Good Iron
dependable sportster?
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 751
Likes: 6
From: 500 miles south from Artic Circle
Points or Electronic hmmm... they both have own advances and disadvantages
Points: + you can fix it by "leatherman"
+ if you dry your battery, you can run with it
- adjustment/check after 3000 miles
- those advance springs...dam
Electronic: + Adjust once and that's it
+ Option to use different advance curves
+ Option to use V.O.E.S
+ No centrifugally adjusted, no more busted springs.(some models)
+ Singlefire Dualfire option
+ No spark in first engine rotation ( electric starter mode)
- If it's broken you are there..
- If battery dies you are done.
That battery issue isn't so "serious" because you usually if bike stops charging you run out of fuel before battery is totally dry.
Points: + you can fix it by "leatherman"
+ if you dry your battery, you can run with it
- adjustment/check after 3000 miles
- those advance springs...dam
Electronic: + Adjust once and that's it
+ Option to use different advance curves
+ Option to use V.O.E.S
+ No centrifugally adjusted, no more busted springs.(some models)
+ Singlefire Dualfire option
+ No spark in first engine rotation ( electric starter mode)
- If it's broken you are there..
- If battery dies you are done.
That battery issue isn't so "serious" because you usually if bike stops charging you run out of fuel before battery is totally dry.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 8,852
Likes: 2,493
From: Decatur, Alabama
When I was running points and condensor I had a catastrophic failure of the bracket that holds the entire thing together. One or maybe both of the bolts broke. No fixing that on the road.
Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
From: indiana
I have an 82 sportster with points and have never had a problem starting or running.I think its a matter of choice
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Tourer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 351
Likes: 0
From:
I've found that to keep my '81 XLS reliable is to look it over before each ride for loose bolts, etc. And I also found out the hard way to never use a pressure washer around the wheel bearings. Mine uses the stock electronic ignition and no problems with it so far. I've ridden it 40 miles round trip to work every summer and the only breakdowns were no fuel and the generator took a crap twice, but I've never had to load it on a trailer or push it.
Club Member
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 18,575
Likes: 4
From: Norfolk, VA
Magneto.....No conversion kit here! Two sets of spare points/condensers and 15 pairs of plugs...There is no such thing as too many spare parts for an 'ol Ironhead!