Topic: Transistorized ignition, points style. First ones are ready!

[HondaMan]

Are you close to Terry and SteveK0?

Well, not in the biblical sense Mark, ha ha! Steve K0 and I both live in Melbourne and Charlie lives in Sydney, but if you want to send them all to me I'm happy to distribute them.

OK, I'll take that...I'm trying to get a cost from thePost Office, then send about 5 of them to you for everyone there.

How's your K2 coming along? Is it running yet? I ordered the PC boards to build that gold one for you (but you can't have it until you test my other one, Mom said so..).   

[Terry in Australia]

G'Day Mark, no worries mate, I might install your test ignition on the K0 rather than the K1, as I've pushed everything back to concentrate on enjoying the old beast for awhile before I start any serious restoration.

It's currently fitted with Dyna 5 Ohm coils, should I use these, or would you prefer I fit the 3 Ohm items off the K1? Cheers, Terry.

[HondaMan]

G'Day Mark, no worries mate, I might install your test ignition on the K0 rather than the K1, as I've pushed everything back to concentrate on enjoying the old beast for awhile before I start any serious restoration.

It's currently fitted with Dyna 5 Ohm coils, should I use these, or would you prefer I fit the 3 Ohm items off the K1? Cheers, Terry.

You can use those 5-ohm units, but the unit was really designed to test with the Dyna 3 ohm ones. You can decide, though... 

[clarkjh]

Will these units work with CB650 3ohm coils?  I picked up a set because they had replaceable wires.  The wires on my 74 550 are just about done in.

James

[edbikerii]

Warning to you:  3 Ohm coils on a CB550 will really tax the charging system.  I had to go back to 5 Ohm coils on mine.

Will these units work with CB650 3ohm coils?  I picked up a set because they had replaceable wires.  The wires on my 74 550 are just about done in.

James

[HondaMan]

Will these units work with CB650 3ohm coils?  I picked up a set because they had replaceable wires.  The wires on my 74 550 are just about done in.

James

Warning to you: 3 Ohm coils on a CB550 will really tax the charging system. I had to go back to 5 Ohm coils on mine.

Will these units work with CB650 3ohm coils?  I picked up a set because they had replaceable wires.  The wires on my 74 550 are just about done in.

James

Edbiker might have a point: be sure to clean your battery cable where it bolts to the engine (remove it and clean it thoroughly) while doing the 3-ohm coils bit. This will improve the otherwise marginal 500/550 charging system a little. The ignition adds a 0.2 amp load into the system, too (not much). If you have a halogen headlight, you can also swith to a little lower wattage unit, like 50/55w or 45/55w. That will also help.

[clarkjh]

Just replaced all the battery connections and wires, also did the relay for the head light.  The wiring harness connections have also been cleaned.  I will probably be putting the fairing and bags back on and will be switching these blinkers and clearance light to LEDs

James

[milunchbox]

so can you make one with a rev limiter? if so how much?

[HondaMan]

so can you make one with a rev limiter? if so how much?

Well, a rev limiter is a little out of the scope of this gadget: that feature would require about twice as much componentry. Someday, maybe, but if I do, it would be with inductive pickups that replace the points so the timing can be manipulated electronically. This box is intended to improve the existing system and reduce maintenance while providing a built-in, on-the-road backup system: it's almost a byproduct that it also improves the spark at the plugs.