No spark - FIXED.

[pcarrell]

Well that's good news!

[Darth Wraith]

The big mistery was actually very small - the 100 ohm tiny resistor from the key switch, one contact broken. Resistor replaced, 5 minute soldering job, and the Drifter is back in business...

[pcarrell]

And don't forget to try popping the fuel filler.  Sounds crazy, but I've seen it be the issue more then once.

[Darth Wraith]

I don't think is the seat, because right now doesn't matter if it is on or off the bike. Monday I will try to use another igniter from another Drifter to clear the main possible problem. Strange, anyway...

[CDNRatMan]

not sure but like pcarrell say's it sounds strange about starting when the seat is off, but then when the seat is on perhaps you have caused a short someplace. I would try to solve one issue at a time and keep track of what you do to verify what you have done. Strange problem

[pcarrell]

So, every time you have the sea on it....nothing.  But every tine the seat is off......Vrooomm!

I've not heard of this, but it seems strange that the seat would make a difference.

You could just ride standing up all the time! 

Is the seat maybe pushing up against something or pinching a wire maybe?  Can you verify you're getting spark when it won't start?
Could be the ignition fuse is flaking out.  Check the fuse box.

Just an off the wall thing.......try opening the fuel filler and starting it.  Maybe the seat thing is a coincidence.  800's sometimes get a vacuum lock in the fuel.  Maybe it was starting off of what was left in the fuel bowls of the carbs?

[Darth Wraith]

A big mistery on my 800 Drifter... I returned from a 400 miles journey, last beautiful -almost summer day - and after that I took a break because of 3 days of fog, rain and cold. After the weather improved, I want to start my bike but  I had a problem: I had lights, the engine turned but does'n't start. I had similar problems after long stationing in cold and rain - the ex-owner said it was something related to key switch been oxidated, so just move it a little and it's OK. This time that solution seems not to work, so I removed the key switch and ask a friend who is skilled in such area to take a look. He said he solved the problem - the contacts were corroded and the switch had also some mechanical problems, but he solved them, only the parking position was blocked permanently. I put back the switch and, again, no engine start - the starter rotates the engine, but no spark. I checked every contact and wires, igniter and fuse box connections and before putting back the seat I tried to start the bike again. This time the engine starts and seems to be OK. I put back the seat, stop the engine and tried to start it again. Again, the same no-starting problem. I removed the seat, checked again, the engine starts again, the history repeated, when I put everything back again, no spark. A friend of mine advised me to clean the kill switch and start switch - I did that with no result. The fuses are OK, I have current on the coils contacts, but no spark. Did somebody encounter such a problem?