TOPIC:

AS I delve further into the mind of the PO (a scary place, let me tell ya), I have found that one of the coils is wrapped in electrical tape.

Now, My question is two fold: 1.) Why would someone do this? and 2.) Should I unwrap it? I mean, if it is going to work, then there is no real reason to mess with it. But at the same time, it makes me a little nervous wondering why this coil is mumified in PCV.

Just looking for opinions. (with any luck, I should have it running tonight for the first time in several years.)

Post edited by: KB02, at: 2006/04/15 09:14

I'm no expert but I'd be willing to bet the case of the coil may be cracked. It's wrapped in tape to prevent it from arching to the frame and to keep moisture out. Ride safe neighbor.

Yup...what HE said.
Take the tape off and see what's going on in there.If it IS cracked,and it's a SMALL crack...You can silicone it,or (for peace of mind)...just replace it...don't mess around,because it WILL...bite You in the butt when You least expect it.I'm sure that a Member has a spare coil They'd be willing to sell cheap?...

don't mess around,because it WILL...bite You in the butt when You least expect it

Murphy's Law. Likely happen when you have to be somewhere important, or maybe on that nice Sunday cruise on a twisty backroad far from home, maybe when you told the wife you will, for sure, honest, be back by 4:00! Food for thought.

I wrap numerous coils of duct tape around my water bottle when I'm hiking around the boondocks just so's I'll have some if I need it...tape that is...well, and water too I guess.
A good bet this wasn't the premise the PO was operating under!

I know a few people that will wrap their coil(s) (bike or older car) with electrical tape or friction tape (friction tape is better, it withstands higher voltage)
as preventative maintenance. Theres really nothing wrong with wrapping a slightly cracked coil with appropriate tape, although pushing some silicone into the crack then wrapping it would be better..if it fails on you, take 5 seconds to re-wrap it..you DO carry electrical tape on your bike somwhere don't you?

well, with my latest attempt to start th bike and having no spark, I might be checking a few things out... including unwrapping the coil. I'll let you all know what I find.

neilage66 wrote:

I wrap numerous coils of duct tape around my water bottle when I'm hiking around the boondocks just so's I'll have some if I need it...tape that is...well, and water too I guess.
A good bet this wasn't the premise the PO was operating under!

One day my buddies and I were messing with different color electrical tape to make racing stripes. we did up the bikes and one or two helmets. Sure enough, one of our bikes had a major electrical problem way out in the boonies, but we had plenty of tape to fix it. The racing stripes saved the day more than once since then.

After reading and participating in this thread I seriously think I will find a place on my bike for numerous wraps of electical tape...or maybe even a whole roll.
Lou, I'm thinking about the stripe idea too!

I usually carry a roll in my pocket.

Everyone called mine the Ronald Mcdonald bike!

Coils need to be air cooled as they heat during operation. Kawasaki and most bike manufacturers locate coils in the precise spot where they will cool the least... up under your tank. The heat not only affects the insulation on the windings but can crack the coils themselves. Once cracked, if the insulation on the windings is OK, the coils works fine UNTIL there is some moisture involved... the moisture will cause sporadic shorting. I am sure this is what happened to the coil in question. I use JB Weld to fix these cracks. I have tried silicon and also liquid nitrile rubber and neither works very effectively over the long haul. If you have a spark problem, don't bother unwrap the coil but instead check the primary and secondary windings impedence as you more likely are having heat related insulation failure there. The only way I would remove the gummed up electrical tape would be to use JB Weld to fix any cracks... Sounds like you might want to save for some new coils.