Points vs Electronic
Tourer
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 272
Likes: 1
From: Salem, Oregon
RE: Points vs Electronic
I did run a Dyna S dual fire on mine for about a year back in 94. It would occasionaly kick back on the starter like it was advancing the timing too soon. Would do it about 1 in 10 times. Didn't matter if bike was cold or warm or how I timed it. So I took it back out and went back to points, no problems. Then about 3 years ago I tried a Crane HI-4 single fire system. Worked great for about 3 months. Loved it until the system acted like the rev limiter was on. My timing was so screwed up it blued my new Vance and Hines pipes. I was way out in the pucker brush so I had to ride it home barely running. I put the points back in and no problems.
After all that I still want to get electronic back in it but I'm a little leery. The older I get the lazy-er I get so I may just try out the Mallory set up this summer. Third times a charm right?!
After all that I still want to get electronic back in it but I'm a little leery. The older I get the lazy-er I get so I may just try out the Mallory set up this summer. Third times a charm right?!
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Points vs Electronic
Thanks for all the info - much appreciated. My bikes in the shop now for this and just a general check over. But I think the ignition question will be raised so I wanted to be able to address the issue more intelligently. Points never bothered me since one of the best cars I ever had used 'em. But they can leave you stranded too if you don't have a spare. I just want dependability and "easier" starting. I could switch to points and just change 'em out every year but my experience with electronics have been pretty good in cars.... but maybe shovels are a little harder on electronic stuff... ?My indie is pretty knowledgable on this stuff, so I'll probably follow his lead and let y'all know what he says. Thanks again and any other info greatly appreciated.
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Points vs Electronic
Here's an update. Bike is still in the shop, but here's what they said so far. I'm a little embarrassed but here goes anyway. Turns out the spark plugs were not the best match. This is one of those ***-YOU-ME things... The guy I bought the bike from has a shop in town, which the main focus is hot rods, very impressive and in talking with him and seeing his work, seems to know his stuff, so I didn't even think to question his choice of spark plugs. The first thing the indie shop did was switch out the plugs for some Harley's and it started up 1st kick. Started stopped, several times no problem. There are other issues with the throttle/idle cables and the kick bar, but overall the plugs were the culprit. DOH!! This is a lesson, I've run into on several occasions and maybe it will stay with me this time. Check the simple stuff first. I don't have the bike back yet, but will post another update as soon as I can. One other thing he mentioned I thought was interesting, if a bike is set up properly, tuned and timed, it should fire on the first kick when warm, 1 to 3 kicks when cold. He also suggested I stick with electronic ignition, no real advantages in points or elec, in his opinion, either way.
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Cruiser
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 105
Likes: 0
From:
RE: Points vs Electronic
He didn't say what the exact serial number was, just that they were Harley plugs. I'll find out, but I'm thinking they were probably 5R6A's or the like. They are also scheduled to do a compression test and look at some other things because they weren't totally happy with the resistance while kicking. Didn't think it was anything serious, just being thorough trying to get it to exactlythe way it should be. And since this is my 1st shovel and I have no idea of how it should be, I'm good with that. More later..
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