Easy Rider and Chopperguy

When I parked TAZ, the 1973 Ironhead ('old Harley' to the uninitiated), he ran. I took the cover off of him this spring, and he didn't. I hate that. The old battery wasn't taking a charge, so I bought a new one and charged it up. Nope, that didn't work. Oh, I forgot to polarize the generator after having the battery disconnected for an extended period. Nope, not that either. I'm getting gas, but I'm not getting spark. Well, let's check the coils. Input resistence is low at 3 ohms instead of 4.5 to 5 ohms. Maybe. No continuity between the inputs and the high voltage outputs. Everything is normal there. Resistence between the two high voltage outputs should be 11,000 ohms. This thing is reading 20 ohms. WTF? But I'm using a crappy little radio shack ohm meter. Let's get out the back-up one.

Yes, I'm one of those guys who not only has one of those esoteric devices for taking all manner of electrical readings but actually has a back-up one. I don't normally keep a battery in it because I generally don't need to use it. I hunt down a battery, do a quick test, yep, it's all good. Let's try those readings again. My back-up model has one of those nifty digital displays. It takes several readings over a few seconds, numbers changing dramatically, and then gives you an idea of 'normal' if the situation is considered in a normal range. First test, inputs, 2.83 ohms. Ouch. Second test, input to output, no continuity. As it should be. Finally the high voltage outputs, 18.437 ohms when it should be 11k. Yeah, I think I found the problem. Time to order up a new ignition coil.