How To Start A Motorcycle With A Screwdriver? The 128 Correct Answer

For motorcyclists, an accident is the worst thing that can happen while riding. The second worst is theft. Thousands of motorcycles are stolen every year and for die-hard riders who invest the money, time and effort into this exciting lifestyle, replacing their motorcycle can cost thousands of dollars.

when does it happen

Most motorcycle thefts occur during the warmer months when motorcycles are out on the open road. June, July and August are the best months to watch out for theft and take the necessary precautions to avoid it. The months with the fewest motorcycle thefts are unsurprisingly December, February and January. When it comes to getting stolen bikes back to their owners the success rate is around 50/50 but this can also depend on how your bike was stolen.

how does it happen

Sometimes it’s as simple as walking up to a bike, disabling the anti-theft devices and locks, starting the engine and off you go. It only takes one person. Motorcycle theft can happen anywhere, but those looking to steal a motorcycle will find a situation that will make it easy. When it could take just seconds to snag your bike while attracting little attention, you’re a prime target. If someone nearby notices the bike and assumes it belongs to the thief, they won’t look for distinguishing features. “Grab and Go” is a typical method for motorcycle theft. This requires at least two offenders, pull up in a van or other large vehicle, jump out, load your bike, and drive away. These perpetrators are more likely to be caught. Still, no one wants that to happen. A burglary is between these two types of theft. If you store your bike in a garage or shed, without proper security measures, break-ins can occur and the thieves can either ride the bike away or load it into their transport vehicle.

Any of these situations can occur without preventive measures. Read on to find out how to stop thieves from stealing your motorcycle.

How to prevent theft

There are many precautions you can take to improve the safety of your motorcycle, but locking it is one of the most important. Lock your bike every time you go away. Even with motorcycle insurance, you may not be able to get your bike back after it’s stolen, especially if preventative measures aren’t in place.

When locking your bike it is best not to do so through a wheel as it is easy to remove. It’s safer to lock your bike through the frame or in the gap between the engine block and the down tubes. Lock the chain tight – there shouldn’t be much play between the bike and the ground. If you can’t do this, you’ll need a shorter chain. A loose chain is much more vulnerable to sledgehammer attacks and bolt cutters.

If possible, park your motorcycle in a well-lit area and add an audible alarm that makes noise when someone tries to steal it. Being conspicuous is key – make sure your bike is easy to spot on and off the road. If there’s a decoration or feature on your bike that sets it apart, people are more likely to notice, giving a higher chance of getting your bike back if it’s stolen.

Depending on where you park your motorcycle overnight, you may want to consider installing a motion-activated headlight and alarm system. If you store your bike in a garage, park it as far from the door as possible. You can also park your car in front of your bike to make it difficult for someone to get it out. If possible, lock your bike in the garage as well. Parking on the street is riskier, so be sure to use a cover that will not be noticeable and will completely hide your bike if you do so.

The last precaution to prevent motorcycle theft is to get a solid insurance policy for your bike. Get the mandatory protection you need while making sure you’re covered should a theft do occur. With motorcycle thefts so common, it’s best to be prepared. Check out Armor Insurance’s motorcycle insurance page to learn how best to protect your motorcycle this summer.

This spring we’re taking you through a complete summer insurance guide via the Armor blog. Stay tuned for our latest entries on how to have the best and safest summer with Armor Insurance!

What if you accidentally lose your motorcycle key or plan to buy an old motorcycle that doesn’t come with a key? In any case, you must find a solution to replace the lost motorcycle key. There are few methods or solutions to replace your new key with some costing very less for some that require a lot of patience and a hefty amount.

Use your motorcycle’s key code

When buying a new motorcycle, the key comes with a code from the manufacturer. The code is either printed on the key itself or on the metal tab attached to the original key. In any case, you can check the code and give this code number to the dealer to have the key replaced. You don’t have to take the motorcycle with you or change the lock. It just takes a little patience for the dealer to deliver the new key.

Using the motorcycle’s ignition cylinder code

Old motorcycles are often sold without keys. If so, you don’t have to worry about being able to access the ignition cylinder code. This cylinder code can be shared with the locksmith to create a key to match the motorcycle. The cylinder code is roughly a four digit code, often found on the left side of the cylinder. The ignition cylinder is usually located between the speedometer and handlebar tachometer. There is a chance to find the cylinder code on the back seat or the gas tank as many motorcycles have the same key, so the same cylinder code. Once you have the cylinder code, take it to the key manufacturer who has a matching table or software and look up the cylinder code.

Take the ignition cylinder to the locksmith if the code is illegible

There may be times when the code on the ignition cylinder is illegible or you cannot find the code. In such a case, the next option is to unhook the ignition cylinder and take it to a locksmith. The ignition cylinder has a wire harness and two screws to hold the cylinder in place that can be easily unhooked. On some bikes like Harley-Davidson there are tiny screws to hold the wire that can be removed with a screwdriver. The locksmith then inserts a blank key into the lock to turn the pin. He/she gets an idea of ​​where the cuts and fills are required to make the appropriate key to fit the motorcycle.

Replacing the ignition cylinder and getting a new key

Often the only solution left is to completely replace the ignition cylinder. In such a case, as mentioned earlier, you can simply unhook the ignition cylinder and take it to the local dealer. The dealer gets the ignition cylinder specially made by the manufacturer. It may take a few days for the part to arrive.

High performance bike brands like Ducati have some bikes that come with a master key that reprograms the ECU. If you lose the key, you will have to pay a large amount for key replacement.

Motorcycling in warm temperatures is a comfortable experience and that’s what motorcycles were basically made for. However, if you live in a climate with severe winters, this can seriously affect the enjoyment you can have with your motorcycle for a few months.

You may be stuck in a situation where you need to start your motorcycle in freezing temperatures. Whatever the reason, you might be quite frustrated because some bikes are stubborn and won’t start in these freezing temperatures.

So how do you start a motorcycle in freezing temperatures? If you must start your motorcycle in freezing temperatures, make sure the battery is charged and the choke is on. Use an electric heater and place it next to the engine. After a few minutes, the engine will be much easier to start because the oil inside has warmed up.

Starting a motorcycle in freezing temperatures can be difficult, but it is certainly possible if done right. I have lived in places with extremely harsh winters and have found this method to be the best. There’s a lot more to consider for starting your motorcycle in the cold and additional steps should be taken to ensure you don’t damage your bike.

How to start your motorcycle in sub-zero temperatures

Many people wonder why some try to start their motorcycle in freezing temperatures. For most, it’s usually not because you’re keen on taking it out for a pleasure ride, rather you may have some other reason to start it up. Such reasons can be routine winter starts or you want to warm it up for a potential buyer.

Whatever the reason you need to start your motorcycle in sub-zero temperatures, you can find yourself in the frustrating situation of not being able to start it at all. Temperatures below freezing are not only tough on people and animals, similar temperatures are tough on machines too.

The first thing to check is the battery life. If you have a dead battery, your motorcycle will not start, no matter what the outside temperature. Use a multimeter to determine the voltage from the battery. To start a motorcycle you need at least 12.2 volts or a battery charge of 50%. You can read my article by clicking here to learn more about motorcycle battery life.

If you have noticed that the battery is low, you may need to charge it for at least a few hours until it is in a condition where you can start the motorcycle. Temperatures below freezing are particularly harsh on motorcycle batteries and can quickly drain them.

The second thing to focus on when attempting to start your motorcycle in freezing temperatures is engaging the choke. This may seem like a no-brainer, but many people actually forget that. During winter storage, people turn off the choke completely to avoid gas leaks, which often causes them to forget they did this when starting the bike.

The third thing that can greatly increase your chances of getting your motorcycle to start in freezing temperatures is warming up the engine. This might seem difficult if you can even get the motor to spin, but fortunately there are alternative ways.

The engine becomes sluggish after prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures, just as the common man would react to cold. Use a heat source such as B. an electric heater to heat the engine manually. This heats the metal and aluminum on the engine and the oil and other fluids inside, making the starting process much easier.

Always supervise your engine and be present when you warm it up with a heater. Do not bring the heater too close and make sure the heat source is not touching anything potentially flammable.

What happens to your motorcycle in sub-zero temperatures

Although your motorcycle may look good on the outside in sub-zero temperatures, there’s actually a lot more going on inside that we can’t see or notice.

Wires and cables become stiff and less flexible. Unfortunately, this makes them more prone to breakage if not handled properly. Any rubber coverings such as fork covers can also become stiff and tear easily if handled roughly.

If your motorcycle has a chain, the chain will also become stiff and less flexible and may break if not properly lubricated. It’s important to check the condition of your chain before heading out in the winter.

Motorcycle batteries also slowly lose their voltage over time in temperatures below freezing. There are a few reasons for this. The first is that most people don’t use their motorcycle that much during the winter months and therefore don’t utilize the capacity of the battery. This also causes a phenomenon called parasitic discharge, which means poorly grounded wires slowly drain the battery.

A motorcycle battery also loses capacity faster in sub-zero temperatures than in normal temperatures. The cold prevents the battery from delivering its full performance.

A motorcycle engine requires more power to start in freezing temperatures because of the thickened oil, and a cold battery sometimes cannot deliver the amperage needed to start the engine. If you are curious whether or not a motorcycle battery can freeze, read my article here.

The oil in the engine thickens due to the extremely cold temperatures. The colder it gets, the thicker the oil becomes, causing it to lose its viscosity. A motorcycle engine can have trouble circulating thick oil, which can cause starting problems.

How to maintain your motorcycle for an easier winter start

If you never want to find yourself in this situation again, there are a few steps you can take to avoid potential problems starting your motorcycle in freezing temperatures.

The first thing you want to use is a battery tender. This is something you can keep connected to your motorcycle battery at all times. It detects when the battery is losing voltage, automatically starts charging and stops charging when the battery is fully charged. This will extend the life of your battery and potentially prevent many problems starting your motorcycle in the future.

Keep the gas tank full to prevent unwanted moisture from getting inside. Add a stabilizer to the gas to prevent old gas from clogging the carburetor. Try to use a low viscosity oil during the winter months. Synthetic oil is instrumental in maintaining lubrication in the motorcycle engine and can make starting the engine less difficult in freezing temperatures.

Also, watch your tires. Starting your motorcycle will not get you very far if your tires are in bad shape. Make sure each tire is fully inflated to the specifications listed on the tire. You can even add some extra air as cold temperatures tend to deflate the tires a bit.

For more information on storing your motorcycle long term, check out my helpful guide here.

Can you ride a motorcycle in winter?

If you need to start your motorcycle in sub-zero temperatures, the most common reason may be to get out and ride it. But many wonder if it is a safe activity to ride a motorcycle in such activities.

It is not recommended to ride a motorcycle in freezing temperatures (see my article here for more details). Ice forms at these temperatures and motorcycles are more susceptible to ice as they are smaller vehicles. If you absolutely must ride in freezing temperatures, make sure you have the right gear.

Motorcycles were made to ride on a road unencumbered by snow or ice. Dirt bikes are capable of handling such conditions, but motorcycles and dirt bikes are not the same. Motorcycles have two wheels, giving you less traction when riding on ice or snow. Motorcycles offer less protection if you slip on these elements.

In winter, some people simply have no choice but to ride a motorcycle. If you get into this scenario, there are a few safety precautions you should keep in mind. Always drive slowly and avoid busy roads. If you must drive on the freeway, stay either on the extreme right or extreme left so you only have to worry about one lane of cars next to you.

related questions

Can I store my motorbike at my home in winter? It is entirely possible to store your motorcycle in your home for the winter. Lots of people do this and it’s actually ideal for your motorcycle as it’s in a temperature controlled environment. Make sure you have the space and equipment for it. I explain it in more detail, which you can find by clicking here.

Can you store tires outside in winter? Tires should not be stored outside during the winter months. Tires should always be stored indoors so they are not constantly exposed to the sun and water. They should always stay dry.

Give your bike a jump start

Tip #240 from the pages of the Total Motorcycling Manual

Move a motorcycle without starting it

By Walter F Kern

How do I move a motorcycle?

This feature contains descriptions and images of the steps required to move a motorcycle. I’m not talking about motorcycle shipping. I’m talking about simply moving a motorcycle a short distance. An example shown here is where the rider of a bicycle has parked it in the garage amidst sizable adjacent boxes, crates, ladders and other accumulated items that might be contained in a garage. Let’s say the driver is out of town or even serves in the armed forces and the spouse needs to move the motorcycle to complete a repair on the house. The tab is unavailable. The work must be done. What should the spouse do?

This article will give you a 10 step procedure to move a motorcycle without having to start it.

Some owners secure their machines with padlocks on the wheels.

Some even attach them to anchor points with chains. If you cannot disable these locks, consult a locksmith before proceeding.

Always remember that a motorcycle is a machine that responds quickly to human commands with hands or feet. You should learn basic operations slowly and confidently. This is best left to the experts who teach you in the Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) courses. The steps given here are done at your own risk. There is always a possibility that the motorcycle will fall over or that you will lose control of it.

So let’s go through the steps to move this motorcycle.

Previous | Next > Motorcycle in a mess © Walter Kern

Click image for Walter F. Kerns

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More about motorcycles

Spread the word

We’re all familiar with the worrying motorcycle safety statistics: According to Motorcycle News, over 45,000 motorcycle and moped thefts were reported in London alone from 2015 to 2018. However, only 1,200 people have ever been charged with a crime. In other words, over 31,000 motorcycle theft investigations have been completed without identifying any suspects. Over 800 bikes are stolen in London every month, totaling over 10,000 bikes stolen annually and more than 40% of them are never recovered.

The numbers aren’t pretty, and while the Metropolitan Police have implemented new strategies to combat motorcycle theft, it’s still largely up to bike owners themselves to keep their bikes safe. However, before you head to eBay or Amazon to buy disc locks, make sure you know what makes a motorcycle an easy target. Once you understand why stealing a motorcycle is so easy, you can protect it as best you can by using multiple tools, strategies, and technologies.

With motorbike theft becoming a widespread epidemic not only in London but throughout the UK, it is not surprising that a whole new industry of motorbike security devices is developing around it. On the one hand, that’s good news: the more options you have to keep your bike secure, the better your chances of avoiding theft. On the other hand, it can be a bit overwhelming when you have to choose from hundreds of different motorcycle safety products and new technologies. By deciphering how thieves think and work, what bikes they target and why it’s so easy to steal an unprotected bike, you can make informed decisions and hopefully prevent bike theft.

motorcycle design

When thinking about a new branded motorcycle, no one likes to think about the possibility of a bike being stolen – certainly not the bike manufacturers. What motorcycle designers and engineers care about is customer satisfaction, and the key factors in building a high-performance motorcycle model are ergonomics, weight, fuel economy and aesthetics. When manufacturing motorcycles, safety is often the last priority. Steering locks, alarm systems and key fobs are, in most cases, the best a motorcycle manufacturer can do. The rest is up to you.

Also, motorcycles are just physically easier to steal than cars. Two wheels are easier to move than four; No need to smash windows or invent complicated lock picks. If your bike is only protected by a steering lock, it can be stolen in seconds:

It’s just as easy to disable or bypass the electronic system, start a bike with a duplicate key, or simply turn it off. Bikes can also be lifted off the ground and loaded into vans before you can say “alert,” police sources said. The fact is, motorcycles are relatively light, harder to lock and, due to their design, more prone to theft.

What does that mean for you? Use strong disc locks on both wheels, chain your bike to something solid, use locks with built-in alarm systems, and throw a cover over the bike to make it extra difficult to spot and target. The more security precautions you take, the less attractive your motorcycle will be to thieves.

legal consequences

Even when motorcycle thieves are caught and brought to justice, the legal ramifications are rarely enough to deter others from stealing. In the UK, bike thieves often get away with a warning slap on the wrist; Not surprisingly, they continue to offend. As seen in the case of the Bristol motorcycling gang, bike thieves often roam free even when caught red-handed. Community service, rehabilitation programs and very light prison sentences, often suspended, seem to be the most common court decisions when it comes to bicycle theft, often because the perpetrators are young or in their teens. Even more shocking, only 2.6% of all reported motorcycle thefts in London between January 2015 and October 2018 resulted in a conviction. The lack of serious consequences and extremely low conviction rates do not deter thieves from re-offending and prevent newcomers from entering the motorcycle theft “career”.

What does that mean for you? Since the police rarely guarantee that the bike will be recovered and the thieves face no severe consequences, you should insure your motorcycle against theft. These premiums may not be among the cheapest, but peace of mind is worth more. While insurance won’t prevent your bike from being stolen, it will help if the worst happens.

Fast wins

Stealing a motorcycle means the criminals can disassemble it for parts and make a quick buck. Stolen motorcycles are rarely sold for fear of discovery and recovery. In most cases, stolen bikes are disassembled, their identity tags erased, and the parts quickly sold on various online sites or through second-hand bike repair shops and shops. Whilst there is organized crime and some motorcycles stolen in the UK are shipped to South East Europe or North Africa, in most cases a stolen motorcycle is more likely to be hacked up for parts. This makes motorcycles and scooters a prime target for thieves and makes it all the more difficult for police to track down stolen bikes.

What does that mean for you? To help the police track your bike even after it’s been disassembled for parts, mark it in a unique way. Markings not only on the bike frame but also on the rims, dampers, levers and handlebars allow the police to track down the thieves even after your bike has been dismantled.

Most targeted bikes

According to police statistics (and confessions from former motorcycle thieves), certain makes and models of motorcycles are more likely to be targeted. The simple principle of supply and demand drives thieves’ choices: the most common target bikes are those that are most common in a given city or area. This explains why moped theft is so rampant in London – scooters are extremely popular modes of transportation in a crowded city.

Another popular category of bikes among motorcycle thieves are supersports. These bikes are fairly popular across the UK making them generally the easiest to find and supersport bike parts are the easiest to sell. Another factor driving parts demand is the fact that supersports are the most likely to crash, fueling the need for parts.

Dirt bikes are also among the most desirable destinations. Because many dirt bikes don’t require registration, it’s much easier to break them down into pieces or move them whole. Even YouTube star, racer and traveler Lyndon Poskitt had his dirt bikes stolen in broad daylight:

Start from 9:20 am

The stolen motorcycles were never found.

What does that mean for you? If you love sports bikes, you don’t have to do without them for fear of theft. You just have to pay extra attention to the safety of your motorcycle. Invest in sturdy chains, locks, alarm systems and a GPS tracker and make sure your bike is always safely parked in a garage or shed.

lack of resources

The Metropolitan Police in London, as well as several other police forces across the country, have all made serious efforts to get motorcycle theft under control. However, the police do not have enough resources to ensure the safety of all two-wheelers, nor do they have enough officers to constantly patrol the streets. In addition, other crimes usually have priority over motorcycle thefts, which means that stolen bicycles often disappear without a trace.

Even when thieves are caught on the spot, police chases don’t always yield results. Thieves are aware of some loopholes in the law. For example, thieves fleeing on bicycles or scooters will intentionally remove their helmets, and the law prohibits police from pursuing them for fear of fatal injury in the event of an accident.

What does that mean for you? The police will do everything they can to help you if your motorcycle has been stolen, but make sure you have done your best to protect it and trace it in the event of theft. Parking your motorcycle under security cameras is also helpful in the event of a theft as the footage can help the police identify the thieves.

Gone in sixty seconds

Another factor that makes a motorcycle an easy target is the length of time it can be stolen. According to police experts, the average time a thief is willing to steal a bike is 30 seconds. In some cases, thieves can risk it taking a minute and a half, but that’s still an incredibly short time. However, according to Bennetts Insurance, up to 43% of motorcycle owners do nothing to protect their motorcycles from theft.

Bike thieves don’t want to be caught, and the longer it takes them to steal a bike, the more they risk being seen and stopped. This is why it’s important to secure your motorcycle with multiple tools and gadgets: if it looks like your bike is going to take more than two minutes to be stolen, chances are the thieves won’t target it.

What does that mean for you? Take as many precautions as possible. It’s true that many motorcycle chains can be cut with bolt cutters and no disc lock is ever 100% impregnable. However, a combination of different safety measures buys your bike time, and that alone can often be enough.

predictability

Motorcycle thieves tend to spy on motorcycles. That is, they observe the bike they are targeting and learn about the everyday life of its owner. Most drivers, especially those who commute to work, typically leave their bikes in the same spots and often with nothing but a steering wheel lock. The same applies to drivers who do not have garages or sheds and park their bikes in front of them. In either case, being able to predict where and for how long the motorcycle will be can help make your motorcycle an easy target for thieves.

What does that mean for you? If you commute to work, see if you can switch multiple parking spots every once in a while. Also, see if you can park in a friend’s or colleague’s garage nearby, or maybe rent a self-storage unit. Always cover your bike when storing it in a public place to make it more difficult to identify the model and make.

The consequences

While motorcycle thefts are usually reported to the police as soon as the owner realizes the bike is gone, recovery rates are not very promising. If the stolen motorcycle has been dismantled into parts, tracing it becomes much more difficult. Most motorcycle trackers need to be wired to the bike, and thieves have long known this: One of the first things bike thieves check after stealing a motorcycle is the extra wiring under the seat and tank. Finally, the longer it takes to locate your motorcycle, the more likely it is that the motorcycle will be found scrapped.

What does that mean for you? GPS trackers are among the best tools for getting your bike back, even after it’s been stolen. There are several great options to choose from. However, a Monimoto tracker has the benefit of independent batteries, meaning it’s decidedly harder to detect and defuse. You can hide the tracker anywhere on the bike and even if the thieves disconnect the battery, the tracker will not be affected and will remain active. See how Monimoto has already helped recover stolen bikes much faster.

Motorcycle safety is a serious issue in London and across the UK. However, that doesn’t mean the situation is hopeless: you can prevent your motorcycle from being stolen as long as you understand why it’s an easy target and take as many security measures as possible. Educate yourself, stay up to date and make sure your bike is safe at home and when travelling. Monimoto is here to help if you have any questions about bike safety or tracking systems!

Wondering how YOU can protect your bike?

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From suspension systems to carburetors to alternators, there is a lot to know when it comes to working on motorcycles. Not only is it important to know these individual components, but also to understand how they all work together.

One of the most important systems in a motorcycle is its ignition system. In order for a motorcycle to run, its ignition system must function properly. When it fails, a variety of problems can arise, which is why the role of technicians who can diagnose these systems is so important.

What exactly are motorcycle ignition systems and how do they work? Read on to learn more about ignition system components and how they work together to provide the ignition spark engines need to function properly.

What is a motorcycle ignition system?

The main purpose of a motorcycle ignition system is to create the spark that ignites an air-fuel mixture in the motorcycle engine.

The spark must occur when the piston is near the top of the compression stroke for the compressed air-fuel mixture to combust properly and for the expanding gases to push the piston down the cylinder. The ignition system not only generates the high voltage needed to ignite the spark plug, it must send the spark at exactly the right time!

The ignition system is one of three separate but related electrical systems on a motorcycle. Also present is the starting system and the charging system. The starting system consists of the battery, ignition switch and starter motor. The charging system consists of a stator, rectifier/regulator and battery.

A short story

Both contacts and electronic ignition systems control spark delivery to an engine. Electronic ignition is an evolution from a mechanical to an electronic system. Before we go any further, let’s break down what points are and why they need to evolve.

Motorcycle ignition points

Spark points are a mechanical/analog method of controlling when the spark produced by the coil is sent to the cylinder. Points work great until they don’t anymore. Maintaining the system is critical to its proper functioning. Adjusting the gap, cleaning and filing the tips, and greasing are all required periodically, sometimes annually.

Dots are a mechanical switch. A rotating cam controls the opening and closing of the switch, which can be seen in the image below:

Image credit: Honda Twins

There are two sets of mechanical points in this picture. As the center shaft rotates at engine speed, the 90 degree rocker arms open and close the switch. This completes and breaks the circuit, resulting in a spark from the ignition coils.

Electronic ignition

Car and motorcycle manufacturers have switched to electronically controlled ignition for two main reasons: reliability and performance (especially at high rpm). While electronic ignition dates back to the 1960’s, its widespread adoption took place in the 1970’s.

There are three main types of electron ignition systems on modern motorcycles:

AC-CDI: Alternating Current, Capacitor Discharge Ignition DC-CDI: Direct Current, Capacitor Discharge Ignition DC-TPI: Direct Current, Transistorized Pointless Ignition

Regardless of the type of voltage, AC or DC, these systems fire the spark plug at precisely timed intervals to keep the motorcycle running. Additionally, these ignition systems have the ability to advance or retard spark timing based on engine demand.

CDI ignition system motorcycle

When it comes to ignition systems, you will often hear about what is known as a CDI box or capacitor discharge ignition box. Essentially, a CDI box controls a motorcycle’s ignition system by starting the ignition and combustion process. A voltage pulse from the motorcycle battery goes through the CDI box to ignite the spark plug.

In addition to the CDI box, the other components of modern ignition systems include:

battery

Kitchen sink

Spark plugs/spark plug cables

Switch

pickup coils or crank position sensors

Although these components are very reliable, they can fail and cause a motorcycle to stop running properly. An experienced technician can quickly and reliably test and diagnose ignition system components.

The two main goals of a motorcycle ignition system are:

Generation of the voltage needed to ignite the air-fuel mixture

Getting the spark into the engine at just the right time

How the ignition coil works on a motorcycle

If a motorcycle battery only makes 12 volts, and it takes 12-20,000 (or more) volts to bridge the spark plug gap and ignite the air/fuel mixture, how is that addressed?

Motorcycles use a coil to boost the battery’s voltage to the correct range. A motorcycle ignition coil is a transformer consisting of two separate coils of wire wrapped around a central pin.

The primary winding of the coil consists of a few turns of thicker wire. The secondary winding is made of much finer wire that is wound much more often. This two-winding system increases the voltage significantly up to the level required to fire the spark plug.

Mutual induction is the phenomenon where voltage in one wire induces voltage in another wire even when the wires are not connected. More importantly, mutual induction allows for a change in performance characteristics, e.g. B. a significant increase in voltage within the coil.

timing is everything

Even the highest voltage spark will not be effective if delivered to the engine at the wrong time. At best, an improperly timed engine suffers from poor performance, and at worst, an improperly timed engine is self-destructive.

The timing of modern motorcycle engines is computer controlled, using inputs such as:

engine speed

Throttle opening percentage

engine temperature

To complicate matters further, the exact timing to deliver a spark of optimal performance varies. Ignition timing is not a set and forget task. As the engine speed (RPM) increases, the spark plug must fire earlier in relation to the piston travel in the cylinder. “Advance” spark timing means to deliver the spark earlier; “Retarding” spark timing means delivering spark later.

Prior to electronic engine controls, older motorcycles used simple mechanical devices to advance or retard time based on engine demand.

While these basic systems worked, they were limited by their need for maintenance and their inability to meet increasingly stringent emissions requirements. Modern electronic ignition systems automatically adjust ignition timing to compensate for a range of engine demands.

Stick coils like the one shown below are an all-in-one unit that sits directly on top of each spark plug. This eliminates the need for the thick, high-voltage connector wires found in older designs.

Photo credit: JDK Motorcycle

Ignition System Events

The following picture shows components of the ignition system and their function:

Troubleshooting ignition systems

Where does a technician start when it comes to troubleshooting or diagnosing a motorcycle ignition system?

The first step in any diagnostic procedure is to start with a known good battery. A battery that illuminates the headlight is not guaranteed to have the voltage required to start and operate a vehicle. A technician can charge and test a battery before troubleshooting ignition system problems, or simply install a new, known-good battery.

Other common ignition system tests are:

Check pickup coil for continuity

Check pulser coil for voltage output

Checking fuses, switches and ground wires

Check the ignition coil resistance on both circuits

CDI Box: This can be difficult to troubleshoot. If everything else is fine, replacing a new CDI box can help identify the problem.

How does this apply to motorcycle technicians?

In addition to starting and charging systems, the components of the ignition system are critical to the safe and reliable operation of the motorcycle. Motorcycle ignition system problems can be intimidating to diagnose, especially when compared to mechanical faults that can be visible to the eye.

Technicians who know and master this area are in demand. Taking the time to gain experience and develop the skills to troubleshoot and repair ignition system problems can be a huge asset later in your career.

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The Motorcycle Mechanic Institute’s 42-week motorcycle technician training program teaches you the fundamentals of motorcycles, ATVs, side-by-sides and personal watercraft to prepare you for a career as a motorcycle technician.1 To learn more, visit our program page and challenge View information to speak to an admissions officer today.