Cant get this damn thing running

[CivilPenny]

Originally 2 out of 4 cylinders were running. Replaced ignition coil, and only 3/4 ran. Diagnosed the coils and they were fine, but the spark plug ignition caps were bad. Went through and replaced the caps. Tested them with a multi meter before putting them on and everything checked out. Hooked everything back up to the bike, and now it wont even turn over?? Ive been stuck on this and am losing patience..about to take it into a shop to have it looked at. Can anybody help me out here? Thank you 1978 Honda CB750k

 

[amc49]

You gotta have a known good fully charged battery in place before you can ever hope to sort ignition issues out......................the 'won't even turn over' thing. Patience with what? The machine is only doing what they all do when they don't get the thing they need to run correctly.

 

[madmtnmotors]

Most "shops" will only empty your wallet and are ill equipped to deal with older bikes. As amc said, you have to have a fully charged battery to begin with. The alternators on these old bikes use an electromagnet (field coil) that requires 12v to function (newer bikes use a permanent magnet). Without a charged battery the alternator will not generate any power and will leave you with no spark. These are some of the simplest machines on the planet and most of the time issues will be either properly timed spark or properly metered fuel. Spark is the easiest and often the most likely culprit, so bust out the manual, do the 3000 mile tune up, check the static timing, charge the battery, and go from there.