Starting Help!!

Hi, yep, I tried swapping the CDI boxes but no difference.
I took all the plugs out and cleaned them, and they were all wet.
How do I do a compression test?

 

gotta get a gauge with adapters. anything less than about 120 psi indicates a problem.

another thing you seemingly refuse to try is starting fluid spray, which is great at diagnosing any problems with carbs.

try pulling out the headlight fuse when you attempt starting, might help keep battery voltage up as it starts running and give better sparks.

 

Ok, please bear in mind I have never worked on this bike - just lots of others lol....

However,

IF you have spark on cylinder 1,2,3, & 4 the it's really unlikely to be the CDI BOX. I believe it works on a wasted spark design so fires twice..
The coils provide spark to 1 & 3 (rear cylinders) & 2 & 4 (front pair).
Ignore compression at the moment - if it backfires whilst starting it's almost always you have the sparks firing at the wrong time - and with the 80's bikes it's really easy to put the plug for no 3 onto no 1 and the same for the front pair.

If someone with this model can post a pic of the coils with the leads numbered it should make it more obvious.

 

Ok yeah, I have tried swapping them all over the place but had no luck, this is how I have them set up just now. If anybody can help with the right set up I’d be grateful.

 

Hi, I just watched this video of a guy trying to start a 1982 Honda Sabre, and it seemed like he needed to turn it for eternity before it caught.
I was too scared of frying my starter, especially jumping it off the car. But could it maybe just be that ?