2007 Bonneville intermittent spark

[larry kahn]

Neighbor's 2007 Triumph Bonny starts for days in a row then cranks fine but no spark for a few days. Then starts again, no rhyme or reason. Wire connections clean, stored inside, makes no sense at all. Three components associated for spark are the crank sensor, coils and main brain. Anyone had this scenario? We're a long way from any dealers and the local indie shop not much help. Want to start replacing the three components and wondering which to do first or any other ideas. Presuming the brain is least likely since all else is fine, but not 100% betting on that.

[Busy Little Shop]

Before throwing parts at the problem first trouble shoot the kill switch and all the
other relays and side stand switches and ignition that are designed to interrupt spark...

[larry kahn]

Originally Posted by Busy Little Shop

Before throwing parts at the problem first trouble shoot the kill switch and all the
other relays and side stand switches that are designed to interrupt spark...

Good call, will check those things tomorrow.

[Busy Little Shop]

Originally Posted by larry kahn

Good call, will check those things tomorrow.

Down load an official shop manual PDF if you don't already have one...

[CDONA]

Stock igniter had a tendency to get crushed from the seat.
My kickstand safety switch would vibrate loose. When on the stand it would idle fine but would not take throttle and die.
Above idle vibration would allow the switch to move enough to break connection, and kill it.
Pick it up off the ground, stand down, no issues ran fine.

There still has to be someone that knows Triumph in Santa Maria

[larry kahn]

Thanks, and Santa Maria is Triumphless far as I can tell. It will be one of these basic things, just need to track it down when it's not sparking. Belongs to my Luddite neighbor who lamented at one point that the electrics were not Lucas. I told him be careful what you wish for.

[islemann]

Most common fault is the clutch switch at the handlebar. Second is the side-stand switch. Third is loose wiring between the battery and the starter * ground side for some reason.

Use a contact cleaner spray to clean the two safety switches and give it a go.

[Hank Wong]

A friend has a 2007 Bonny. His bike died in the middle of a ride. We thought we were experienced and know how to diagnose fuel and electrical issues but we couldn't get it started. Finally trailer-ed it to a dealer and the problem was a bad rectifier. Then we (he) learned that a bad rectifier is a common problem with that gen Bonny. It cannot handle the heat. The real fix is not just replace the OEM Lucas regulator/rectifier but also go to a bigger aftermarket one. Do a google on it.
My friend had said that the problem was intermittent, wouldn't start one day and then starts and rides fine the next, sort of like your description.
P.S. How are you liking your Z900RS? I think Kawi nailed the looks. Does it ride as good as it looks?

[larry kahn]

Originally Posted by Hank Wong

A friend has a 2007 Bonny. His bike died in the middle of a ride. We thought we were experienced and know how to diagnose fuel and electrical issues but we couldn't get it started. Finally trailer-ed it to a dealer and the problem was a bad rectifier. Then we (he) learned that a bad rectifier is a common problem with that gen Bonny. It cannot handle the heat. The real fix is not just replace the OEM Lucas regulator/rectifier but also go to a bigger aftermarket one. Do a google on it.
My friend had said that the problem was intermittent, wouldn't start one day and then starts and rides fine the next, sort of like your description.
P.S. How are you liking your Z900RS? I think Kawi nailed the looks. Does it ride as good as it looks?

Any idea what bigger aftermarket unit he used? Quite a few out there, not confident of quality on some.

[Hank Wong]

https://www.lowbrowcustoms.com/produ...er-triumph-bsa

This is what I found with a quick search.

[Dogfeathers]

Hank Wong said

“https://www.lowbrowcustoms.com/produ...er-triumph-bsa

This is what I found with a quick search.”

**********************

Isn’t that part meant for a Meridan Triumph, not a Hinkley Triumph?

[larry kahn]

Checked the couple of switches, nothing obvious with them and the bike is in a "being good" stage now. The rectifier is a new thought , thanks. And yeah, just got in from a ride on the Z900RS, it does ride as good as it looks. Very fine street bike all around, feels like a keeper and I've been fickle over the years. They have not sold that great, deals to be had.

[Lucytriple]

If you're still not up and running, my next step would be to check the pickup connex under the seat. Pretty sure it's a triangle deal, or maybe it's just the two wires. Anyway, follow it up under there from the right side and check for connectivity cold and if you can while hot, or best yet cold and then right when it dies. Sensors like the pickup often start failing only when hot and then eventually even when cold. Should have connectivity between the two wires and nothing to ground from either wire. That sensor has been the culprit in a lot of no-starts I've repaired. Not too pricey either if it comes to that.

[larry kahn]

It has not acted up in awhile now so maybe it fixed itself (for now) and the no-spark-but-cranks issue happens when cold.