When using points I usually pull one plug lead to dial in the opposite carb, then reverse it for the other side, then balance the idle. My understanding is on these electronic ignitions whether they are Boyers or L/R, one is not supposed to do that. I am having difficulty balancing the carbs with both cylinders firing. I also sense the intake balance tube is affecting this. So I am appealing to the experts on this. 1. Should the balance tube be disconnected and the ports capped? 2. Can the plug leads be pulled on an electronic ignition, if not, is there another way to sync without a vacuum gauge?

Mike

Hi Mike If you pull a plug wire on one side, with an EI, you should allow the spark to fire thru to ground. It is "open ending" the wire that is "supposed" to have the damaging effect to the box. You could put a lawnmower test plug clipped to the engine to allow it to fire outside of the combustion chamber. A single isolated secondary coil differs from a pair of single coils in that both plugs will quit if you open end a dual coil. I don't usually bother to disconnect the balance tube, you would think in theory it might be better, but I find it really does need to be adjusted with the balance tube connected. The pulsations effect does slightly alter the mixture from a little more constant flow allowed by the balance tube. The effect is small and most people would probably not be able to tell.

Thanks Dave, I have read your response several times very carefully and see words like 'supposed' and 'could'. So I assume you are reluctant to say to do it. In this case I am running dual stock coils. Since this is a dual fire system, I assume the opposite plug will still fire. I don't see the harm in this. I see the difference with a single coil if the system shuts down. Can I assume it is relatively safe if one side is firing with dual coils? Better yet, do you do this on your bikes with dual coils?

Mike

"supposed" to damage the box. I am trying to toast a LR by running an open ended coil. LR removed the varistor on the later boxes since they put higher rated output transistors in them. I want to see how they actually perform when abused. 2 coils As long as you short out to ground the spark you don't want you will be OK. On a dual coil/isolated secondary, you must have a complete path or you may High Voltage break down the coil internally, and the wire that is connected won't spark anyway.... Therefore shorting out the dead cylinder's wire is manditory. still won't let me login from work...