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First you have to get rid of your computer, get a manual typewriter and mail in your post,
J/K, you don't actually need the typewriter, good ole pencil and paper will do.
By the time Evos came around, the electronic ignition was pretty reliable. But OK...
I did it years ago on my Shovelhead. It had the first year electronic ignition (junk).
You need this...
J&P Cycles part #3800210.
Use Blue Streak points. They last longer, and you can get them in any auto parts store (same set as used in old 6-cylinder Chevy).
By the time Evos came around, the electronic ignition was pretty reliable. But OK...
I did it years ago on my Shovelhead. It had the first year electronic ignition (junk).
You need this...
J&P Cycles part #3800210.
Use Blue Streak points. They last longer, and you can get them in any auto parts store (same set as used in old 6-cylinder Chevy).
That's part of it.
What hooks up to where?
Do I need a different coil?
I'm getting old and have forgotten a lot of **** over the years.
I haven't had a points bike since I sold my Pan almost 40 years ago.
By the time Evos came around, the electronic ignition was pretty reliable. But OK...
I did it years ago on my Shovelhead. It had the first year electronic ignition (junk).
You need this...
J&P Cycles part #3800210.
Use Blue Streak points. They last longer, and you can get them in any auto parts store (same set as used in old 6-cylinder Chevy).
I must Disagree on the original (1979 I believe) ignitions bein Junk... they were universally Mistrusted by the "faithful"... nearly All were removed... Mine is still going strong in my '79...and I picked up an Extra...for Nothing.. just in case the Rumors were true..
Now... on to the Points stuff... I would Not... as the Quality of available components is literally a Crap Shoot... Condensers are generally Crap from the Git..
Mechanical advance Mechanisms...also Iffy. Do Not forget that a Coil for Points is also Critical... 5 ohms if you can Find one.. Do Not use Chiwanese Components ... the points plate especially.. Go to a swap meet and get an O.E. Points Plate..
I have Yet to experience any Problems with the later '80's H-D Ignition... super simple...and last a very long time indeed... I always put a Sportster Module on my Big Twins because the Curve is more aggressive and the Rev Limiter is higher..
If you Must go with those Mostly terrible mechanical advance mechanisms... Inspect and Lube twice a Year... and use the good ole Dyna-S... wires almost the same as the Points, to a 5 ohm coil...
$0.02
Last edited by Racepres; Jun 29, 2022 at 09:13 AM.
After speaking with a local guy I trust I decided to just replace the sensor.
He told me with the high humidity here, almost everyone that his shop deals with that have gone to points complains of issues with the moisture which is something I hadn't thought about.
When I had my Pan and lived in Seattle rain was an issue but that was with the OEM distributor that was prone to leaking. .
That's probably best, IA.
I've thought about going Dyna-S on my Shovel, but my points still work well. That bike starts so fast, you almost don't hear the starter turn.
After chasing what I thought was a carb issue, I finally took a peek in the cone and find this.
Could have saved myself a lot aggravation by using the KISS school of thought a while back.
I’m surprised there is really very little visible indication outside the cone that the **** had melted.