I'm new to the world of motorcycles and I have a 79 ironhead xlh 1000 with ano electronic ignition and want to convert to points. I've purchased the advanced timing backing plate and condenser and all that stuff as a kit. The question I'm really asking is when going to points from electronic, do I have to swap out coils for a points coil or can I run the stock coil?

 

Good question since virtually all electronic ignitions other than 1979 require use of a 3 ohm coil. The ignition coil for 1979 is a 5 ohm coil [tests between 4.5 and 5.7 if working] so it should work with points. See page 7-25 of Factory Service Manual 99484-85.

Note that many new, after market points kits are very poor quality and may fail soon or not work at all. I am not familiar with the good brands so someone else will have to comment.

A much better choice would be the Ultima electronic ignition, which many of us use ...

http://www.ultimaproducts.com/programmableignition.html
Note that you need only the complete ignition kit - you do not need the optional programming kit.

Installation is quick and easy, but these instructions will probably need some explanation which I will gladly help with ...
http://www.ultimaproducts.com/53-644_Ignition.pdf

Here it is from the best seller on eBay for this part, best price, service etc. Myself and several other forum members buy from this seller. Note that this kit is complete - there are all parts etc that you need ...
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Ultima-Progr...NXqN9c&vxp=mtr

 

You could try using a ballast resistor in series with the coil or change over to a points ign coil.

 

Why do you want to go back to points?

carl