Condenser issues

[Ollie Harris]

My 125 broke down on the way into work this morning. A bit annoying!

I couldn’t work out what was wrong with it, there was no spark whatsoever. I tried a new plug, cleaned the points, checked all cables and connectors, tried a spare coil (I carry a spare coil in my coat pocket, as you would) with no joy.
Initially, I sort of ruled out the condenser as I fitted a new one a fortnight ago. I was getting fed up, and was running out of ideas, so tried the condenser as a matter of course. I then had a spark.

I can’t make out why it failed so rapidly (running fine to no spark within a mile), the coil’s good, the timing’s fine.

Is there a batch of iffy condensers going around? Has anyone else had issues?

[Anonymous]

Where did you buy it before I make the same mistake.
First ride thirty miles and died Ugh !!!
Thinking the Capacitor.

[Ollie Harris]

Thanks for your reply – turns out it was an iffy coil. I replaced the coil and condenser and it’s been running really well for the last 2000 miles. No more misfiring or stopping when it gets hot either! I’m not too sure what I expected from a coil which must have been sitting in the rain for a decade!

In the end I ‘splashed out’ and bought a new condenser and genuine coil from the MZ shop. Coil was slightly deerer than the ones from germany or on ebay, but I’ve had no issues at all, and it’s turned out to be a bargain. Condenser and coil was around £40 posted, money well spent.
Plus it arrived in a few days, so the bike wasn’t off the road for hardly any time at all.

I can’t blame the condensers, but to answer your question, the condensers were from either Ost2Rad or ebay. I can’t remember. They’re probably O.K – it’s just they (like any other condenser) wont like an iffy coil!

I had the same issue – the condensor would last 30 miles, and then the bike would start misfiring when coming up to junctions. Often stopping. Check with another coil, but a good coil, don’t make the same mistake I did!

[Anonymous]

Thanks Ollie, quite true. Seems expensive when you have to lash out but when you break down
miles from anywhere and the number you’ve got from Carol N. turns out to be for
the Ombudsman Service, you would pay a hundred pounds for one.
Think I will order a coil as well just in case.
Cheers Mon Ami.

[Ollie Harris]

Whilst changing the coil I replaced the brushes on the generator. Obviously that wont make any difference to the ignition system, but they were well past the service limit. Might be worth checking, especially if you’re as complacent as me.

[Anonymous]

I’ll checkem out. Thanks.

[Author]

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