What kind of damage can a novice do while attempting to clean the points with 800 grit sand paper and then spraying everything in the vicinity with contact cleaner?    CT3, if it matters.

During the same session I removed the tank, installed new tank cap innards and a new petcock. Could I have inadvertently damaged a wire or connection ham-fisting the tank re-installation.

the only thing I have tried is a new spark plug and re-seating all the connections that live under the tank.

Did not have any spark problems before this.



 

Point contacts are probably not clean.  Cut strips of white uncoated business card and pull them through the points until paper comes out clean. 

Thanks Mark. I will do so. I have a gazillion of unused business cards.

Only takes a spec of sandpaper grit left behind to 'not' work. Have you dislodged the wire to the coil under the tank when removing or re-fitting.