Electronic ignitions

[matthewmosse]

I'm thinking of fitting a boyer ignition system to eliminate points from the maintenence schedule and variables when finding starting problems. The question is, What brand works best? I'm thinking Boyer at the moment but before I spend lots of cash I thought I'd ask if anyone has any suggestions? The second factor is which system would be best? one seems to replace the points the other the coils as well which costs more but has the benefit of new shiny and smallness, Might free up enough room to put the extra black box under the tank, cos an alarm fills up the tool tray on my 500 and I don't want to bin any (more) of the originallity factor.

[SteveD CB500K0]

Have you looked at the Dyna S?

Replaces points completely.

At the moment, Jeff Saunders at www.z1enterprises.com will sell you one for $120 + $10 shipping (surface mail so you have to wait). With the exchange rate at present, this is a fantastic deal!

Dyna also supply coils if you want to go the whole hog - but be careful about overall current draw as the 3 ohm coils will tax your charging system.

For much discussion on this, and a home-made system from "Hondaman", check out www.sohc4.net - it's where the Americans hang out. Jeff Saunders is also a member over there.

[matthewmosse]

Price sounds good. Alarm bells ring on mention of more current drain though, I have extra lights on the chair cos If I leave it at the bare min (ie Just a pilot on the chair then people don't realise the width of the outfit and I end up in the hedge  on our narrow roads) anyway the problem is I know the heated grips and lights cannot run at the same time unless I'm moving at over 60. Either I need coils that don't tax the electics more than the exsisting ones. Or I need to uprate the charging system. Anyone had expirience of upgrading the altinator? (re winding perhaps?) something I've been tempted to do for a while anyway.
Does the dyna system replace the advancer as well?

[SteveD CB500K0]

There's a guy in the States called "Hondaman" who has designed his own ignition specifically for SOHC bikes.

If you read through these threads you will see that he's done a proper job and has made them for other members.  He's also experimented with 3 ohm coils.

There's a lot of reading; get yourself a beer and settle down in front of your computer for a while. 



http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=22252.30

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=31821.0

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=27610.75

[matthewmosse]

Thanks for that, I geuss the beer might help me understand all that technical stuff! Not a clue what all that about 3 ohm dynas is If I'm understanding it right I can run standard coils (or dynas?) with this ignition and be using less power. And save lots of cash . I geuss some LEDs for the tail lights would be a worthwhile try as long as the numberplate is still illuminated and a good clean for all the connections. Or just carry on shoving a car battery in the sidecar for those long winter rides

[Bryanj]

There is no easy way to increase the generator output but an electronic regulator will give a more reliable charge, Frank Cooper (Steve have you his web site address?) did have a circuit diagram for a home made one, at lower revs and give you the option of charging to a higher voltage, which would be OK with the car battery but NOT the original bike size one, whatever type you use the 3 ohm coils will tax the system and to be honest, unless you are doing lots of miles electronic can be a pain as if there is a problem there is never a roadside fix.
My honest opinion is electronic is only worth it if you are doing 9,000 or over a year as that would be 3 gap + timing checks

[SteveD CB500K0]

I'm with Bryan (most of the way)

My black 500 only does *9* miles a year (not 9000) so electronic ignition would be a bit of a waste.

"Silver Machine" is Frank's bike. I bought it off him last year when he was thinking of moving house and wanted a clearout. He is still busy and has made many "billet" parts for his Suzuki SV650 as well as hi own home-designed fairing. It's quality stuff too!

The bike is called "Silver "Machine" as it was featured in the Jan/Feb 1990 edition of that magazine.

Franks website is here, he details how he built the bike with no money!

[matthewmosse]

Yep, I can when it's running properly cover 15 000 miles in a year going to work plus (If I trust the bike and have time off, a trip to Stafford etc.) Hence bike is showing about 80 000 miles, and on it's second speedo (last one self destructed but cb250 superderam one fits inside the original casing and is accurate)
It's a funny thing, Reason I prefer the 500/4 is it's simple mechanics and electrickery. Now I'm thinking of messing with them! thing is I'm resighning myself to the fact I'm not too clever at setting points. the 'original' set went on forever but when they died the death the replacements seem to just not want to co operate. Keep pitting or slipping out of adjustment. I've tried a strobe light but the timing wanders all over at tickover. Had a go at carb balancing but I don't have much of a clue when it comes to carbs so I decided to leave well alone. When the bike is finally back in commission I'll seriously consider looking for a competent mechanic to go over the set up issues. trouble is I'll be going some distance, the only bike shops round here are either moto crossers who don't, quite understandably want this kinda job or the main dealer round here who has some crinimally incopetent monkeys in his workshop! Try this one for a horror story:- I go in at the time knowing next to nothing about the tech side of bikes with a bare spoked wheel for a tyre to be fitted. Takes 2 weeks and when it's done (