Thanks so much G, for taking some considerable time in your efforts to help me. It seems the very first thing is to yank the plugs, inspect them, and replace with a couple of new Champions. I am a big fan of good plugs and spend an absolute kings ransom on them for the Porsche.

If I am lucky, this might fix it. Sometimes I am spectacularly lucky. (For instance, I have never tried to fill a vehicle with oil without first checking the sump plug is fitted and torqued. )

Then I'll try the new coils and relay idea - I have an electrically competent workmate who also happens to have a Paso 906 (albeit a non-running one!) so I will ask him to give me a hand with that job.

Flywheel pickups would be my last option, as I have just put the thing back together again! ACK. (I was very careful not to change or alter anything under the alternator cover when it was apart, so they should not have moved from their previous "running just fine" clearances.)

Man, Higgy's signature really is correct isn't it? "Turning riders into mechanics since 1947". *sigh*

Mobius, getting stronger coils is definetely always recommendable but I`d first try the wiring mod only.
According to the manual the correct plugs for the 906 are the Champion RA6HC (0,6mm electrode gap - one should check also on new plugs). The Champions are the probably cheapest option but for some reason they work best. On the other side there are a few jap bikes that would run like sh** with Champions but purr like a kitten with NGKs. No idea why. It differes from engine to engine and ignition system to ignition system.
You may also try some starting aid spray. I use that quite often specially for waking up the bikes or lawn mower from hibernation. Good luck.

G.

My paso ( immediatly blames the bike ) has a false neutral between 5-6 that more often than not . Ive never been able to figure why only this gear , a strip down ( for other reasons ) didnt shed any light .

Thanks to everyone for your great input!

I replaced the spark plugs and it fired up within 2 seconds on the first crank.

This starting issue has been interesting (and fairly frustrating too: What idiots thought it would be a good idea to make the same spark plug but with two different socket sizes?? 18mm Champions and 16mm NGKs! Aargh!) and I have read a lot about the electrical/starting issues for the Paso.

So, I have decided that I will replace the starter cables with the monster items described in another thread, and to install another relay. But those jobs can wait until winter, when the 928 is needed every day.

Right now it's time to enjoy the southern summer - and a damned good thing too! The price of 95 Octane just went over $2/litre - and the 98 I put in the 928 makes my eyes bleed. I put $160 in the Porsche the other day from almost empty.

When I started it, I also noted a total lack of crunching sounds - which I have heard in the past. Perhaps that single piece of engine case was the only one in there. I guess time will answer that question.

I remain super impressed with how knowledgeable and friendly everyone is here, and the time and effort people take to help out their fellow enthusiasts has bowled me over! I saved a huge amount of money doing it myself, and I still have most of the skin left on my hands - which is an added bonus!

There's only one tip I would give any new Paso owner before starting out on some home-based maintenance or repairs: make sure you have the necessary expletives for the job, and that you know how to use them correctly.

Cheers all.

Chris.

Most important of all - Good News Mobius! and just to re-iterate, this poster reckons that it is totally normal to stumble on a false neutral from time to time on your machine, so don't worry too much about it.

Yup. I think if I was 22 again, the false neutrals would really annoy me - because I would be riding at Mach 1 everywhere, risking life and limb. But now I'm so old I fart dust, and ride like it too - so it isn't really a big issue.

well its good you finally got her started etc etc. now you can let us know how you enjoy the 906 ride as we in the north are all frozen in. brrrrrrrrrr.

Chris, that`s good news. Actually almost a bit disappointing that the solution was so simple
But now you can help your friend to get his 906 running again.
Enjoy the ride !

G.

fully agree with G. time to get the other 906 up and running! good luck