Topic: Alternate points plate and points?

[salukispeed]

Back around 1975-6 I used an aftermarket points base plate that used Chevy dual point distributor points and had the condensor/ Capacitor mounted behind the base plate. It even had a mini toggle switch that activated a Neon lamp as a timing light. It worked very well and the tune up lasted a very long time. Does anyone remember such a thing and who made it. Or is it still around?
Thanks

[raymond10078]

Something like this?

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php?topic=79010.0

http://s2.beta.photobucket.com/user/alanshivley/media/maxi%20dwell/maxidwell004.jpg.html?sort=2&o=3#/user/alanshivley/media/maxi%20dwell/maxidwell004.jpg.html?sort=2&o=3&_suid=1360265347223031170824831649185

[raymond10078]

Guess what's on ebay right now . . . .

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Honda-Ignition-CB750-CB550-CB500-CB400-CB350-SOHC-Built-In-Dynamic-Timing-Light-/251108926971?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3a774225fb&vxp=mtr

[salukispeed]

 I didn't think it would $115 . It was nowhere near that when new back in the day. I will admit it worked well with a set of high performance Harley after market coils. It was able to fire my turbo bike at 12 lbs boost.  but I am having trouble with it for a stock 750 A. Thanks for the lead. I would have never looked for it on EBAY.

[chickenman_26]

I've been using the 750A a lot lately. So much so, that I'm bumping against the 3,000 mile points & timing interval every other month. No sweat doing it, but it's a bit of a PITA when I'd rather be riding. So I'm browsing eBay and see this seller offering the Dyna S for $117 - no tax and free shipping. Couldn't resist.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/281059112527?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
The pickups don't look like that anymore. They're about 1/3 the height and actually look like something designed in this century.

Well, I can report that the new design appears a lot more robust than the old one. And the backing plate is such an exact fit in the engine case, minor adjustment after installation was quick & easy. I had it in and the engine running in 15 minutes. So no more adjustment or parts replacement. Ever. BTW, using stock coils and wires.

Stu

[raymond10078]

I went with Pamco just before the fall of 2012.  Easy install - and seems to work fine.  I didn't have any noticeable changes - just one less thing to worry about - over time.

Did you notice any difference in how your bike starts/runs?  The most often cited change is that the bike starts quicker . . . .

[05c50]

Stu, I was wondering the same thing, any difference in the performance?

..............Paul

[chickenman_26]

Stu, I was wondering the same thing, any difference in the performance?

..............Paul

Starts quicker and idled at higher rpm. I readjusted that. With the points, I had a slight ignition glitch that caused the bike to cough intermittently - only in gear at idle rpm. That's gone now. I've got it set so the F marks are dead on at slow idle, and the full advance marks are centered over the case notch anywhere above 2500 rpm. I'm noticing on this first tank of fuel after installation that the fuel gauge seems to be registering lower fuel consumption than previously. I'll track that for several tanks.

Stu

[salukispeed]

I took the time to clean and set the points/timing one last time last night and then Rode the old Automatic ( Otto ) today to work and am occasionally seeing the same little glitch in gear and at a stop light so I broke down and ordered the same Dyna ignition. I also sat and watched the points in a dim garage with the bike running last night and it appears that each time the engine glitches/Hiccups I see a spark from one of the points. More often 1-4 but sometimes 2-3 This would usually tell me that they are dirty/contaminated. I have new D8EA plugs and brand new NGK plug caps and the coils OHM correctly If I squirt them with water the bike continues to run fine so I believe the coils and wires are in good shape. Will post my impressions when I get the ign installed. May try a set of Iridium plugs too. Thanks for the tip on EBAY. at $117 free shipping it is hard to beat. The guy with the Maxidwell wants $115.  Lets be realistic, I have wasted more money than $117 on my Bikes in the past and will in the future.

[05c50]

I'm interested in hearing about your results.

.............Paul

[chickenman_26]

I took the time to clean and set the points/timing one last time last night and then Rode the old Automatic ( Otto ) today to work and am occasionally seeing the same little glitch in gear and at a stop light so I broke down and ordered the same Dyna ignition. I also sat and watched the points in a dim garage with the bike running last night and it appears that each time the engine glitches/Hiccups I see a spark from one of the points. More often 1-4 but sometimes 2-3 This would usually tell me that they are dirty/contaminated.

Yes - it was random. But whatever caused it, it caused the bike to buck and jerk at a stop light. Interesting that it pulled smooth as silk at anything above 20 mph. I've got about 800 miles on the Dyna now, and the issue never came back.

I have new D8EA plugs and brand new NGK plug caps and the coils OHM correctly If I squirt them with water the bike continues to run fine so I believe the coils and wires are in good shape. Will post my impressions when I get the ign installed. May try a set of Iridium plugs too. Thanks for the tip on EBAY. at $117 free shipping it is hard to beat. The guy with the Maxidwell wants $115.  Lets be realistic, I have wasted more money than $117 on my Bikes in the past and will in the future.

LOL. That's how I figured. At least this was money well spent. BTW, I found the black wire feeding the rear brake switch to be a convenient place to attach the red power wire on the Dyna. It's right there with the blue and yellow coil feeds under the right side cover, so all the Dyna hookups are in the same little bundle.

Opinion so far...
Bike starts faster whether hot or cold. And now that the air temps are in the 80s, no choke required to start cold. Just two twists of the throttle to pump in a little fuel, then crack the throttle a tad and push the button. No more jerking or hesitation at idle. Fuel mileage increased slightly - consistently getting 2 mpg better than before, and without installing new plugs (Iridium installed 6,000 miles ago). So I'm glad I did it. It's one less thing to screw around with, and the timing won't change between tune ups.

Stu

[salukispeed]

Went for a forty mile ride after installing the Dyna ignition. It was easy to install and I static timed it as directed. I did choose to run the red power wire up to the black and white coil power so I could keep the engine kill switch option. The bike fired up and ran well immediately. I warmed it for about 5 minutes and then used a timing light to get it set exactly between the advance marks  when above 2,500-3,000 rpm. The bike ran very well and possibly even better than with new points installed??? Could be wishful thinking but the occasional miss at idle, in gear was completely gone. I let the bike sit for 3 hours and did not need the choke to get it running but used it to raise the idle while I put on my riding gear. So far I am very pleased. I did find that I was able to turn both of the idle speed screws down a tiny bit as it seemed a little higher than normal when fully warmed up. Next will be a set of Iridium Plugs. May drive it tomorrow to work and it will be 45 degrees in the AM to start. So far so good.

[chickenman_26]

It sounds like you and I have the exact same results. BTW, you didn't need to power the Dyna at the coils to preserve the kill switch function. Doesn't really matter, though. Either hookup works fine.

Stu

[salukispeed]

Just got back from 200 mile run after work and used 4.35 gal of gas. works out to 45-46 MPG. Mostly highway but only around 60-65 max. seems slightly better mileage and didn't hiccup or miss a single time. I am quite pleased. Next will be the round tops and cam.