Topic: How often should you expect to replace points?

[AwesomeCB]

Short of some kind of failure, how do you know if/when to replace points? I have no idea how long they last. Yes, I'm aware of the benefits of electronic ignition

[tlbranth]

The phenolic rub blocks wear a bit when new and require a re-timing. After a while, though, they become burnished and don't seem to wear any more. The points themselves will become pitted and require filing and re-timing. I used to do this every 500 miles or so and replace the points every 3 or 4 thousand miles. Since I've put on a Hondaman box, though, I don't touch the points anymore.

[CBGhia]

+1 on the Hondaman box.  I ran one for years and never had to adjust the points in the 4-5 years I had it on there.

The only reason I took it off was because I killed that engine.

I might end up putting it on my goldwing or on my VW.  We will see.

[TwoTired]

Look at the points cam.  If it has grooves in it, the rubbing block wears very fast.  Ideally it should be polished smooth.  And use a good points cam grease to minimize wear.

I have points with over 15K miles on them and they still work fine.  I do recondition the contact surfaces every 6K miles or so with a points file (never any grit paper).

I also use stock coils.  They are very efficient and don't draw stupid current through the points.

cheers,

[ekpent]

 I am embarrassed to admit maybe but on all of my 750's I have never changed points,just filed and cleaned, and am running what they came with when I bought them. The one I ride the most which I bought many many years ago it has been a few years since I even looked at them while checking the timing back then. Just been lucky I guess ? Can't even remember if or when I ever bought any .

[Johnie]

I am on the same bike as Eric, but I put in new points and condensers when I first tuned them up. Have not done anything with them since. Did put some grease on the rubbing block like we did in the old days on cars with points. But each of the bikes I ride have not been messed with since I tuned them. Miles on those new points is between 5,000 and 10,000. They all run great so I am not going to mess with them until I need too.

[PeWe]

Polish the points cam is one good thing if it has scars.
I grinded my old with grit 240 followed by 400, 800 to remove most of old pittings.
Another unit I have needed just a little of 400, then 800. (Low mile unit)
Lithium grease on the cam and ”sponge”.

[Deltarider]

Honda does not prescribe an interval to replace the breakerpoints. Believe it or not, I've replaced my genuine TEC points only once, be it that the 'second' set of points ran mostly with my transistor ignition module which stops the points pitting altogether. I would say that, provided you run the stock coils, you can expect a lifetime of at least 40.000 kms. With a transistor ignition, they'll live forever. Mine serve close to 60.000 kms now. Just see to it that the little felt has some oil in it and the cam is a bit greasy. I never file my points, I simply clean them by sliding a business card between them.   

[lrutt]

Look at the points cam.  If it has grooves in it, the rubbing block wears very fast.  Ideally it should be polished smooth.  And use a good points cam grease to minimize wear.

I have points with over 15K miles on them and they still work fine.  I do recondition the contact surfaces every 6K miles or so with a points file (never any grit paper).

I also use stock coils.  They are very efficient and don't draw stupid current through the points.

cheers,

+1. I can't remember the last time I replaced points on one of my bikes, but it's been over 20 years. They don't get that many miles, maybe 10k to 15k. It's very important to keep the advancer and points rub block lubed for sure. This is the case for all my bikes, Jap, Brit, etc. Just never have a points problem.

[Johnie]

I always use the TEC points too.

[cooldrum]

I second the use of TEC points.  I've used the less expensive brand, nothing beats the original ones.  Take your time to set them up.  And they hold their settings.  They are made stronger too.  Cost a bit more, but are worth the investment.

[PeWe]

The condensers might be different story when talking about duty time.
I have not checked my old TEC condensers on a plate I replaced 1980.
Maybe still alive?

Hondaman ign module has less use of perfectly working condensers.
I have runned my bike without but I noticed some ocassional misfirings at higher rpms. Condensers fixed that.

[dbenton]

Good info on points life and wear issues. Yes, the Hondaman box works well.

[Spanner 1]

If you do install the Hondaman unit, make sure that your points cover gasket seals fully as any moisture/ water that may get in there could foul the ground path of the very small current applied to the points with that unit. Result would be misfire or no fire on 2 or even 4 cyls. Rare, but has been reported.

[PeWe]

Spray with WB-40 fix condense as it did on 1970’ cars? I had a Ford Taunus -73 with V6 engine were I had to spray the ignition when it got condense really easy.