Topic: New Plug Wires

[happyonthunder]

I have a 1977 CB550 with some nasty plug wires.
Can they be changed or do I have to replace the whole coil assembly?

[cben750f0]

mate do these have the wires bonded to the coils, if they do, go to you local NGK dealer, and buy cable splicers.. the part number is J-1... then go to you locl auto electrician, and buy a couple of metres of 7mm high tension lead, cut you old wires about 100mm/4" from the coils, then attatch your splicer and new lead cut to lengthl... easy... peace

[Ibsen]

If you have coils with the plug wires moulded into the coils you can cut the old wires a couple if inches from the coils and splice on new wires. I will recommend that you use wires with a metal cord. You can either solder the cords and use a heat shrink tube to make a waterproof seal. You can also buy plug wire splicers made by NGK:





I used the first alternative on the plug wires on my Kawasaki twin, and it has worked fine for 8 years/35000 miles.

[cb750_chris]

I have never heard of these splicers before.  Sounds like a great thing.

Don't newer Honda coils have sockets that you can remove the wires from? 

You can get 6ft of the solid core wire from Den kirk for a few bucks.  It is much better to use than resistor wires. 

If you have an electronic ignition you will need some NGK resistor boots though.  If not just use good ol non resistor boots. 

[cben750f0]

no you dont need resistor wires.. they are there to stop ppl complaining when there radios get a buzz in them from the interferance from the ignition system... i run a DYNA's' on the F1 and use the metal core wires... peace

[MotoDave]

You can also swap coils from a CB900 which have removable wires.

[kaysystems]

You can also swap coils from a CB900 which have removable wires.

They seem to wide (at the wire attachment) to fit under my K0 tank.

David

[cben750f0]

or make a mount and fit VF1000 coils...peace

[Tim.]

or make a mount and fit VF1000 coils...peace

I like the looks of that - would the VF1000 coils work well on any SOHC?  CB550F?

[kaysystems]

I like it!!!

 

David

[cben750f0]

they are about 3.2 ohms.. so will have to check your charging system, but if its ok, you get a better spark, i am not sure how that will go with points and condensers, i am running a dyna'S', i originally had a set of '80 model cb750 custom coils, but as you ssaid they hit the insid of the tank, when trying to fit it, i then measured the distance between the coil mount holes when they were did by side and cut the '80 coil mount so that the vf coils bolted side by side with them minimun clearance between them,the  wireing colours are the same, so is just a mater of making a mount and plug and play...peace

[kaysystems]

they are about 3.2 ohms.. so will have to check your charging system, but if its ok, you get a better spark, i am not sure how that will go with points and condensers, i am running a dyna'S', i originally had a set of '80 model cb750 custom coils, but as you ssaid they hit the insid of the tank, when trying to fit it, i then measured the distance between the coil mount holes when they were did by side and cut the '80 coil mount so that the vf coils bolted side by side with them minimun clearance between them,the  wireing colours are the same, so is just a mater of making a mount and plug and play...peace

Thanks.

I'm running a Boyer Bransden ignition...the price was right...works a treat...

I'll look for coils at my favourite store...eBay

David

[cben750f0]

if you need and more pics, or one inparticular let me know and ill pull the tank and snap away... good ol dig cameras...peace

[kaysystems]

if you need and more pics, or one inparticular let me know and ill pull the tank and snap away... good ol dig cameras...peace

OK I'll keep you in mind. I think I get the picture.

David

[happyonthunder]

I'll try the wire splicers till I can score a new coil

THANKS : )

[dpen]

If you go the route of soldering on new leads, cover the area with silastic before the heat shrink-beautifully waterproof leads

[dusterdude]

does anyone know where i can get the ngk plug wire splice kit.my local dealers either dont know or dont care to find out if they can get them.thanks

[CB500_k2]

Try a bike shop.  They can order the splices for you if they do not have them in stock.  I ordered four from a local Suzuki dealer.  They are not fast moving items and the parts guy wanted to see how they worked when I got them since he had never seen on before.

[dusterdude]

groovy,how did they work out

[dusterdude]

finally found a dealer that is getting them from parts unlimited.

[dusterdude]

ok guys help me out.what does the ohm rating on a coil actually have to deal with.i mean if i replace the 5 ohm coils with 3 ohm coils,what will i run into as far as any electrical problems go.thanks

[Ibsen]

You will have more current running through the points and they will wear out(burn up) faster. What you can do is to put a 2 ohm ballast resistor inline with the power lead to the coil.

[dusterdude]

thanks for the info

[Tim.]

In case anyone is looking for splicers - 3 available:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=4542397488

[Trevor from Warragul]

I used a "bodge" I picked up in Classic & Motorcycle Mechanics.  What you do is cut the head off a small nail & then sharpen it (so it's pointed at both ends).  Cut your wire about 3 inches short of the coil, then use pliers to stick the nail halfway into the wire.  Then push on the new wire & put some heatshrink over the top.  Crude, but works really well.