Electronic Ignition

[Lordcargo]

I just got a 79 R65 and am thinking of upgrading from points to electronic and wondered if anyone has ideas on different types and tips on installation.

[wilcom]

thinking of upgrading from points to electronic

I would install a Dynatek Ignition Booster from http://www.euromotoelectrics.com

You get rid of the arc across your points which was the problem...... and if the unit goes bad(never heard of that being a problem)you can change back to normal operation on the road

For $79 you have eliminated the pesky points issue and haven't added a black box to fail in BFE. How can it get better?

[Barry]

I've run a points ignition booster similar to the dynatek for 8 years with no problems.

Of the other systems the crank triggered systems are technically the best if money is no object as they eliminate the timing chain as a potential cause of timing flutter and they also allow the points to be retained for use in the event of a failure.  Whatever you do don't spend a significant sum on an expensive type of electronic ignition without also changing the coils or you won't see the full benefit. It's the coils that produces the spark while the the rest of the ignition system only times and triggers it.

This is probably unfair on those who have had a good experience but without any doubt the most complained about ignition system on internet forums is Boyer. There are people that swear by them which will be because they had the skill to install them properly  and others that swear at them because they have been nothing but a heap of trouble.

[mrclubike]

I second everything said above and I will add that I have not been impressed with  the Emerald Island or Omega system
I have not been able to get the advance to work properly and it has a random miss at idle

I have gone back to my original electronic bean can and I keep the EI in the bag as a back up

If you are into tinkering and building stuff you can make a points AMP out of a GM HEI ignition module
Just search and you will find all kinds of info on the web

I have been looking at using the GM unit with my electronic bean can 

I am already   using the Voltage reg and diode board from a Delco 10SI alternator   

[Barry]

If you are into tinkering and building stuff you can make a points AMP out of a GM HEI ignition module
Just search and you will find all kinds of info on the web

This is what I would have done if I hadn't already built mine from a kit for £10.  If you can open Word documents here is a compilation of all the different options I could find.

[mrclubike]

I was able to wire up the HEI Ign Module
It seems to work just fine
I have not rode  with it yet
But just running in the garage it runs fine and the timing is spot on

It needs to be mounted on a heat sink before I run it for very long

I am not sure this is really Better than the stock ECU
It is just tinkering

One could also use the stock BMW ECU as a Points  amp

[Barry]

Although they are not at all common in the UK, these HEI modules look very cheap and easy to source in the US. I saw them as low as $8 so carrying a spare is easily afforded.

There is a satisfaction in tinkering. One of these days I'm going to replace the original coils with a dual output coil of as low a resistance as I can get away with. I've seen some at 2.2 ohms which should provide an improvement in the spark.

[mrclubike]

Here is what it would look like with 2 coils and points 

[georgesgiralt]

If I'm not mistaken, these modules are/were used on GM cars so a Vauxhall dealer should be able to provide it. Hurry before Peugeot takes over ;-)

[Bob_Roller]

Lordcargo, if you decide to go with an amplifier and keep the stock contact breaker points system the bike came with, make sure you get the module in a good airflow location .

With the heat we have here in the northern Sonoran desert of south central Aridzona, over heating may be an issue .