Triumph Electrics

[Alan-64]

Everthings been fine with my 1968 Triumph TR6, until yesterday. Normally a good starter, I suffered couple of kick backs when starting. Perhaps the boyer ignition had slipped a bit? Anyway got to work OK. End of work and its dark, again bike starts albeit with the kick backs, but when I switched the lights on, I got a bang from the exaust, and it cut out. Did this a couple of times before I called it a night, and rang the wife to pick me up! Following day, (in daylight), I got the bike back home but it was very difficult to start, but seemed OK when running, although I did notice the ammeter was slightly off left to discharge. Before I leap in to try to discover the problem, I'm sure there are some wise people out there who can point me in the direction. My own thought is condensers, but I await some feedback first. Thanks for listening.
  Alan B

[L.A.B.]

If the timing hasn't slipped then getting kickbacks with a Boyer ignition is generally a symptom of low Voltage, as low Volts causes the Boyer system to spark erratically and over-advance.

So possibly the battery is on the way out, or there is a fault in the charging system or a bad connection in the ignition circuit somewhere?

I'm not sure what "condensers" you are referring to as there shouldn't be any ignition condensers connected to the Boyer system (whatever type is fitted MkIII/Micro-Digital/Micro-Power).

[Alan-64]

Thanks for the pointer that low voltage may be the problem. I did notice on recovering the bike that the ammeter had a slight bias towards discharge, and over a period the battery may now be too low. Better check the battery condition, and charging system. Sorry about the condensers. I didnt fit the Boyer, but they are still fitted under the front of the tank. I see now from the Boyer wiring that they are not in play. Many thanks.
Alan B

[Alan-64]

Looks like a self inflicted problem! The electolyte level in the battery was way down. I mean, way down! Topped up, battery charged and were off again. Thanks for the pointer on the low battery as a probable cause.

Alan B