Blood, sweat, tears & beers . . .

You're right, I sure ain't gonna run it with a nail in it! I thought of that, too. Sometimes I oughta step outside the box and try things not in the manual. But everybody says, Get a manual! Get a manual! I'll do that test with the plug in the boot and see what happens. It could be the used wires, too. I asked the guy to send me a long & a short but when they came, they were both way too long so I shortened both of them. I was careful to reconnect the ends (at the coil end) the same way they looked before I cut them. I suppose I could have botched it, but I doubt it. Might be a good idea to get new wires anyway and maybe a new coil, too.
Some wise ol' coot years ago told me once when I was working on my 350 Chevy mill to never put "used" electrical components on it. People take the old stuff off and replace it for a reason. Duh!

HRK, already sent the order in to J&P.

Well, I tested the spark at the plugs (see pic) and I was getting a LITTLE spark at each wire & plug. I suppose ANY spark would detonate the fuel in the combustion chambers, right? Hooked everything back up and tried starting it again but nothing. I know that the timing mark on the flywheel is spot on at 5 degrees BTDC when the small lobe on the cam begins to open the points. That is the static setting for the front cylinder. It should start. I just can't figure out what's wrong . . .
Looks like Tattoo is going to have to fix it - I can't.

Did you observe the color of the spark? You want that spark to be a bluish color if I am not mistaken.

Nope...what you wanna see is a sharp bright blue spark....you did some cutting and splicing on the wires you have on now,right??Why not try a new set of wires,factory terminated on both ends...then check for spark...if the spark is still weak, then go from there....

That's what everybody tells me, including the manual, and never having seen the way a spark is supposed to look, I can't tell if it's too weak or what. But the spark coming off both the plugs and wires is definitely white and faint. You can barely see it. There is no sound either. Isn't there supposed to be a sound like a snap of the fingers or something? D***, I wish I knew more about these things . . .
Anyway, like I said, it won't hurt to get new wires as soon as payday rolls around next week . . . Lucifer, I'm gonna do exactly as you suggest.
Boys, I am determined to start it and do it by kicking. No crutches for me, thanks!

Never thought of that. We have a push mower and since I'm cutting the grass tomorrow, I'll try it.

Oh yeah! It's gonna be around 100 today, humidity in the 80's I think and well into the "misery index". You get any rain where you are yet?

A real faint spark is not a good sign. I would think if I saw that that there is either a coil or wire issue. JMO.

I did a meter reading on the coil yesterday and the Primary resistance is only around 3.1 ohms (should read 4.7 to 5.7 ohms for points setup).
Another thing I noticed was that there was some very faint lettering on the side of the coil that say "electronic advance". So, I have the wrong coil for points. Problem solved. Calling Harley today to inquire if they have the correct coil for points ignition and if not, then I'll look elsewhere, maybe California Phil.
BTW, when I ordered the coil I have now I told the idiot I have points/condensor and he sends me the wrong one! I should have looked closer . . .

I think that's the right leg, and it's fine now after a couple days rest. I must have kicked that ol' thang a couple hundred times all total last week. Geez, I could have saved myself a lot of work if only I had known I had the wrong coil . . . I called Harley and they don't carry the double fire coils for points anymore. Once again, I'll go with J&P. They have several to choose from that would work and they have a hot line to get advice. So far, they have been very helpful.
My pump cover gasket is on the way . . .

I had forgotton (short term memory loss - and you know what causes that!) I had a really good book on motorcycle electric systems and poured over it and found out how to troubleshoot coils. Borrowed an ohm meter from a friend and did the test. I'm going to get my own meter as any DIY toolbox should have one.
Although it has been frustrating as I can't ride yet, I am enjoying the learning processes as I go along. I really do want to understand what makes my bike tick. The more I learn, the more confidence I'll have when I finally get on the road.
BTW, if anyone out there would like a good book on motorcycle electrics, try: