Topic: Replacing ignition coils on CB500

[Guevremont_S]

Hi There,

Been lurking for some time. I purchased a 1972 CB500 that was stripped of its wiring harness, etc...

I have been looking online and in my Clymer manual for the answer and can't seem to figure out the following, my aftermarket coils have a positive and negative terminal and from what I understand the left coil fires 2nd and 3rd cylinders, and the right fires 1st and 4th..what I can't figure out is does the positive terminal of the coils go to the points (left yellow wire and right blue wire) or do I join them to the ignition switch?

I really appreciate any insight.

Thanks!

[roach374]

According to the wiring diagram in the CB500 service manual (part 14), the original coils have a Black/Black pair of wires (for the right coil) and a Yellow/White pair (for the left coil). The white from the left coil, and one of the black wires from the right coil should both be hooked together and connected to something called the "ignition switch" (which is neither the starter button, nor the key lock) via a black-with-white-stripes wire. The other Yellow and black wires should connect to the contact breaker ("points").

I also have a 1972 CB500, so I double checked on my bike, and it looks consistent with the wiring diagram. On my bike, though, both coils have one yellow and one black wire.

[HondaMan]

The Yellow and Blue wires go to the points. Blue is for cylinders 1-4, Yellow the inner two.