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Author Topic: When to replace the points and condensers  (Read 767 times)

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Offline Ellz10

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When to replace the points and condensers
« on: March 30, 2022, 03:49:18 PM »
So my bike is a '77 K7 and it's a fresh rebuild with mild mods and I'm just wondering how I can tell if I should replace the points and condensers. I thought about going with an electronic ignition, however for the first few thousand miles I'm going to stick with stock. Should I just go ahead and replace them anyways, including the felt, just because it's a fresh rebuild?

I already have to replace the blue and yellow main wiring that has the 90° flag spade terminal, because they're worn. I've been having issues trying to find the same size of those flag spade terminals. The width of my stock ones are  .33" and the screw size is  .15"    -     The smallest I've been able to find is .38" width and .16" screw size.

Also, what is the gauge size on those wires, is it 14 or 16?
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Offline ekpent

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Re: When to replace the points and condensers
« Reply #1 on: March 30, 2022, 04:05:17 PM »
Did you get a chance to run it before the rebuild ? I have a 1974 750 that is one of my main riders in the summer and very reliable and I'm pretty sure still has the original factory goodies under that little cover.
  See if you can tell if you have aftermarket stuff installed.
« Last Edit: March 30, 2022, 04:06:49 PM by ekpent »
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Offline Don R

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Re: When to replace the points and condensers
« Reply #2 on: March 30, 2022, 04:07:35 PM »
The condenser looks like one for a Goldwing.  IF your points are pitted, you can use a point file and polish with a business card to get a good surface. If you can set the gap and get the timing correct, there's no reason to replace them.
 My brother who was a motorcycle and VW mechanic always corrects me, that you burnish your points, but my reply is then why do you use a points file to do it?
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Offline bryanj

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Re: When to replace the points and condensers
« Reply #3 on: March 30, 2022, 04:46:23 PM »
Its cheaper to buy the complete points plate from Honda and it comes with the wires
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Offline Ellz10

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Re: When to replace the points and condensers
« Reply #4 on: March 30, 2022, 05:10:15 PM »
Quote from: ekpent on March 30, 2022, 04:05:17 PM
Did you get a chance to run it before the rebuild ? I have a 1974 750 that is one of my main riders in the summer and very reliable and I'm pretty sure still has the original factory goodies under that little cover.
  See if you can tell if you have aftermarket stuff installed.

It last ran in 2009, the summer that my dad had bought it for me, and it ran decent enough (definitely needed work though), and it sat in storage until winter of 2020 when I started the project.

Quote from: Don R on March 30, 2022, 04:07:35 PM
The condenser looks like one for a Goldwing.  IF your points are pitted, you can use a point file and polish with a business card to get a good surface. If you can set the gap and get the timing correct, there's no reason to replace them.
 My brother who was a motorcycle and VW mechanic always corrects me, that you burnish your points, but my reply is then why do you use a points file to do it?

I thought it looked odd, because all the condensers I see for this year are silver, but I'm not 100% sure. Maybe Hondaman can chime in if he sees this.

I'll upload a closer picture of everything in a little bit here. Everything honestly looks pretty clean and unworn.
Quote from: bryanj on March 30, 2022, 04:46:23 PM
Its cheaper to buy the complete points plate from Honda and it comes with the wires

Of the very few places that I've seen selling them, they're charging several hundred for the complete unit...
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Offline bryanj

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Re: When to replace the points and condensers
« Reply #5 on: March 30, 2022, 08:46:50 PM »
30200 300 154 Dave Silver sells for $130, try pricing genuine points and condensers seperate plus you get all the screws and the wiring
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Offline Don R

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Re: When to replace the points and condensers
« Reply #6 on: March 30, 2022, 09:45:17 PM »
 You are being very thorough. I'd just run what's there and see if it works. The condensers are normally stacked not end to end. That's why I thought goldwing they are end to end.
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Offline Deltarider

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Re: When to replace the points and condensers
« Reply #7 on: March 30, 2022, 11:41:59 PM »
Both OEM points and condensers live very long. Points surface must be clean. Don't use cartonto clean. It can leave particles which will prevent good contact. Filing is rarely needed, if at all.
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Offline Ellz10

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Re: When to replace the points and condensers
« Reply #8 on: March 31, 2022, 08:45:32 AM »
Alright, then I'll just replace that blue wire and flag spade terminal and keep everything else there and see how it all goes!

Thanks fellas


Does anyone know what gauge the wires are? Is it 14 or 16?
« Last Edit: March 31, 2022, 09:23:52 AM by Ellz10 »
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Offline eldar

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Re: When to replace the points and condensers
« Reply #9 on: March 31, 2022, 04:01:44 PM »
I've replaced the points and condensers before. They were cheap enough and did not have to be a certain brand. I think i got them from partsnmore.com years back. I mean, you can keep the old ones, up to you, but they are cheap enough to swap out whenever.
Get a set of small files, just in case.
One way to know you need condensers is if you get spikes and pits on your points. A failing/failed condenser allows those to happen sooner.
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