fun with coils

What kind of multimeter do you have?? Some of the cheaper ones read zero for two different things. 1) when there is no resistance, and 2) when the resistance is really high and cam't be measured. On an expensive dvom number 2 would be O.L. or Out of limits meaning open. Most DVOM's show very low resistance even when the 2 leads are touched together, around .1 ohm. So even then it shouldn't be zero. So even if your points are shorting you should have a small amount of resistance. If your plugs are gapping 7mm with a strong blue spark then your ignition is fine. With the exception of a timing problem. Make sure that the points have exactly the same gap and then retime the ignition. Remember .001" difference in point gap means a difference of 3 degrees in the timing.

it's a craftsman mulitmeter, so I guess that would probably make it low or middle of the road quality. I will put it on a lower resistance range and see what happens when I short it out...

I have borrowed a timing light from a friend, so we'll see what that reveals.

thanks for your help guys.

You do know, when you check points, you have to put a piece of paper as an insulator on the other set of points, right?

If not, the reading on one set will affect the other set. The two sets of points have two common nodes. One is the engine as ground, and the other is the wire which connects the two coils. It forms a loop.

The result is that when you check a set of points, and the other set is closed, you will never read higher than the combined resistance of the two coils. So if you are on a relatively high resistance scale, the open set of points will appear shorted.

not trying to be a dick, but a dyna is a hell of a lot easier....set it and forget it.....i remember years ago getting points for my 78 gs1000 and the local dealership blew the dust off an electronic ignition and gave me half off cause points werent in stock.....i bought it and never looked back or had a problem.....

I always use a test light for setting my points. To me it is the easiest way to do it. I do agree on the electronic ignition being set it and forget it, but I still have a bike that runs on points so I still go through the motions of a point system. When points are set right the bike will scream until they wear a little then there you are again setting the points.

Dyna systems are not always set and forget.
I had one go bad on me after a some years.
I was just warming the bike up and smoke atarted coming from under the cover.
Open the cover and saw one side arced or something. One pick up was all melted.
I guess when I tossed it I soon forgot about it.
Maybe I should have kept it and tried to repair it, but the bike was going away for a long term storage of close to 10 years.