condensor

Hi all. I have an early st70 that has had a c90e fitted.
The coil has just a black/white wire which is the feed and a condensor which is connected to the green from the points and is earthed via a bracket fitted to the coil.
My questions are....
1. What exactly does the condensor do?
2. If the condensor is faulty does it prevent a spark at the plug?
3. The bike was running fine until the wire came off the condensor which I soldered back on but now there is no sign of a spark.
Before this happened there was a cracking spark on kickover even without a battery fitted.
So am I correct in thinking its just a replace condensor job?
As usual, any help would be most welcome.

1. It builts up and keeps the electrical current untill the right time, to have a well timed spark.
2. Worst case: yes. Most of the times the spark will be too weak.
3. Heat is the condesors worst enemy. Be extremely careful when soldering. If its temperature is just a little too high, even a brand new condensor will be broken.
So yes, you should replace it with the same mark and model. Make sure you didn't make a short circuit.

Thanks for the info. I have a new condensor on its way so as everything was fine before, fingers crossed!
Hope everyone has a teriffic new year and here's to some top riding weather for 2012.

Soldered wire on condensor and she fired up first kick!
All is well with the world again plus a new condensor for the spares dept.
Thanks again for your help.

Nice to hear it worked out good.
You're welcome!