Topic: Ignition choices- Breaker Point vs Electronic

[K2Pilot]

so how many of you still run the breaker point ignition systems? I do. I have no plans to "upgrade" to an aftermarket electronic system. I am just curious...

[thehammer]

there are a variety of options for electronic ignitions for the sohc four. I've been thinking about running one for awhile now but hell, points are just so cheap and easy.

theres the dyna, the pamco and the cyclex ignitions, then theres the hondaman ignition module, It's just such a hard choice I can't decide so screw it!

[seanbarney41]

that's how I feel too, maybe someday or sooner...Hondaman

[OldSchool_IsCool]

I run points with the Hondaman Module.  Very happy with it.

[tlbranth]

Points & Hondaman module. When your ignition dies in the middle of nowhere and it's electronic, you're done for. Points? I've always manages to cobble some fire.

[Skunk Stripe]

This topic again? It hasn't even been a week since the last one.
Searchfu mfkr! Can you use it? Said in Samuel Jackson voice from pulp fiction.

[kajtek]

i like the look of the elz ignition, cant afford it at the moment but thats the one i'll go for. sick of points!

does electronic ignition really fail that often? if it did wouldnt 80's bikes be droppin like flies?

ashley

[Kong]

Dyna-S, the only thing I own that has points in it is an old Roto-tiller that my father-in-law gave me years ago.

[Gordon]

When your ignition dies in the middle of nowhere and it's electronic, you're done for. Points? I've always manages to cobble some fire.

This weak argument comes up every time this topic is discussed, and it's usually stated with the word "when" rather than "if", as if all after market pointsless ignitions are programmed to fail at the most inconvenient time.  I suppose if one routinely rides out "in the middle of nowhere" without some basic spares, then it's possible this could be an issue,  but then if you're prone to doing that you have some more likely issues to worry about like a flat tire. 

If I were going to be riding far enough away from home and in areas where I would have only myself and the items currently with me to rely on, I would be carrying several spares, including a spare points plate, regardless of the type of ignition currently installed.  Even if that weren't the case and an ignition failure occurred, it's only going to affect one pair of cylinders, and these 4-cyl bikes can actually run fairly well on just two cylinders.     

And I guess all CB650 riders, as well as riders of pretty much any other motorcycle made after that time are just SOL.

[Bodi]

<yawn>
Nothing to do today so you try to stir up an old debate? Next time, try asking about changing to synthetic oil... although you aren't thinking of it of course.

Points good.
Dyna good.
B-B good.
Hondaman good.
Pick one, then criticize other folks stupidity for picking different. That's what we do here.

[KurtK]

I just installed the Hondaman ignition.   Why? Nothing wrong with my point system on my 500 it ran fine, started right up, never let me down.  I had some minor issues with points...as to where to get a decent set etc.

After putting in the Hondaman ignition...there really is a difference.  If possible it starts with 1/2 of a touch of the starter button rather than 1 touch.  It does idle better.  I think it is one of the best things I bought for my bike.

[Gordon]

Pick one, then criticize other folks stupidity for picking different. That's what we do here.

Exactly!

[JBMorse]

Well I chose to stick with the points system mostly because I simply like old technology and the simplicity of points.  Maybe simplicity is a bad word as a transistor is a hell of a lot simpler.  But, if you need a new set, I've heard many times the only points worth buying are the Honda OEM points.  When I checked last year, you could still get a whole points plate assembly from Honda, at around $80.  That's approaching the price of a Pamco transistor system.  Probably if my points wear out or my condensers ever fail, I'll spring for the Pamco system and set and forget.

[westondc]

I've kept the points on my previous bike, CB350 twin, and my current CB500 for the past 4 years. I've gotting good at adjusting points and always keep an extra complete points plate for long trips. i had a 76 CB750 with over 30,000 miles and it had a Dyna-S. that bike started on the first push of the start button even on the coldest of days and idled much better than my other bikes during warmup. personally I'm going to stick with points and try a hondaman system soon.

[shark]

Points.

They work good enough for me.

Ain't broke, don't mess with it.

[Gordon]

Ain't broke, don't mess with it.

Yeah, right!  If I lived by that saying I'd hardly ever get any work done on my bikes!

[K2Pilot]

Not trying to start a debate. Knowing the benefits of both I was merely looking for an unofficial poll to see how many chose what; not why.

[Gordon]

Not trying to start a debate. Knowing the benefits of both I was merely looking for an unofficial poll to see how many chose what; not why.

Don't worry, not starting a debate.  Just resurrecting one that's been going on for years.

[tlbranth]

K2 asked a question. OK if people give an answer?
Gordon, you try running on 2 cylinders and you'll have 2 seized pistons not too far down the road when fuel washes all the oil off the moving parts in the non-firing cylinders.

[kopptl]

i switched to the dyna-s ignition last summer, and i love it so far!!
souper easy setup, and performs flawlessly so far!

[Duanob]

Funny but this is the same debate that goes on in the boating forums as well. I've owned a few boats and the first thing I do is throw the points and condensors in the trash and replace them with a Pertronix Electronic ignitor/hall effect system. You guys worry about being left on the side of the road? Try worrying about breaking down out on the open water during a storm! I have been let down by points, never from using the Pertronix system. Moisture, rust, heat, time will kill points. Not so with the EI. So in other words I would trust my life to the EI system before points and condensors.

That being said, the choices for 4 cylinder motorcycles has me a bit confused. The closest thing I've found to a Pertronix is the Dyna-S. The point of the electronic ignitor is simplicity, heat reduction, and impervious to moisture. Not to harsh on Hondaman but why use an electronic system that still uses points? The points are the weak link in the ignition system. The hall effect ignitor doesn't create it's own heat and is not prone to rust or failure from moisture. Also I'm not sure why the electronic box is needed. All you need to do is get the right voltage spark to the coils at the right time and they do the rest. The SOHC4 is so simple it seems people over think the system. Two cylinders fire off at the same time! How simple is that? My 4 cyl boat engine fires at four diiferent times per engine cycle and there are 6 cyls and 8 cyls which get even more complicated but the Pertronix works fine for all boat and older car engines. I just wish they made one for Honda Fours as well. I like the Pamco system, it's the closest to Pertronix but the guy really needs to weather proof the circuitry which costs pennies. Where the points plate sits is a very exposed area of the bike for heat and moisture eventhough there is a gasket to seal the cover.

Anyway not to stir the debate but the guy wanted opinions and that is mine. 

[Gordon]

K2 asked a question. OK if people give an answer?
Gordon, you try running on 2 cylinders and you'll have 2 seized pistons not too far down the road when fuel washes all the oil off the moving parts in the non-firing cylinders.

Who's trying to stop anybody from giving an answer?

And like I already said:

I suppose if one routinely rides out "in the middle of nowhere" without some basic spares, then it's possible this could be an issue,  but then if you're prone to doing that you have some more likely issues to worry about like a flat tire.

If I were going to be riding far enough away from home and in areas where I would have only myself and the items currently with me to rely on, I would be carrying several spares, including a spare points plate, regardless of the type of ignition currently installed. 

The part about running on two cylinders was just a "what if" scenario, and a worst-case one at that. 

[TwoTired]

All my bikes have the original ignition on them.  The CX500 and the CB700S don't have points.  The CX500 has a known history of ignition problems/failures.  I've no complaints/issues about the CB700S.  Been working fine for 74000 miles.
The other 11 SOHC4s all have points, still working after 30 plus years.

I think the Dyna S just draws too much power and costs too much for what it does.   Pity, it has other good things going for it, and could be amended to make it great.
 
I could just never trust the Pamco.  The wild, physically impossible claims the seller makes in order to prey on the naive and exploit the free advertising/sales outlet of this forum for his own profit, make it completely undesirable, unsupportable.  (Especially at cost x 11.)

I do favor the Hondaman system.  But then, there's that cost x 11 consideration.    I just can't see the payback for me.
If I had one or two bikes, I'd probably get it, though.

IMO
Cheers,

[tlbranth]

Not to harsh on Hondaman but why use an electronic system that still uses points? The points are the weak link in the ignition system.

The electronic module reduces amperage through the points making the contacts pretty much a non-wear point. The only real wear is the part that rubs on the cam and with bakelite, it burnishes after a while so there's almost no wear. Keep that part lubed and the system stays tuned and requires almost no maintenance. If the electronics should fail, you can switch back to standard ignition.

[tlbranth]

The sohc is a pretty simple bike and pretty much EVERY topic has been rehashed. There aren't that many topics.