convert. It ran but an accident fried the voltage regulator. In replacing the regulator, I changed where it was mounted. During the process, I did a lot of sorting and routing cables and wires. Then when I tried to start it, it would pop, spit and sometimes backfire blowing off a carb. Not wanting to mess with the Dyna (figuring it was the problem) I ditched it and installed points. Same problem. Boy did I get frustrated on that one! Eventually days later, I discovered the coils had gotten their leads swapped, at which point it started and ran.

In your case, it's easy enough to check that it's timed correctly or at least close. Since you're getting a spark, all it needs is enough at the right time. No charging system or anything else is needed for it to run. Starter and power to the Dyna and coils is all that's needed. You might try starting fluid to get it started.

In the old days I'd squirt some oil into the cylinders of the old cars I got because rings need a thin film for compression. After sitting a long time the oil would be all drained back into the sump. q

One thing about the Dyna - they're finnicky about grounds. If the back side of the Dyna distributor plate isn't shiny it can cause problems. If it's dull, shine it up.

[DaGootz]

image uploader

OUCH!!!

[bentombed]

Did you BUY that hot mess?  What does the rest of the bike look like?

haha - i feel that. yes, i bought it, it was very cheap in Australian dollars. when i got it home it was raining so i pushed it inside and started work.  I should have washed it...   the tank and all the other bits are in great shape, although i have not had it running the motor seems good,  and gearbox runs through the gears easy, the clutch works,  uni joints checked out ok.  The wiring and electrics are the issue. 

I'm leaning towards getting an M-unit and starting the whole process from scratch. i can't figure out how the PO got to where he did. 

[bentombed]

OUCH!!!

the photos make the bike look worse than it really is. except the wiring. that is worse than the photos show.

[bentombed]

I just went through this with a 76 Convert. It ran but an accident fried the voltage regulator. In replacing the regulator, I changed where it was mounted. During the process, I did a lot of sorting and routing cables and wires. Then when I tried to start it, it would pop, spit and sometimes backfire blowing off a carb. Not wanting to mess with the Dyna (figuring it was the problem) I ditched it and installed points. Same problem. Boy did I get frustrated on that one! Eventually days later, I discovered the coils had gotten their leads swapped, at which point it started and ran.

In your case, it's easy enough to check that it's timed correctly or at least close. Since you're getting a spark, all it needs is enough at the right time. No charging system or anything else is needed for it to run. Starter and power to the Dyna and coils is all that's needed. You might try starting fluid to get it started.

In the old days I'd squirt some oil into the cylinders of the old cars I got because rings need a thin film for compression. After sitting a long time the oil would be all drained back into the sump. q

One thing about the Dyna - they're finnicky about grounds. If the back side of the Dyna distributor plate isn't shiny it can cause problems. If it's dull, shine it up.

thank you! i will check the grounds and condition of the distributor plate next - i checked the coils and while they work, they are reading around 2ohm, i will replace them and check the timing while i am at it.

the plan has always been to get it to run while its filthy and then pull it down for restoration. thinking of building it into a t3 or 1000s replica.