Honda-SOHC
SOHC.co.uk Forums => CB500/550 => Topic started by: petermigreen on July 06, 2017, 10:59:59 PM
-
I've been mulling over fitting a Boyer Bransden system to my 500 (following a points issue recently). I had a quick look at their available systems and as far as I can see there seems to be a choice of a system that retains existing coils and advance mechanism etc and another that comes with coils (not sure about the advance).
Can anyone with experience of them highlight the pros & cons of these systems in comparison with each other please?
Peter.
-
Running one myself, I'd definitely recommend a hondaman transistor ignition.
The ignition retains the points but uses them as a switch to trigger the ignition. As they are no longer carrying the full voltage, no more arcing of the points so they don't wear out. Dwell and timing is kept stock (alot of elec ignitions produce a very short spark)
Should the ignition box ever fail, simply reconnect your points at the side of the road and your no longer broken down.
Couldn't be happier with mine, bike is no longer cold blooded on start up and idles alot smoother.
Sent from my E5823 using Tapatalk
-
I've been mulling over fitting a Boyer Bransden system to my 500 (following a points issue recently). I had a quick look at their available systems and as far as I can see there seems to be a choice of a system that retains existing coils and advance mechanism etc and another that comes with coils (not sure about the advance).
Can anyone with experience of them highlight the pros & cons of these systems in comparison with each other please?
Peter.
I have an early BB system. Uses standard coils.gives BIG fat spark.you need to strip mechanical advance and just use the central piece with timing marks to mount rotor .check BB website for information
I personally wouldn't go back to points
Sent from my SM-G361F using Tapatalk
-
My 550 has a BB system as well (red box) You use the original coils
can't tell if its reliable or not as it was fitted before I bought the bike.
I probably would have kept the points as they have been more than reliable in the 750
-
Comes down to what you're replacing and why.......
For example when I fitted a BB kit it was due to having a flat spot that I'd been troubleshooting for ages and had reached the point of wanting to rule out the entire ignition system. It was easier and cheaper to do this with a BB kit that included coils than with all original parts.
Where leaving it stock or using a hondaman kit makes sense is when the system is OK to start with.
-
Comes down to what you're replacing and why.......
Looking for reliability. Don't trust components that are same age as me.
Also, I'm only thinking about it and was looking for comment on comparison between the two types.
Peter
-
In that case you probably also want to replace the old coils.
The kit with coils fires all 4 cylinders at once, I wasn't keen on that when I fitted it but it performed fine and didn't cause any other issues, only practical minor downside was having to make brackets to fit the coils.
-
In that case you probably also want to replace the old coils.
The kit with coils fires all 4 cylinders at once, I wasn't keen on that when I fitted it but it performed fine and didn't cause any other issues, only practical minor downside was having to make brackets to fit the coils.
Now that's the kind of information I was looking for.
Many thanks
-
Now that's the kind of information I was looking for.
?
-
Now that's the kind of information I was looking for.
?
What is this, some sort of cryptic crossword clue. I was enjoying learning from this thread but have lost the plot totally now!!
-
You have to put some words in front of the "?" or it doesn't make any sense.
Peter.
-
only practical minor downside was having to make brackets to fit the coils.
I don't get it. That would be enough for me not to use them. Who wants 4 coils when 2 are plenty? And I don't see what good three wasted sparks is. I've made my own E.I. Let me see if I can find what I've posted about it. http://www.sohc.co.uk/index.php/topic,11465.msg86465.html#msg86465. Actually I reinstalled it just the other day. Had to renew some wires that had gone too stiff. I've must have made it some 20 years ago and it has served tens of thousands of kilometers troublefree. The points that only switch the control current, live for ever. Mine must have covered between 55.000 and 60.000 kms now. If ever it would fail, I can reconnect the old set up within minutes. But it won't fail. The design is rock solid and has proved itself as many users have testified.
Bear in mind that an E.I basically is nothing but a switch.
-
I don't think you run four coils only that the replacement coils don't fit th regular bracket and it fires all four plugs at once? Maybe Totty can elucidate.
Peter
-
You bought new coils the other day if you buy a BB kit buy it without the coils and use your new ones.
Then it will be running the same setup as mine.
-
I don't think you run four coils only that the replacement coils don't fit th regular bracket and it fires all four plugs at once? Maybe Totty can elucidate.
Peter
That's correct.
-
My dyna coils fit inthe original brackets with no modifications necessary.
-
The BB kit which retains the original coils also fires all 4 plugs at once but it doesn't seem to impact on performance at all. In fact my CB350F is noticeably smoother with the BB kit fitted.
-
Good to know. Think I'm beginning to favour that kit
-
I had a BB micro power, blue box, and new coils (2) fitted to my 1973, K2, about two years ago. Long story, short, unbeknownst to me, the new coils had been wired incorrectly, in parallel as opposed to series, which introduced symptoms that led me down a long, wrong path.
In the end, once the coils were wired correctly in series, the engine is starting and running good.
I would recommend the BB elevtronic ignition system. Their website is full of useful FAQs and PDF guides. Go for it.