Topic: RE: Tytronic Electric ignition $75 from China

[Deltarider]

And what do you do when your condensers fail miles from home? Maybe carry a cheap electronic ignition that you can quickly swap in on the side of the road to get you home?

What an odd suggestion. Why would one carry an electronic ignition when a spare condenser is so much smaller. The latter is easily tucked away in the tooltray, where - it could be my lack of imagination -a complete EI is a different story...
BTW, this video may help you diagnose a faulty condenser:

At the breakerpoints a bit of sparking is normal, excessive sparking or arcing is not good and can indicate a bad condenser. In this vid the left condensor (1+4) is bad, right condensor (2+3) is good.
Video: courtesy Ulf Penner

[caluser2000]

Hel you could cary a couple on condensors in the space a EI would fit AND spare points Hell why not the whole kit and caboodle and there are no wires flailing about.

Can't say I've ever had a condenser fail though.

[Terry in Australia]

And what do you do when your condensers fail miles from home? Maybe carry a cheap electronic ignition that you can quickly swap in on the side of the road to get you home?

What an odd suggestion. Why would one carry an electronic ignition when a spare condenser is so much smaller. The latter is easily tucked away in the tooltray, where - it could be my lack of imagination -a complete EI is a different story...
BTW, this video may help you diagnose a faulty condenser:

At the breakerpoints a bit of sparking is normal, excessive sparking or arcing is not good and can indicate a bad condenser. In this vid the left condensor (1+4) is bad, right condensor (2+3) is good.
Video: courtesy Ulf Penner

Why an "odd" suggestion Delta? a Kokusan ignition assembly is smaller and lighter than a Honda points plate assembly, and will easily fit underneath the seat of most SOHC4's, do you have a limited imagination? Honda condensors fail at a much more regular basis, but why would you want to fiddle around with the 6mm(?) nuts on the side of the road, in the dark, when you could swap in a complete, reliable electronic ignition with just a 10 mm wrench, and a phillips head screwdriver from your basic Honda toolkit? I think the biggest problem for you personally would be that once you saw what an improvement it was, you'd throw your points and hokey home made ignition amplifier away, and accept that electronics have evolved, since 1972...........  

[robvangulik]

I agree totally Terry, apart from the fact that Honda supplied real JIS screwdrivers in their toolkit 

[Terry in Australia]

I agree totally Terry, apart from the fact that Honda supplied real JIS screwdrivers in their toolkit 

Very true mate.

[Deltarider]

Look, if a solar outburst can set a Canadian power plant alight, you are risking your life running an EI in Australia. What are you going to do, Terry, when such a solar burst occurs wile you're out in the outback, all by your self? It will fry your EI in a nanosecond. Nor will your phone work anymore. Send smoke signals? I bet you would fall on your knees out of gratitude when a biker, who has always kept his wits and continued running contactbreakers, would find you there and organise help. Jeeezz, as if you guys didn't experience enough problems with nature yet.

[PeWe]

I ran Hondaman ignition without condensors which worked fine most of the time. But, I got occasional misfires at higher rpms solved by return of the condensor.

Having it outside should make it to live longer.
Each condensor between blue- engine ground/ yellow- engine ground.
High temp and "pump" them is how to kill electrolytic capacitors in any circuit. Power supplies, amplifiers. (I had a back then expensive 5 channel amp that died that way, bad design.)

I bought Mallory condensors for cars I have not used yet. It was up in another thread.

I have tested cheap 630V / ~0.21uF capacitors which did not survive long, probably no +100C versions.

[Deltarider]

Anyone here tried plasma yet?

[rotortiller]

My brother in law just bought a brand new two seat light aeroplane and guess what - they still use points

These systems are different on light airplanes like Piper, Cessna etc than out SOHCs. They run as a self contained unit totally independent of the 12 volt electrical (alternator or battery). They do need more routine care than our motorcycles being much more complicated, typically the magneto gets checked every 100 hours or 12 months. The airplane engine runs 2 independent magnetos with their own spark plugs to mitigate a failure. It's old conservative, established, and litigated technology employing a deserved redundancy. If you look at the push rod valve, air-cooled, low rpm, under-powered airplane engine, engine ignition aside, it bears similarity to that of a reliable VW Beetle motor.  Interesting read: https://www.aviationconsumer.com/accessories/electronic-ignition-coming-of-age/

[Terry in Australia]

Look, if a solar outburst can set a Canadian power plant alight, you are risking your life running an EI in Australia. What are you going to do, Terry, when such a solar burst occurs wile you're out in the outback, all by your self? It will fry your EI in a nanosecond. Nor will your phone work anymore. Send smoke signals? I bet you would fall on your knees out of gratitude when a biker, who has always kept his wits and continued running contactbreakers, would find you there and organise help. Jeeezz, as if you guys didn't experience enough problems with nature yet.

Ha ha, thanks mate, if I ever ride my bike to the outback I'll throw a points plate in my bag, just in case!

[dave500]

id rather throw a 6 pack in,just in case?

[Terry in Australia]

id rather throw a 6 pack in,just in case?

Good point Dave, I'll pack both. Actually, a goony of sherry and a points plate so I can get a ride home and a bed for the night, with the locals.........

[dave500]

im only riding in the back if i hold the "plagon",better put it in "pour wheel dribe".

[Deltarider]

Yeah... and you know there's them poisonous spiders that nowadays seem to climb to higher grounds. Before you know it, you have one in your bike urinating over your costly EI, whereas points will - Tchjak! - have them decapitated rightaway.

[Terry in Australia]

im only riding in the back if i hold the "plagon",better put it in "pour wheel dribe".

I was doing some Army work in the Northern Territory in 2019 Dave, and saw many of the locals crowding the backs of old Hiluxes to the point where there was so much weight in the back, the front wheels were almost off the ground. It didn’t seem to bother the unrestrained occupants as they wobbled and wallowed all over the  highway, obviously under the influence.

What surprised me was that the cops ignored them completely, just driving around them and continuing on, maybe they’re a bit gun shy of being seen to be targeting our indigenous cousins?

[Deltarider]

Terry, after I had sold my Peugeot in Burkina Faso, I've often been in that situation, as I had to use the "taxi-brousse" to travel further on. For decades these Peugeots, either 404 or 504 have been the work horses in Africa. Mind you, the 404 has been in production over 30 years and the 504 over 37 years. In particular I remember - in an occasional nightmare - the time I was in the back of such a "baché" as these pick-ups were called. It was densely overcrowded and since I was right behind the cabin and sometimes standing up to avoid a trombosis, I could see the front wheels wildly swinging from left to right, whereas - either by guardian angels or by extraordinary skills of the driver - the car miraculously continued going in a perfect straight line. I don't know if you have seen the video, I've recently posted of that 404, still going strong. In case you've missed it, here it is:

[alacrity]

I personally do not care if it works or not.  I think EVERYONE should buy the transistorized ignition kit made by HONDAMAN, Mark Paris.

Anyone try one of these?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/electronic-ignition-for-cb500-cb550-cb750-/112029003964?fits=Model%3ACB400F&hash=item1a1572f0bc:g:hLAAAOSwGYVXCF0u&vxp=mtr

[caluser2000]

I'm quite happy with my OEM points/capacitor set up thank you. Starts first time and revs smoothly through the whole rev range so so absolutely no need to change it at all. If it aint broke don't change it is my moto wrt to the ol CB550F.

[PeWe]

Good to know all alternatives possible for our old bikes with feedback how it works.

From point related to electronic to electronic without stock advancer unit and further with rev limiter .... with throttle sensor ... Good quality for not that much money too

[caluser2000]

Good to know all alternatives possible for our old bikes with feedback how it works.

From point related to electronic to electronic without stock advancer unit and further with rev limiter .... with throttle sensor ... Good quality for not that much money too

And without too much angst PeWe as well

[Terry in Australia]

Terry, after I had sold my Peugeot in Burkina Faso, I've often been in that situation, as I had to use the "taxi-brousse" to travel further on. For decades these Peugeots, either 404 or 504 have been the work horses in Africa. Mind you, the 404 has been in production over 30 years and the 504 over 37 years. In particular I remember - in an occasional nightmare - the time I was in the back of such a "baché" as these pick-ups were called. It was densely overcrowded and since I was right behind the cabin and sometimes standing up to avoid a trombosis, I could see the front wheels wildly swinging from left to right, whereas - either by guardian angels or by extraordinary skills of the driver - the car miraculously continued going in a perfect straight line. I don't know if you have seen the video, I've recently posted of that 404, still going strong. In case you've missed it, here it is:

Wow, that is incredible, but very reminiscent of life in the Northern Territory. Usually not full of cargo, just lots of drunken locals. On top of that is the wildlife that have no brains/fear. I ruined a brand new Avis Ford Ranger truck when a mob of Kangaroos bounced into the side of the truck @ 140 KPH (speed limit) at 5am, then a few days later an eagle flew into the windscreen of another hire car (a little Hyundai) and surprisingly the Hyundai's windscreen survived, unlike the eagle. As much as the NT is a great place to visit, I'd prefer not to drive there.

[Deltarider]

On top of that is the wildlife that have no brains/fear.

I have no idea what is meant here^. Sorry.

[caluser2000]

On top of that is the wildlife that have no brains/fear.

I have no idea what is meant here^. Sorry.

He's talking about Australians in general.

[Terry in Australia]

On top of that is the wildlife that have no brains/fear.

I have no idea what is meant here^. Sorry.

In the Northern Territory (think Australia’s “Wild West) there are more animals than people, so they tend to wander into the roads regardless of what is speeding towards them at the state road’s maximum speed of 140 Kph. (90 MPH) it used to be “unlimited” so back in the day someone hitting a ‘Roo at 100 MPH was not unusual. I think, but am not sure, that parts of the “Stuart Highway” are still unrestricted? It’d be great fun for testing your bike’s upper limits legally, if it wasn’t for the wildlife....

[rotortiller]

Another years report since my 2017 install and still no issues so far. I have gone through a few sets of tires during this time. I pulled the advance cam to clean and lubricate just for fun and no heat distortion in the plastic has been noted. The bottom of the letter g is wearing off the lower logo is all I can say as a negative. So whatever you do, remember not to buy this well priced, good looking, reliable, non-partisan labeled Asian ignition because of a worn out letter "g" lol.