Author Topic: Electronic Ignition and Iridium Plugs - Are they worth it?  (Read 1690 times)

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Offline NickRafAcosta

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Electronic Ignition and Iridium Plugs - Are they worth it?
« on: March 25, 2018, 10:28:47 AM »
Hi all,
Getting my 1975 Honda CB750F Supersport restoration project all ready to go, and I've come to the crossroads of what to do when it comes to the ignition. I like riding my bikes fast (but safe) on the highway when I go across town here in Toronto, and I don't exactly want to deal with points anymore, So I was thinking of swapping out my points for a Ultimate Pamco Ignition Kit, that comes with the the electronic Ignition Unit as well as some Ultimate High Output Coils, and all the things in between to install them onto the bike.
In addition to this, I was thinking of adding iridium spark plugs to the mix for those supposed extra 1-2 HP.
These things claim to make the bike run more smoothly, start faster, and most importantly add more power, but my question is before I drop a few hundred for all of this, does it really work, and is it worth the 500 bucks it costs?
Nick
p.s. - I'm not going to bore out the engine ever or add any CR carbs while I have this bike, but wondering if these "upgrades" will give me some more horsepower

Offline Jerry Rxman Griffin aka MuthaF'er

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Re: Electronic Ignition and Iridium Plugs - Are they worth it?
« Reply #1 on: March 25, 2018, 10:52:52 AM »
To me it's more about eliminating maintenance items. ie points, condensors, old style plugs. set em forget em things is what I'm after. If your parts work fine stick with them. If they NEED replacing then upgrade if you can afford to do so.
As of today 3/13/2012 my original owner 75 CB750F has made it through 3 wives, er EX-wives. Free at last.  ;-)

Offline seanbarney41

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Re: Electronic Ignition and Iridium Plugs - Are they worth it?
« Reply #2 on: March 25, 2018, 10:53:29 AM »
Every time I come across a bike with Iridiums, it's not running, and they end up getting chucked in the trash...not very scientific, just my experience...
If it works good, it looks good...

Offline bwaller

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Re: Electronic Ignition and Iridium Plugs - Are they worth it?
« Reply #3 on: March 25, 2018, 01:38:57 PM »
Agree with Sean. For the life of me I never had luck with high end plugs in my 750 for the street. The bike suffered at idle and it just was never happy.

In the race engine though, it's a no brainer.  Iridiums work at high rpm.

Offline Cb750 Racer

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Re: Electronic Ignition and Iridium Plugs - Are they worth it?
« Reply #4 on: March 25, 2018, 01:44:48 PM »
Agree with Sean. For the life of me I never had luck with high end plugs in my 750 for the street. The bike suffered at idle and it just was never happy.

In the race engine though, it's a no brainer.  Iridiums work at high rpm.
+1 on this comment d8ea plugs will work just fine for any bike on the street. For 500$ get the power arc ignition which would definatley add a few ponies from the dual spark feature.
Turbo Billet Block cb750
1975 Honda CB400f
1972 Suzuki GT750J
1984 Kawasaki GPZ900 Mr.Turbo Top Gun build
2002 Suzuki Bandit 1200 Turbo
1979 Honda CBX
1990 Mr.Turbo Kawasaki ZX11
And Dozens More...

Offline Medyo Bastos

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Re: Electronic Ignition and Iridium Plugs - Are they worth it?
« Reply #5 on: March 25, 2018, 01:59:10 PM »
I prefer champions.


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Offline PeWe

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Re: Electronic Ignition and Iridium Plugs - Are they worth it?
« Reply #6 on: March 26, 2018, 04:50:59 AM »
My bike has got different plugs but always ended up with NGK D8EA that work fine. NGK 5kohm caps. Denso X24ES-U has worked fine too last year.

Points work fine if you set it properly, make sure that the point plate can not move sideways when loosen the 3 bolts . If it can the points gap will always change when adjusting the ignition or just loosen the 3 bolts and the engine will run as crap when the points are not exactly the same. Points must be set with a dwell meter to adjust them equally. You hear when they are correct, a beautiful idle, no wrong ideas about synching carbs or change jetting.
This describes it all
http://www.motorcycleproject.com/text/sohcign.html
found here
http://www.hondachopper.com/garage/garage.html

Good set of TEC points with Hondaman ign module work fine on a street bike.  Dyna 5 ohm coils. That is what my K6 has and my K2 build will get.
If my bike should be a racer it should get a Dyna 2000 (adjustable advance curve) or better if there is any for the old CB750. With best coils  since charging problem is not important.
CB750 K6-76  970cc (Earlier 1005cc JMR Billet block on the shelf waiting for a comeback)
CB750 K2-75 Parts assembled to a stock K2

Updates of the CB750 K6 -1976
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,180468.msg2092136.html#msg2092136
The billet block build thread
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,49438.msg1863571.html#msg1863571
CB750 K2 -1975  build thread
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,168243.msg1948381.html#msg1948381
K2 engine build thread. For a complete CB750 -75
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,180088.msg2088008.html#msg2088008
Carb jetting, a long story Mikuni TMR32
http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,179479.msg2104967.html#msg2104967

Offline 02z06dave

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Re: Electronic Ignition and Iridium Plugs - Are they worth it?
« Reply #7 on: March 26, 2018, 08:12:25 AM »
I've never installed a pamco, but i always put electronic ignitions on my bikes and I think its a worthwhile upgrade. Once you get them dialed in, you never have to touch them again. They're pretty simple to set up and get dialed in too. Of course, so are points. I've never tried iridium plugs, though. I always just stick with NGK or sometimes champion, if thats all they have at napa.

Offline Bankerdanny

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Re: Electronic Ignition and Iridium Plugs - Are they worth it?
« Reply #8 on: March 27, 2018, 03:50:28 PM »
I like EI in general, but seriously doubt a 2-3% increase in power from plugs alone is likely.
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Current: '76 CB750F. Previous:  '75 CB550F, 2007 Yamaha Vino 125 Scooter, '75 Harley FXE Superglide, '77 GL1000, '77 CB550k, '68 Suzuki K10 80, '68 Yamaha YR2, '69 BMW R69S, '71 Honda SL175, '02 Royal Enfield Bullet 500, '89 Yamaha FJ1200