- Why do you need to adjust the ignition on a Ural motorcycle?
- The sequence of actions when setting up the ignition on a Ural motorcycle
Today, Ural motorcycles are found among many experienced motorcyclists. This type of motorcycle is reliable and can last for many years. Ural motorcycles have a whole set of recommendations for use. The main one is monitoring the operation of all systems. In order for them to work properly, it is necessary to carry out preventive adjustments of some parts. In particular, the ignition system undergoes regular adjustments.
Leave it to mechanics or install electronics
Perhaps not all older motorcycle models are running.
The Ural motorcycle sits and rusts in my grandfather’s barn because it won’t start. The wheels are spinning, the engine is not jammed. Maybe the spark goes into the ground, as they say. In short, you need to look at the spark generation system. But even a working motorcycle, with a contact ignition system, causes unexpected and unpleasant problems for its owner:
- won't start when you really need it;
- with new oil rings in the engine, the spark plugs become covered with soot;
- there is no required engine power when driving with maximum load;
- the maximum speed is not reached;
- The battery is slightly discharged and the engine does not start.
The contact ignition system creates a lot of problems, especially when the moving parts in it have already worn out, backlash has appeared, and the geometry of the elements has changed.
The solution is simple - all cam ignition is thrown out, a modern electronic non-contact type spark generation system is installed. You will no longer have to deal with the thankless task of cleaning contacts and endlessly adjusting the gaps in the breaker. All this is possible thanks to the simple, but quite reliable design of the motorcycle. For example, it is quite easy to set the thermal gap and adjust the valves in the Urals with your own hands, using only your own tools from the garage. This way you will gain valuable experience and save money on visiting the workshop.
URAL starter does not turn
If the control system of the above equipment does not turn on the starter when turning the ignition key to start, then the cause of the breakdown lies in the electrical equipment or electronic systems of the truck. The reasons may be the following:
- Faulty relay and fuse box
- Lack of contacts in electrical wiring connectors
- Truck main relay malfunction
- Failure of the ignition switch Failure of the starter
- CAN bus break or short circuit
- Lack of “mass”
- No supply voltage at the engine control unit
- Open or shorted wiring harness
- Starter solenoid relay malfunction
- Failure of the ignition switch
- Failure of the engine control unit
Replacing spark plugs before installing electronic ignition systems
Spark plugs are the last element of the spark generation system in any engine. They work under conditions of high pressure and temperature.
Sparking occurs on them when a high voltage pulse is applied. Therefore, it is not possible to test them, without a test bench, in domestic conditions.
The serviceability of a working spark plug can only be judged visually - by carbon deposits on its tip or presence on the “skirt”. To ensure reliable engine operation, change spark plugs according to the motorcycle operating rules, without expecting them to work forever.
Choose the correct heat rating when purchasing spark plugs. Set the gap in the spark plug electrodes to 0.7-0.8 mm.
We hope that these problems with the spark plugs are not observed and, after purchasing (manufacturing) a non-contact type ignition system and replacing the spark plugs, we begin adjustment work.
First signs of trouble
Before checking, the coil must be removed from the motorcycle using the available tools. Before removal, the part must be carefully disconnected from the connectors, and when removing it, you should be careful not to break its fragile fastening. Having taken out the coil, look carefully at its surface.
The main sign of a coil malfunction will be dark spots on the surface of the winding, as well as traces of melting, which indicate that excessive voltage is applied to the part. In addition, spots of oil or other foreign substances, which theoretically should not be in the ignition system, will be a reason to be wary. When the ignition operates without the motor running, clearly noticeable damage may appear on the surface of the winding, including breaks visible to the naked eye. However, you should not rely only on visual inspection - after inspection, the part is subjected to a thorough examination.
Signs of poor ignition performance on a Ural motorcycle
- The motorcycle does not start well;
- Kickstarter is kicking;
- The engine does not develop full power;
- Weak spark when checking spark plugs.
Before setting the ignition, the battery must be well charged; the “strength” of the spark depends on this. If the battery is weak, and this is checked by the signal (horn), since the warning lamp can light quite brightly, and the signal horn barely makes a sound, then attempts to start the motorcycle will be useless.
To set the ignition:
- unscrew the front engine ignition cover,
- unscrew the bolt pos. 9 (key for 10) which is held by the advance automatic,
- unscrew the three bolts that hold the breaker body,
- disconnect the wire going to the ignition coil.
We remove the breaker housing, clean it from dirt, and wipe it dry. We check the contacts of the breaker; if there are visible defects, we eliminate them with sandpaper. The plane of the contacts must be smooth, without distortions.
After cleaning, we put the breaker housing assembly back in place, do not tighten the fastening bolts, put the ignition timing switch in place, and tighten the bolt that holds it.
Unscrew the bolt pos. 1 which fixes the movable contact of the breaker, and with the eccentric pos. 11 we set the maximum gap between the contacts of the breaker to 0.5 mm. Fix with bolt pos. 1.
We take a 12 volt lamp (or a multimeter) and connect it parallel to the ignition contacts. Those. one end of the lamp to the wire that goes to the ignition coil, and the other to the housing. And turn on the ignition on the motorcycle. It turns out that when the breaker contacts are closed, the lamp does not light. The contacts open and the lamp lights up. At the moment when the breaker contacts open and a spark occurs at the spark plug. The moment of opening the contacts is regulated by turning the body of the breaker itself clockwise or counterclockwise.
To set the contact opening moment, you need to open the inspection window on the engine, where you can see the flywheel. Using Kickstarter, set the mark on the flywheel so that it matches the mark on the engine, next to the inspection window.
If there is no mark on the flywheel or it is not visible
You need to unscrew the valve cover of the left cylinder and use the kickstarter to set the moment when both valves are closed. Unscrew the spark plug, insert a caliper into the hole, and bring the piston to the extreme point, this will be TDC. Then take out the caliper and spread it 7.5 mm. Move the piston with TDC using the kickstarter, and determine when the valves are closed, insert the caliper into the spark plug hole again. And slowly bring the piston to the caliper so that it rests against it. Thus, the piston will not reach TDC by 7.5 mm, this is the moment when the advanced ignition is triggered. The breaker is set according to it.
If you don’t have a caliper, you can simply insert an elastic wire, take a few measurements to determine the TDC, then push it 7.5 mm deeper and bring the piston to it. This can also be done by unscrewing the head and measuring 7.5 mm from the TDC of the piston.
If there is no mark on the flywheel, then you can put it with a chisel, but carefully so that you don’t have to search for TDC for a long time.
Does not start. What to do?
It depends on what the symptoms are and whether they exist.
