Author Topic: BikeBandit...highway robbery? (Read 2749 times)

bozo4onion · « **on:** May 11, 2010, 06:44:34 am »

I just looked up tuneup parts @ BikeBandit and for just points and condenser it will be $108.66. My 75' 550F seems to eat these and is now running just like I've lost another condenser(intermittent loss of 2 cyl.). Less than 1K since last tune but sat all winter. Can someone tell me where to get a condenser for less than $28? Do I have to use a Honda condenser? I'll dress the points this time. BTW, can getting stuck in traffic "cook" condensers. How long do these last for you. I've never seen one go bad til' I got the 550.

Don R · « **Reply #1 on:** May 11, 2010, 06:51:24 am »

I've seen these run 30,000 miles then sit outside for years and still work properly, how do you know it's the condenser? I wonder what would cause such an issue.

flybox1 · « **Reply #2 on:** May 11, 2010, 06:53:24 am »

http://www.sportingforless.com/servlet/the-675/HONDA-CB550-K-74-dsh-75/Detail

$25.
its probably not your condensors

bozo4onion · « **Reply #3 on:** May 11, 2010, 07:07:17 am »

I don't want to blame BikeBandit but $100+ seems way high for points and condenser. I've just replaced the plugs, PORd' the tank, rebuilt the carbs(again) and I admit I have not had time to diagnose. It's a 1-3, 2-4 thing where randomly 2 cylinders check in and out. Mostly out. Rode all day and ran great till I limped home on 2cyl. Lot of slow bumper to bumper traffic though. I'm just looking for an alternative to $28 condensers so I can tune the bike. If it is condensers (and I think hondaman said this is a #1 issue w/550s) and I don't order, I'll be waiting a week more to ride.

Don R · « **Reply #4 on:** May 11, 2010, 07:52:42 am »

I don't remember the exact price but it was cheaper to buy the entire plate, points condensers and all.

bozo4onion · « **Reply #5 on:** May 11, 2010, 08:04:54 am »

Thanks Don, you are correct. It's $74. Does anyone know of a different brand of condenser that will fit. Just checked and a Chevy 350 point set w/condenser and rotor is only $10. I'm not cheap but frugal. I don't like spending $150-$175/year to tune the bike. Any aftermarket condensers for Honda that are good?

flybox1 · « **Reply #6 on:** May 11, 2010, 08:11:53 am »

SUDCO BRAND
the ones i posted above are $25 for the whole tune up kit. 2 points, 2 condensors.

honda parts direct - $24
#30250-300-154

bozo4onion · « **Reply #7 on:** May 11, 2010, 08:22:49 am »

Fly, thanks and sorry I did not check. I asked in my post about the price of condensers and assumed you quoted $25 as a cheaper($28 Honda) condenser. I'm on my way there now. Thanks again. BTW anyone use and like SUDCO?

flybox1 · « **Reply #8 on:** May 11, 2010, 08:37:36 am »

i've been running them on my 350F for 2 years now. no probs.

asom · « **Reply #9 on:** May 11, 2010, 10:50:54 am »

I got points, condensers, all plated out of the box for 36$.

for my 78cb750. should be similarly priced I would assume.

wdhewson · « **Reply #10 on:** May 11, 2010, 06:58:08 pm »

I think almost any condenser near 0.22 uF (micro Farads) will work.

So chose from old Chevy points V-8 to Briggs and Stratton.

Electricity flows fast, so you can wire the condenser in quite distant from the points, and maybe a location thermally cooler for longer life. Don

OldSchool_IsCool · « **Reply #11 on:** May 11, 2010, 08:30:58 pm »

Consider getting a HondaMan Ignition Module. It's basically a solid state relay that trigger off your points. The advantage is that the module does all the heavy current work with only a small trickle at the points. Should put an end your points pitting and condenser death issues.

Stev-o · « **Reply #12 on:** May 11, 2010, 08:47:17 pm »

Quote from: OldSchool_IsCool on May 11, 2010, 08:30:58 pm

Consider getting a HondaMan Ignition Module.

Or get a Dyna sysytem, that's what I did fir my 550F. Didn't want to deal w/points and condensors.

tlbranth · « **Reply #13 on:** May 11, 2010, 08:52:58 pm »

I'll agree with the Hondaman ignition solution. Dunno why you're losing capacitors though.

bozo4onion · « **Reply #14 on:** May 12, 2010, 04:20:43 am »

I fired up the 550 yesterday and it started w/kick and ran great. I bet when it warms up and gets hot the condenser will drop out again just like last time. Points look pretty good BTW w/good spark. I'll search for hondaman and dyna info. Thanks all.

tlbranth · « **Reply #15 on:** May 12, 2010, 08:02:53 am »

Hondaman put out a warning about the cheap Daichi points not adjusting sufficiently. Might want to check that out. Back in the 70's when I rode my 750 a lot, I noticed that new points went out of adjustment quicker than old points did. I was pretty sure it was because the rubbing block, which was a bakelite-looking substance, became burnished with use and stopped wearing. The points themselves still got pitted and after many re-dressings had to be replaced. But with an ignition like Hondaman's you could pretty much go forever on a set of points - good points that is. Why not by new OEM points & condensers, a Hondaman ignition and call it good. I can't believe you're actually blowing condensers. In the 50 years or so I've been fixing bikes & cars, I only ever saw one condenser fail - on my 1951 Ferguson tractor. Have you actually tested the capacitors with an ohm meter? Anothe item that can act up when hot is a weak coil.

bozo4onion · « **Reply #16 on:** May 12, 2010, 08:47:49 am »

Thanks for the warning tlbranth. My first time blown condenser was last year. We really never even changed them when we tuned or cars. Been wrenching all my life (50y/o). I did buy Honda points last year and 1 Honda condenser (the other one is the one that fried this year) . I will dress the Honda points this time and ride this summer. I don't ride every day so this should last the year. Last year the bike would lose 2cyl., I forget if 1-4 or 2-3, when hot. Then I started losing the 2 sooner and sooner. Always started and ran fine when cool. This year I'm getting good spark at points and (new) plugs until the bike gets hot. I ordered some SUDCO condensers and I bet this solves the prob. I have a VOM but not a good enough one to test caps. Thanks again.

Duke McDukiedook · « **Reply #17 on:** May 12, 2010, 08:56:55 am »

Could be one of your coils going bad if it heats up and 1-4 and 2-3 goes to pot.

edit *whoops, top o' the head*

bozo4onion · « **Reply #18 on:** May 12, 2010, 10:15:45 am »

Are coils 1-4, 2-3 or 1-2 3-4?

OldSchool_IsCool · « **Reply #19 on:** May 12, 2010, 04:22:41 pm »

The coil on the BLUE wire fires cyl 1.4. YELLOW does 2.3

bozo4onion · « **Reply #20 on:** May 17, 2010, 03:29:00 am »

FYI I just received the sporting.com points and condenser recommended by flybox. They are the dreaded Daichi points. They are pure sh!t and the most poorly made units I've seen.

tlbranth · « **Reply #21 on:** May 17, 2010, 09:07:44 am »

Dangdest thing is, the originals were that same brand. I still have several old plates from the 70's. They must've outsourced to China or something.

bozo4onion · « **Reply #22 on:** May 17, 2010, 09:14:36 am »

When I bought the bike 2yrs. ago PO ran TEC points. I ordered Honda (parts direct w/honda part #) and got TEC again. TEC look good with the metal looking thicker and machined w/a texture to stay put on the plate. I'm doing Hondaman ignition module and I'll dress and (re)use the 1y/o TEC before I install Daiichi crap. They claim to be Japanese BTW.

Bob750 · « **Reply #23 on:** June 30, 2010, 07:38:08 pm »

I know this thread is old, but I found it while searching for points info.

Honda always and only used TEC and ND points. Reason: they are the only ones that don't suck.

"A word or two about the points assemblies themselves. Honda used only two brands of points on the SOHC Fours: TEC (Toyo Electrical Company) and ND (Nippon Denso). These points are best because they're made the best: the pivots have the least slop, the steel bracket is the stoutest and flattest, and the contacts are the most resistant to burning. There are of course several aftermarket point assemblies available to fit the SOHC Four, among them Mitsubishi and Diachi, but Honda never used these inferior products as original equipment on the Fours. Their poorly stamped, light gauge, rounded backs cause them to change timing when the screws are tightened, their springs are not as firm, and their insulating washers are flimsy. In a word, they're junk." -- Mike Nixon

Also, Re: Bike Bandit. I order from them most times I need something. They're close and they're cheap and they make stuff pretty easy to find.

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Author Topic: BikeBandit...highway robbery? (Read 2749 times)

wdhewson