WASTED SPARK MOTORCYCLES
Authentic Preseverations, Restorations & Rebuilds

About 1680, Issac Newton correctly described motion along a curve and dispelled the erroneous idea, held since Aristotle, that revolving objects are thrown radially outward by a "center-fleeing" centrifugal force.

Acoustic (sound) waves are compression waves consisting of alternate series of condensations and rarefactions (expansions). Meaning, the particles of the sustaining medium; a fluid, vibrate parallel (along the axis) to wave propagation. The vibration is due to a disturbance. ...

"Tight's tight, too tight's broke." A saying that's probably been around since beginners held a half-inch driver. Seriously, have you ever wondered about how tight you should snug that nut? Of course, you could look in the manual which usually (but not always) cites torques....

A motorcycle, being a single-track vehicle, is not vertically balanced and only remains stable at low speeds due to rider input on the handlebars, and at higher speeds by the gyroscopic effect of both wheels--especially the front wheel. Whenever the wheels stop rolling for more than half of a second, the motorcycle will suddenly become unstable....

While the following discussion of "wasted spark" assumes prior knowledge of electromagentic induction and battery-coil-point ignition, the reader should keep in mind that: (1) both electric and magnetic field strength are measured in lines of force per square inch which is termed flux (2)...

The ignition timing of the four stroke, V-twin outlined below has one set of contact points, one capacitor (condenser), and a pair of spark plugs firing from a single coil each time the points open. The included angle between the cylinders is 45 degrees; common to Harley-Davidson, but would apply to 42, 47.5, 50, 55, 60, 72, or 90 degree twins delivering a "wasted spark"....

1. Torque cylinder head
2. Check & Adjust valve clearances
3. Check & Adjust points--replace parts if necessary
4. Check & adjust ignition timing--static and dynamic
5. Compression Test
6. ...

The drag acting on a motorcycle and rider is produced by two different mechanisms: pressure changes and skin friction. The latter is caused by the layer of air very close to moving surfaces--the so-called boundary layer. The boundary layer and its behavior is controlled by its viscosity....

Almost any two different solid conductors, the electrodes, immersed in a variety of active solutions, known as electrolytes, function more or less as a battery. Chemical energy in the interactive bonds is converted to electrical potential energy as the solution, and one or both of the electrodes undergo an oxidation- reduction reaction....

Note: if possible, prior to winterizing thoroughly tune the engine--see attach sheet

1. Put the correct volume of fuel stabilizer in tank
2. Take the bike for short ride to warm the oil
3. Change the oil and filter(s)--some bikes have a additional sump filter.
4. ....