Stumble & Misfire Cali II ?

[Peter949]

My 84 California II has developed a stumble and misfire under load at about 4000 RPM. However not always ... occasionally it runs fine.    I have changed the points and condenser, new NGK spark plug caps, new high tension leads, new NGK BP6ES plugs, cleaned the carbs, and the air cleaner is good.  I also checked the fuel lines and strainer, and adjusted the valves.

If anyone can think of something I have missed, please send any suggestions.  Hopefully it is not a weak ignition coil ?

[marcmorrison]

Just a guess....ignition coil (no way to reliably bench test one.....maybe someone has a known good one they would let you try???)

[guzzisteve]

I replaced my ignition switch over 10yrs ago and complete wiring loom w/L & R switches 4yrs ago.  Stock the kill switch is directly connected to your coils, on one w/jumper to the other.

[yogidozer]

try looking at your coil in the dark when running. a cracked coil tower isn't always easy to spot. you might see a spark jump.
otherwise check the kill switch as guzzisteve replied

[bigbikerrick]

My Cal II did that same thing, nearly drove me nuts, since it was intermittent. I got to where I lost trust in the bike . After much troubleshooting, it did turn out to be the coils. Same thing happened on my Le mans, I installed black dyna coils, and problem solved. I have since also installed a dyna III ignition, and have  had no regrets for a couple of years. That dual point dizzy in the Cal II was a PITA to adjust/time correctly. Cal IIs are fantastic bikes, in many aspects.
Good luck with yours,
Rick

[Peter949]

Thank you everyone for the great suggestions.      I did fix the problem at last by starting up the bike in the dark garage and looking for sparks. With the points cap off and the engine running, there was an excessive amount of blue sparks at the points contacts.     I originally used new condensers and points, but the condenser was no good!!  I put the old condensers back in ... no blue sparks when running, and on the road the bike now runs great.

Lessons Learned:  new condensers can be no good at all, and the very old Italian condensers are here to stay!

Peter

[yogidozer]

Thank you everyone for the great suggestions.      I did fix the problem at last by starting up the bike in the dark garage and looking for sparks. With the points cap off and the engine running, there was an excessive amount of blue sparks at the points contacts.     I originally used new condensers and points, but the condenser was no good!!  I put the old condensers back in ... no blue sparks when running, and on the road the bike now runs great.

Lessons Learned:  new condensers can be no good at all, and the very old Italian condesers are here to stay!

Peter

welcome to the dark side 

[chuck peterson]

Ain't that a bitch?....really, you do what you think is right with preventative measures and it bites you...new condenser and not working?

I was going to suggest a coil problem...mine worked fine at home and then misfired after heating up. stock coils retrieved from a derelict carcass worked fine

[Chuck in Indiana]

new condenser and not working?

That's certainly not unheard of..

[yogidozer]

Ain't that a bitch?....really, you do what you think is right with preventative measures and it bites you...new condenser and not working?

I was going to suggest a coil problem...mine worked fine at home and then misfired after heating up. stock coils retrieved from a derelict carcass worked fine

Condenser Chuck, you should know that!