Honda CX 500 Forum banner

right cylinder not firing

1661 Views 8 Replies 3 Participants Last post by  ostynd
My 79 cx500 is only firing on the left cylinder. The right is getting spark and the carb is getting fuel. I rented a compression tester to see if that is the issue but they don't have a small enough adapter to test my bike. Any ideas what I should look for or what might be causing this?
1 - 9 of 9 Posts
Just because the carb is getting fuel doesnt mean your jets cant be clogged
Just because the carb is getting fuel doesnt mean your jets cant be clogged


So how would I tell if that's the case?
Well, 1st off what is making you think its not firing on that side? Are you going by exhaust pulses? Do you still have your hbox on or not. My bike has the hbox removed and when I first got it I noticed there wasnt much coming out of my right pipe, I feared the worst like you. Checked and was getting spark, then it kinda became off and on (not riding it, just tinkering) someone had mentioned it may not be getting fuel. So my carbs are off right now being cleaned and they were pretty nasty. Not positive thats my problem yet, but very certain. You could get a spray bottle with gas and squirt thru that carb then fire it up and see how it does
The bike isn't running properly and the right cylinder isn't heating up. Hbox is still on
Also if I pull the right plug boot off there is no performance change. Pull the left and the bike dies
Well, with the hbox on you wont be able to tell by the exhaust. But you could.still squirt gas is there and see if it temporarily sounds better. Did this happen all of a sudden?
I'd try new plugs just to rule these out.
I'd try new plugs just to rule these out.


I am certain it is getting spark... I have switched the plugs from cylinder to cylinder and switched the boots to opposite sides also. The plug would arc against the frame so I am sure the coil and wire are good too
1 - 9 of 9 Posts
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top