my bonnie isn't feeling good

[sevy]

I am very familiar with the classic triples and not the newer Bonnies, so take this with a grain of salt. Our triples came with Gill coils from the factory, and they do go south pretty regularly. It seems to be an age factor more than a mileage factor, so probably an insulating material shrinking over time, or corrosion on the windings inside. My Gill coils were still fine when I replaced them with the Nologys, but I noticed an improvement in running across the entire power band, and a better idle, so I think the Nology are either higher output or just better made. I don't know if you have two separate coils or one double on a Bonnie, but given your bike's age, I would do the coil(s) as a matter of maintenance regardless.
The hot wires cables from Nology are supposed to be a great upgrade, but the boots don't seal well for all models, so if you are considering these, you may want to get on a forum and see if others have had issues with fitment. The hot wires that I bought for my Steamer also need to be grounded at the coil end, and I'll bet the Bonnie ones are similar, so you may also need to have a solid grounding location within reach of the coil end of the cable.
Lastly, even though you don't have a fuel issue, I'll mention two products that have eliminated all of the fuel issues that I used to encounter. The first is Star Tron fuel additive, which cleans your fuel system and also prevents the ethanol from separating in the tank and causing rust and corrosion. I store both of my bikes with a full tank of non-ethanol gas (when I can find it), and a bottle of the Star Tron. During the summer, I add a splash every other tank or so. Really great stuff, and has worked better at stabilizing for me than the Stabil marine that I used to use. It also has done a better job than the old standard Seafoam for cleaning fuel systems on some of my other engines. Really good stuff.
The other great product if you do have rust started in your fuel tank is the Caswell sealer kit. This is a clear epoxy based product that does not require any acid scouring prior to use. It is easy to use, and I have written a step by step review which is on webBikeWorld if anyone is looking at fuel tank sealers.
Since doing the Caswell and using the Star Tron, I have had no more fuel issues at all, and the bikes start each spring within about 15 seconds of cranking.

Good luck with your Bonnie. I think those and the Thruxtons are really beautiful classic looking bikes (even if they are missing one cylinder )

[LoVel]

Thanks for the info sevy. I have decided I will go ahead and order a new coil based on yours and others advice.

Mark, I was reading your post about the -17 degrees thinking, no big deal, it was 18 here Monday. Then I read it again and noticed the minus symbol.

[LoVel]

Thanks again for the advice. I wasn't to surprised when the wires didn't fix it and the coil should be here by Wednesday. Hopefully this will be the case and I can get on with more mundane maintenance like replacing the front tire and attempting to repair the speedo.

[mark]

Good luck, Paul. Keep us posted!

--mark

[bonnevillebilly]

Just found out my dad has a spare coil at home. At least I can test it before purchase If the wires don't fix it.


I may buy a new coil anyway even if the wires do fix it.

What happened ? I was waiting to hear how the test coil worked.

[Boosted Thrills]

The suspense is killing me!!!

[LoVel]

Originally just bought the wires and they did not fix the problem. The coil has been shipped and will be here Thursday which is fine by me since that is the next time the temps will be above freezing. I should have the coil replaced this weekend at some point as long as I get a few minutes break in the rain. I will post the results.

[bonnevillebilly]

What happened to the one your dad has?

[LoVel]

Just didn't make it over last weekend and it's been too dang cold and snowy since then. The snow should melt today and hopefully the mail will start running again today.

[bonnevillebilly]

Cold? Snowy?.... What the hell is going on down there?

[LoVel]

Something like this.

[jefff1]

hey guys...hope your new coil does the trick....My mom called a few days ago from Lillian, Alabama (the place ON THE GULF) and she was worried about her water freezing and everything was closed...Pretty cold winter for those parts...Sold my Gold Wing and Bushtec to a guy that lives in Warrior, Alabama..is that close to you? Now warm up so you can get back to riding...

[bonniegirl]

Saturday was sunny and 60, snow melted (that picture was a gross exaggeration of the amt of snow, but not the traffic problem)
paul got the new coil on and she runs like a charm, started right up, if she hasn't been run it usually takes about 4 tries, even if the weather is good. he took her out for a short ride and no skips burbles coughs or farts
I'm nor riding for a little bit as I had some very minor toe surgery.
seems like the coil was it. she purrs like a growly kitten, sort of.
thanks again for all the help.
speedo and new front tire this wknd if the weather is reasonable and we can get over to pauls dad's to use the tire changer.
I have NEVER seen 2 inches of snow paralyze a city, it was amazing. brimingham was SHUT DOWN for 3 days...again amazing.
robin

[sevy]

Glad that you have it sorted. We may get a foot of new snow tomorrow night if the forecasters have read the tea leaves correctly. (Only meteorologists and baseball players earn money for being successful at their jobs 1/3 of the time)

[bonnevillebilly]

Awesome , I'm glad to hear your bonny is all better.
I remember how good I felt after I got my bonny back to running the way she is suppose to.

Bill