Sparking from HT lead to bike frame

[gently-does-it]

Hi all.
Over the last 24 hours between searching on here and looking over the bike I still cannot find an answer to my problem, so, here goes....
My 2002 1150 GSA developed a clicking noise yesterday at start up and was running rough. On closer inspection the clicking was actually the noise caused by sparking between the HT lead and the bike frame.
I found a small knick in the cable and taped it up, in the hope that it would be ok until I got a replacement.
The bike ran fine for a while but then I noticed it was arcing further up the cable to a different part of the frame.
When I taped that up the arcing occurred further up the cable again, and the bike is running rough once more.
I can't understand, or even begin to guess why this might be happening so any help anyone has for me would be much appreciated.

 

[Canuck]

No idea mate but I'd be stripping it down and re-shielding that wire! SOunds like its old a dried out! Have a fun saturday!

 

[ChrisH Kerry]

Sounds like the HT leads are past their sell by date - you'll have to replace them if it's possible to get them out of the coils. Once they start to break down they're just going to keep finding another weak spot...a possible temporary botch might be to wrap the wire in self-amalgamating rubber type tape.

 

[gently-does-it]

Thanks

Thanks for the replies lads, I should have known some cream tea lovers or lads from the kingdom would come to my rescue.
Luckily I have some self amalgamating tape with me.
Thanks again.

 

[Canuck]

Thanks for the replies lads, I should have known some cream tea lovers or lads from the kingdom would come to my rescue.

Wash your mouth out! Its moose meat or beaver tail for me any day over a cream tea! blah!

 

[waterloo700]

Wait till you see the price of a new HT lead. You could always replace the one but how far behind is the other one?

 

[Smug]

The spark from the lead to the frame is caused by a problem at the spark plug.

The coil energy will take the easiest route to earth and in your case it is easier for it to spark through the HT lead insulation to the frame than to spark across the spark plug electrode to earth.

Take a look at your spark plugs.

 

[gently-does-it]

The spark from the lead to the frame is caused by a problem at the spark plug.

I believe you have earned the right to live up to your name smug. Spark plugs removed, alot of rust on the exterior of them so I've cleaned that up as best I could. It seems to be running better now. Will let you know more tomorrow when I take it for a spin.
Thanks for taking the time to post a solution.

 

[Smug]

Great I'm glad it's sorted.

Would put a new set of plugs in if it was me.

 

[NLC]

Wash your mouth out! Its moose meat or beaver tail for me any day over a cream tea! blah!

Mmm I'm getting hungry

 

[gently-does-it]

It's ok Canuck, you don't have to pretend to be all hard and tough on here. I bet you're sitting down to an afternoon cream tea right now.
Yep Smug, new plugs ordered, and a spare set too.

 

[Welshman]

Wait till you see the price of a new HT lead. You could always replace the one but how far behind is the other one?

I bought a secondhand set from Motorworks very successful buy

 

[NeilDD]

Look for a post by Fanum about a month ago.
He gave a link to a company supplying replacement HT leads at a reasonable price

Neil

 

[Fanum]

Look for a post by Fanum about a month ago.
He gave a link to a company supplying replacement HT leads at a reasonable price

Neil

And as if by magic.....
CLICKETY CLICK

 

[gently-does-it]

Thanks for the info and the link. Hopefully replacing the plugs will resolve the issue, if not I'll get some leads. What made you change the leads Fanum? What was the issue with your bike?