Topic: Terry's Boneyard Barn find Budget Suzuki T500 Reanimation.

[ekpent]

I'm going to start an online petition Terry so we can see some Kaw 900 Z action out on the streets ! You must have mothballed that stuff away for awhile. Not like you don't have enough on your plate already !! 

[Terry in Australia]

Thanks Eric, I’m going to hold off on the Z1-B until I’m ready to take the head off and convert it to under bucket shims as I’m a tad worried about spitting out a shim with the big cams that are in it. (and possibly installing some even bigger cams) I’m happy with everything else but don’t want to get on the gas and destroy it. Don’t worry, it’ll be back, it’s a keeper.

[Terry in Australia]

Here's that vid, please pardon having to hold your head at 90 degrees, but regardless, you can pretty much see what the problem was.

[MauiK3]

Bad condensers, bummer.
I wonder when someone will start making some good ones.

[RAFster122s]

Bad condensers, bummer.
I wonder when someone will start making some good ones.

Honda is still making good ones, pricey...
Mallory has some for cars that should work and  I would trust, Amazon in US lists them I believe.

[PeWe]

I bought a set of Mallory after someone mentioned that model here.
I have not used them yet.
I think a pair can be squeezed inside the CB750 ign cover.

Outside use must prolong the lifetime due to a much cooler placement.
Not egg boiling temp as inside ign cover.

[grcamna2]

Do you know what electrical number/spec condensers will match our CB's ?

[PeWe]

I ordered  Mallory 400 condenser.

[Terry in Australia]

Yep, I suppose that I can’t really blame a condenser that could be nearly 50 years old, but it does make a mockery of the myth that points ignitions are better than electronics because they’re easier to fix on the side of the road.

If you have a bad condenser it’s as bad as having a bad EI pickup, you’ll have a dead cylinder (or two) and in the case of the Suzuki 2 wire condensers, one wire is soldered, not held in place with that tiny screw and nut that needs special tools to undo, it’s probably easier to swap in a spare EI ignition plate that doesn’t require any special tools.

Anyway, with that problem solved I’m now waiting for a replacement rectifier to come from the US, so I might have to drift over to my Mach III project, I ordered a big box of Kawasaki parts from Cruizinimage yesterday, the parts were cheap but most of the stuff I’ve bought from them in the past was good, but the shipping was a kick in the nuts, over $300 US. I’m really hoping they adjust the shipping back to the actual cost, but regardless I need the parts so I’ll just have to suck it up if it really costs that much.

[MauiK3]

That’s the beauty of Hondaman’s ignition. It’s easily reversible and takes the current load off the points.

[Terry in Australia]

Yep, it’s just a pity that the condensors have to be disconnected to use HM’s ignition amplifier, so it it does sh1t the bed you still have to carry those tiny spanners required to re-connect them. Not a 5 minute job on the side of the road, in the dark. Drop one of those tiny screws, and you’ll be calling a tow truck.

[seanbarney41]

You don't have to disconnect the condensors.  In fact Hondaman has not even recommended that you do so in years.  I have been running Hondaman ignition with condensors connected for years now.

[Terry in Australia]

That’s interesting Sean, the instructions that Mark sent me when he had me test his ignition amplifier was to disconnect, or completely remove the condensors. I wonder why that’s changed?

[MauiK3]

I suppose he improved the setup or just determined it was not necessary to disconnect.

[PeWe]

Condensors are needed with HM ignition. I got some misfires at higher revs when running without.
But possible to ride without when easy on the throttle.

It would be fine if condensors could be part of the ignition box, sit outside the hot area. Or just place them outside with stock ignition too.
Mallory 400 condensors can be an alternative.

If not using Dyna or "Chyna"

[seanbarney41]

That’s interesting Sean, the instructions that Mark sent me when he had me test his ignition amplifier was to disconnect, or completely remove the condensors. I wonder why that’s changed?

yeah, when I bought mine, I think around 6? years ago, the directions said the same as you, but he included a letter stating that he was testing them with condensors connected and it looked like they actually worked better.  I have tried it both ways and could detect no difference, so have just left them connected.  The bike does not have an odometer on it, so I can't give you any firm mileage  numbers, but I would estimate that was aroiund 20,000 miles ago.  Last checked, the points looked brand new and timing was still right on the money.

[Mark1976]

   I've been using the Mallory HM400 condenser's on and off for a few years now, never had a problem with them.  I've had HM's ignition on my 400f for quite a few years, condenser's are in but not hooked up,  never had a problem (its been to 12k rpm and back many times...) starts at the touch of the starter every time...

[Terry in Australia]

If I wasn’t bleeding money on the Mach III resto purchases at the moment I’d pop for the electronic ignition system from Europe. The guys on the T500 forums all recommend it, it’s not just an ignition amplifier or a rotor and set of pickups, it completely replaces the OEM magneto, ignition housing etc. it’s about $1000 AUD though so I’ve popped for a Tytronic ignition instead, $182 AUD including postage from China. One of the members here has a thread on them, easy to install and time, and he’s had no issues with his in several years of regular use. Sounds like a good deal.