Topic: Electronic Ignition for a 1974 cb550

[zx12r]

does anybody know if a Electronic Ignition for a 1980 cb650 would work on a 1974 cb550. i think it's stock on the 650 . thanks

[bryanj]

Nope, or at least not without lots of mods

[johnmw]

Just put one from a 1979 CB650 in my 1975. Was not too much of a hassle. Had to be a bit of basic wiring, grind a spare point plate flat then rivet the pickup coil assembly too the point plate. Oh yeah, the pin that engages the crank is smaller on the 650 advancer, shimmed it with a piece of Stainless tubing. It took about $ 50 or so worth of parts off of Ebay. Come to think of it, it was a pain ( took almost 2 hours ), however, I am extremely happy with the results !! And that cast point cover beats the crap outa that chrome plated soup can thing the CB550 came stock with.  Should I take pics and post them someplace ??

John

[zx12r]

thanks for the quick reply's, so i would have to switch backing plates? how hard was the wiring to figure out? pics would be appreciated! thanks

[johnmw]

Yeah, the 650 plate is a bit smaller. When it is placed on top of the 550 point plate it makes the pulse generator pickups line up perfectly. I had to open the hole in the middle of the point plate the same size as the 650s pickup plate, then center the two and pop rivet the two together. Wiring was straight forward, just had to run a line to the coil feed ( black/white ) and a ground wire for each ignitor. I can do a step by step if needed. I'm working on pics, however, my camera is a cheap one and pics are not too great.

[zx12r]

thanks once again, the pic helped alot. i think i'm going to give it a try. i forgot how much fun points were. Electronic Ignition's has to be one of the best inventions for gas motors.

[zx12r]

does this setup look the same as the one you used, this is from a 1980 cb650

[johnmw]

Yeah, that is exactly what I ended up getting. The ingitors can be spendy, but, if you watch closely a set will show up cheap ( sooner or later ). I probably have a spare set around here somewhere ( sloppy bidding, I got 2 sets ).

John

[zx12r]

you mention the point cover ( that cast point cover) will i have a Clearence problem with the stock point cover, it looks like the igniters might stick out a little more than the points. thanks once again.

[Clyde]

It maybe less expensive to get a Dyna S for $120 NEW. They fit easily and are very reliable

[johnmw]

Yes, there is a clearance problem with the stock "stamped" point cover. Yes, it will be less hassle and take less time to buy the kit from someone like Z1 ( $ 120 plus shipping ).  As to dependablity, I can't tell any difference between what I am running and and the Dyna-S. The setup I installed from the 79 CB650, doesnt have a 1 year waranty and is made from 29 year old parts. Does that make it worse

John

[zx12r]

Yes, there is a clearance problem with the stock "stamped" point cover. Yes, it will be less hassle and take less time to buy the kit from someone like Z1 ( $ 120 plus shipping ).  As to dependablity, I can't tell any difference between what I am running and and the Dyna-S. The setup I installed from the 79 CB650, doesnt have a 1 year waranty and is made from 29 year old parts. Does that make it worse

John

i like doing things myself and saving money at the same time, i can get the cb650 ignition for around $30, i'll have to check on the cb650 cover.

[johnmw]

Personaly, I like the looks of the 650s ignition cover.

[zx12r]

Personally, I like the looks of the 650s ignition cover.

i agree, it does look better, and it looks like it belongs on the bike! your 550 engine looks good, did you polish it.

[johnmw]

I was born with a spray can in my hand, much to my mothers dislikes. I painted everything with a spray can, I would be lost without Dupli-Color !!!

[zx12r]

installed the Electronic Ignition off of a cb650, 1982, on my cb550 1974, for around $50, from ebay, working great, bike runs just a little stronger, smoother. wasn't real hard to do if you can read a wiring diagram from a (cb650), everything in this thread is what i did, (from johnmw, thanks). going to carry my points and advancer on the bike for a little while, just in case, could reinstall them on the road in a few minutes.

[Ecosse]

Thanks for the update; good to know the options too.

[new2bikes-again]

Hi johnmw & zx12r, I'm hoping you guys are still on here! I have a pulse set and advancer (from an 82 cb650) on it's way. I plan to convert a 74 cb550 like you guys did.

I started to get a little worried while reading a post on here about a 650 ignition problem. Someone posted a diagram for the ignition and it shows a "Spark Box" under the seat.

I never gave your conversion a 2nd thought, due to the fact that I replaced my points on an 80s boat and it required nothing but a different coil (resistance). You guys are not running a spark box, right? Can anyone tell me where I'll be running those four wires (blue & yellow I think). I know I don't have the parts yet  just wanted to get a head start if I Definitely need more parts. Thanks in advance.   

[new2bikes-again]

Has anyone else done this conversion? The wiring is the only thing I'm worried about. johnmw says "just ran a feed to each coil (black/white) and a ground for each ignitor".

I'm going out to the garage right now to get everything mounted on the bike. I'm going to run the wires up near the coils and stop.

[zx12r]

Has anyone else done this conversion? The wiring is the only thing I'm worried about. johnmw says "just ran a feed to each coil (black/white) and a ground for each ignitor".

I'm going out to the garage right now to get everything mounted on the bike. I'm going to run the wires up near the coils and stop.

You also need the (Ignitor).  Heres one on ebay, not sure if this is the one you need, but it looks like the one I used. A great guy on here sent me one for free, I didn't realize I needed the Ignitor either.   I sold the bike shortly after I installed the electronic ignition and don't remember the wiring, but I just went by the cb650's wiring diagram . Good Luck

http://www.ebay.com/itm/80-81-82-Honda-CB650-CB650C-CB750-CB900-CDI-Ignitor-MPS-200-/140767041576?pt=Motorcycles_Parts_Accessories&hash=item20c65e9828&vxp=mtr

[new2bikes-again]

Thanks for the quick reply. I've been learning the same lesson for 34 years now: If it seems too good to be true, there must be a catch! Bummer

Do you remember if you used your stock coils? I'm going to order that ignitor tonight. If you think of something that could help, please drop a line. Thanks again for your help.

 

[Spanner 1]

My mind goes blank when i see folks going to all kinds of expense and hassle to replace the stock points set-up for no reason... spend all that time/energy/ money on all new stock set-up and ride worry free... but only if that's what you wan't ( the trouble free part  ).

[w1sa]

...what Spanner 1 said......also, the other electronic trigger options now available with relatively simple/non invasive installations e.g Pamco , Hondaman. should be considered.

If you want to proceed with the 650 electronic ignition, you will need 2 of the 'spark' units/ignitors.........you also need to dimension the conversion before starting.....here are some thoughts to consider.

The electronic ignition requires a coil(s) with a faster rise time...the standard (elect.) ones were about 2.5 ohm (3 ohm Dyna or similar would work well)......this ignition probably only provides about half the dwell time (variable) of the standard points ignition, so 5 ohm coils would be inadequate....your electrical/charging system will need to be kept  in good shape, with no unnecessary extra loads.

You will have to adapt the existing wiring/harness to the pulse generator(s) and (especially) the 'spark' unit(s)  requirements...etc..

You will need to ensure the advancer/dynamic timing are acceptable for your installation.......etc   

If you have access to cheap used parts in known good condition, it could be e relatively cheap and successful conversion..........if you get stuck with bad parts or having to buy new, it could be an expensive , even disappointing exercise.....................

[new2bikes-again]

Thanks guys. My points were giving me problems. When I went to gap them, I noticed that the plate was advanced all the way. I lightly sanded them, put the plate in the middle, gapped them, tried to time them, and they wouldn't. I could get the 1-4 in time, but not 2-3. (2-3 would run out of travel). When I set 2-3, 1-4 was out. Sometimes I could get both close (with one set at .012 and the other at .014), but then they didn't advance properly.

Spanner 1, did you read from the beginning of this thread from 2008? I thought for $10 or $20 more than stock points and condensers, I'd convert to electronic. The two guys who had already done this on this thread seemed to have great success. I thought "Dyna + Coils + Wires=$300.00", "No way suckers"! I've got a poor man's conversion up my sleeve!

Yeah..Who's the sucker now =This Guy, Right Here! BTW, I did order that SINGLE CDI box last night..Now I have to beg the seller to cancel. If he does, then I have $60.00 in the pulsers, advancer, and cover. If he doesn't, then I have $101.00 wrapped up in something(s) I can't use!

[new2bikes-again]

Just in case somebody stumbles on to this conversion (like I did), I would've had $150.00 tied up in it. I just had a Pamco delivered to my door for $106.00! Installing the plate and advancer took about 15 min. I took my time with the wiring and ran it like the old stock connectors, bout an hour. Then 5 min. to time it with a timing light. I have 125 miles on it so far, and love the 40mpg.

The $68.00 I ended up spending on the failed electronic conversion really only bought me a new-to-me ignition cover that's in better shape than the old shallow thin one. $20.00 would've been better!