Topic: Electric ignition Vs. Points

[Javier]

Is it worth buying and installing the electric ignition rather than keeping the points? Is it alot better, less maintenance, more dependable, worth the buy? What are the pro's and cons? Considering just for dependability, but have no first hand knowledge - thanks in advance.

[cmorgan47]

i kept points. 
the maintenance isn't really that hard, they work just fine, and it's a lot easier to carry an extra set of points than an extra electronic ignition.

if i started racing, i might change my mind.

[OldSchool_IsCool]

Ditto. 

feeler guages, screw driver and a points file (striker strip from a book of matches in a pinch) are all ya need.

[super pasty white guy]

I replaced my points with a Boyer Micro Digital electronic ignition.  I've been very happy with it.  Starts are easier, idle is smoother, and it's a set it once and forget it kind of thing.  Boyer even handles the advance digitally, so there's no dealing with possiblity of the mechanical advance sticking (not that this is common, I guess).

Dave

[Hockers Choppers]

I just put in the dyna ignition and coils in my 78 cb750f. It was running fine and I had the points set and timed right. Just put in the dyna stuff to get a hotter spark. I can honestly say that I can not tell a difference! But the zero maintenence will be worth the money in the long run. Plus I plan on a big bore and cam this winter, then it might be more usefull.

[nickjtc]

Us 650 riders are spoilt, of course, because the ignition on the bikes is already non-points. A PO changed to Boyer ignition on my Commando, and I admit I'm glad of that.

Bottom line: if it ain't broke, why fix it? Adjusting the points gets to be as second nature as doing the valves....... (and I don't have to do it any more, yay!)

[Bodi]

Well, if you're carying a spare points set then your faith in them is rather weak.
I installed a martek iat least 20 years ago. For insurance I carried the points plate and cam - fairly doable substitution with the Martek - but never needed it. No problems in those 20+ years, easier starting and smoother running. I check the timing adjustment every year and it hasn't changed.

[Gordon]

I don't mind most types of regular maintenance on my bikes, but adjusting points and timing is not one of them.  As many miles as I put on my 750 each year, it's nice not to have to mess with them, ever.  I put the Dyna-s on over two years ago and haven't touched it since, and it starts easier and idles smoother.  I could think of a lot worse things to spend $125 on. 

[jaknight]

     Well, this is how it is in my case.........

     I put a Dyna S on my '74 cb750 K4 about 3 years ago.  I haven't touched it since.

     It starts easier, runs better, and I believe my sweetheart gets better gas mileage........

     And, Ladies and Gentlemen, , I can add nothing to that........

     ~ ~ ~ jaknight ~ ~ ~

[SohcCBs]

I put the DynaS in my '76 SuperSport when I bought it in 2000.  I actually had to adjust the timing (a tad) for the first time this year.

[nteek754]

all I will say is DYNA S DYNA S DYNA S HANDS DOWN  THERE MOTTO SET IT AND FORGET IT

[Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er]

Installed the older Dyna III sometime in the early to mid 80's and haven't changed a set of points since, haven't had to set dwell on a set of points since, haven't burned up any points since, haven't adjusted timing since. This part of the electricals has worked flawlessly. It hasn't had a miss-fire involving this area.
In my opinion this was probably the best money I've spent on my bike. If you're going to keep your bike - do it!

I'm not saying old school points are bad. I'm saying they are old school and more trouble.

[Jonesy]

Dyna S all the way.

Hotter spark. Easier starting. Set and forget. No gradually fading power due the spark retardation from worn breaker rubbing blocks. Nuff said!

[aptech77]

Answer: YES, YES,YES and YES. NONE   

[Sam Green Racing]

I replaced my points with a Boyer Micro Digital electronic ignition.  I've been very happy with it.  Starts are easier, idle is smoother, and it's a set it once and forget it kind of thing.  Boyer even handles the advance digitally, so there's no dealing with possiblity of the mechanical advance sticking (not that this is common, I guess).

Dave

We have the same as Dave on the CR750, thought it couldnt get any better untill a set of iridium plugs came from Mike Rieck.

The Bike now starts from cold and can be off choke in less than a minute, that's on open pipes and velocity stacks.

Runs clean as a whistle and is much more responsive.

Dont think twice, do it.

Sam.

[Raul CB750K1]

My two cents is this: I have my CB750 as a classic bike, not a daily bike. It has been about 3.000 km now and no messing with points. The battery is almost flat because I use it once every other month, but it starts at the 8th or 10th kick -and I bet it has to do more with my unability to set the idle right at once, and the carb bowl filling-


I don't plan to upgrade to electronic. From my point of view, it would steal a little of the bike spirit. I may upgrade the master cylinder, but safety is something I'm more concerned with than performance or ease of maintenance. Adjusting a gap every 4k or 5k miles is not a big deal. What I may do this year, as I'm gonna have plenty of time, is tinker with thyristor or the like so the points trigger a solid state device that triggers the coil. I know, this is some kind of "electronic", but if it fails, you just have to bridge the thyristor and you are good to go.


Raul

[Ibsen]

Someone once wrote that the electronic ignition systems is the greatest  invention since the combustion engine itself.
And I belive he was right. Ask those guys with brit bikes and troublesome magnetos that have converted their bikes to an electronic ignition system. 
It might take away some soul, but it do add easier starting,reliability, better performance and improved gas milage. The CB650 have got one as standard, so there is no option, but if it had a points ignition, I would have replaced it. I converted my Kawaski to a Boyer system 10 years ago, the system have worked flawless for 42 000 miles, and I have never looked back.

[nteek754]

Hey all just another point no pun intended but you dont get any hotter spark with just the  points plate replaced need to add the coils for the hotter spark now  you wont get that  ponts bounce at higher rpms  with the dyna s but be carefull well in my case it will just keep climbing threw the power band and beyond  shift shift lol good luck  Craig in Maine  seven fifty four ever