Ignition - or lack of!

[Lobo]

.... further thoughts. Disconnect the 2 coils (ie the 2 BLACK / WHITES from the Y connector in the previous pic) and see how your battery voltage behaves at IGN ON. (tho’ this ought to be the same as setting the KILL switch to OFF)

[Oggers]

Lobo

Again, many thanks. However, since discussing last, I have charged the battery - to 12.6V, tried it again and it started first kick!

Sounds fine enough, so I presume coils are OK?

Does not explain why the battery discharged so rapidly though, nor the "flash" at the points. Just to confirm, what do you mean by the fibre washers and floating switch ref points insulation. It's a good point and I think worth checking out

[JezzaPeach]

This may not help but when I fitted new points I carelessly re-fitted the (new) condenser tag to the wrong side of the points connection bit so effectively it was just earthed. I realised it needed to be with the coil connection tag within the insulating washer arrangement.

[Lobo]

... glad to hear all ok... the easy answers are the best.

When open, the moving side of the points MUST always be electrically isolated from the fixed / grounded side, and this is achieved by specifically placed fibre washers / inserts - depending on the design.

Cheers.

[Oggers]

Lobo- Thanks again that is good to know. I have since resorted to my old method of dynamic timing - which is adjust revs to @3000, and move 1.4 contact breaker base plate cw/acw until highest revs obtained. Repeat for 2.3 base plate. I think it will it will suffice until I decide to buy a strobe...