Motoplat & spark plug compatibility question

[454MRW]

Will a resistor plug have a detrimental effect on a Motoplat ignition? I am working on a 79 Husqvarna with a B8ES apark plug, and I have some new plugs for our '07 CR125R Honda which are BR8ES resistor type plugs. Before trying one I would like to know if there is a possibility it will harm the Motoplat. Sorry for the non-Penton question, but I am striving for diversity. Mike

Michael R. Winter
I enjoy rebuilding and appreciating Pentons!
1974 250 HS Pentons-1980 KTM 175-400'S
1975 Can Am 175 TNT & 77 250 Black Widow
1979 Husqvarna OR250
1976-78 RM & 77-79 PE Suzuki's
1974 CR250M 07 CR125R & CR150R

[G Ellis]

Mike I would not  use the resistor plug. If I remember correctly it will do something with motoplat. Or it will not spark correctly. Later Gary

[Larry Perkins]

Mike,

A couple of years ago I worked on a Husky with no spark and the Motoplat was replaced and a new resistor plug put in but still no spark.  Stan beni then told me that the resistor plug was the prob and we switched it out.  It immediately fired up.  So the resistor deal somehow keeps it from working properly.  As far as damage goes not sure on that part.  In this instance it was just like the kill button was on.  This was on a 1973 or 1974 400.

Larry P

[Doug Bridges]

I had a motoplat rebuilt by Vance Smith. There are varying opinions on the reliability of his work. But I would say if he has the ability to rebuild one and make it work as he did mine he must know something about them. He told me that the resitor plugs could and would ruin the motoplat ignition. For the cost of a plug it isn't even worth the chance of ruining an ignition to me.

Doug Bridges
73 Jackpiner
74 Rickman Zundapp
78 Suzuki PE175
82 XR200R

[454MRW]

Thanks for the information. Dane could probably confirm it, but that is what I am thinking to be the case. The kick starter doesn't engage and the bike will try to start while pushing, but so far I haven't been able to keep it running. I will pull the pipe, check the airbox to make sure no one left a rag in place, and try another used B8ES plug I have. I didn't want to disconnect the kill switch as a precaution before I tried other options. The first thing I did was drain and clean the Clarke tank, clean the carb, lube the slide, and record the jet and needle sizes for reference. Mike

Michael R. Winter
I enjoy rebuilding and appreciating Pentons!
1974 250 HS Pentons-1980 KTM 175-400'S
1975 Can Am 175 TNT & 77 250 Black Widow
1979 Husqvarna OR250
1976-78 RM & 77-79 PE Suzuki's
1974 CR250M 07 CR125R & CR150R

[454MRW]

After determining that there was indeed a news paper wadded up in the airfilter to boot area, and making sure no such restriction was present in the exhaust track, the bike came closer to running and once the float level was set re-set and the needle clip position moved to the center on the 38mm Mikuni that is has, the bike runs and shifts OK. The kick starter actually works, it is just low on compression and other than breaking the drive chain on the last test run, it should make an interesting project. Thanks for the help on the sprk plug issue. Mike

Michael R. Winter
I enjoy rebuilding and appreciating Pentons!
1974 250 HS Pentons-1980 KTM 175-400'S
1975 Can Am 175 TNT & 77 250 Black Widow
1979 Husqvarna OR250
1976-78 RM & 77-79 PE Suzuki's
1974 CR250M 07 CR125R & CR150R

[DKWRACER]

Another interesting story with a good ending.
Actually went to a gun show, me with a very old Chilean Mauser (matching#'s) (7mm nice gun), turned left , happeneded upon a book dealer, was a shooter himself, had a really nice Canadian 1911, we talked. what to my surprise $225 Came my way, whilst in my discussion with said new owner, another Mauser enthusiast came upon the situation. He noticed that I was dressed in Ktm colors, I proceeded to tell the story about the beginnings of KTM, he absolutly knew nothing, but a bond was established.
So now armed with 225.00 in cash, I ventured into the unknown. Could have bought Ar's/ Rossi's/Rugar's/Colt's/ Snw's...what-ever..
no-way jose! bought a Lyman BP 54 cal.
Will it replace a Penton, no way... jose

thanks for the times!