Starting issues

[Barry]

I thought buying some replacement ignition leads would be easy, seems that is a bit of a minefield also. Does anyone have any recommendations on what / where to buy from in the UK.

I would buy old fashioned solid copper core ignition lead and NGK sparkplug caps.

If you can't get them locally this place has both the leads and the NGK LB05F caps http://www.autoelectricsupplies.co.uk/category/13

[jamestnewsonr65]

Thanks for that Barry, do you know what type of HT cable would be best? Not sure what the spec needed is.

[Barry]

Main thing is you don't want the suppressed cable with the resistive core. Plain 7mm with a copper core either PVC sheathed or silicon sheathed would be fine, whichever you prefer.  The caps will screw on one end but you will need new brass terminals on the coil ends or solder on the ones from the old cables.

[montmil]

...you will need new brass terminals on the coil ends or solder on the ones from the old cables.

Years ago, when I replaced the Bosch Crack-O-Matic on one of my R65s, I also deleted the old spark plug wires and caps. New wires and NGK caps were sourced from MikesXS, a Florida-based vendor that specializes in bits for the Japanese Triumph, aka Yamaha XS650. https://www.mikesxs.net/ Lots of Airhead friendly goodies available for your wiring needs, etc.

The plug wires brass, soldered-on fittings that insert into the new coil were in sad condition so I checked in at the local FLAPS for replacements. Counter clerks looked at me as if I was from the last century... which I actually am. Anyway, It was a seasoned auto parts gentleman that said, "I think we've got some of these in the back."

[jamestnewsonr65]

Thank you so much everyone for the comments, tips and advice.

I fitted the new AGM battery (Much smaller than the original) today along with a test of the new HT leads and coil, and it started 1st time. Fired right up.

This forum is invaluable for people like me who have limited technical knowledge, but wiling to try and fix them. I've learnt how to make up HT leads and a bit more about the bike in the process.

Just need to make a bracket for the coil to be mounted to now and i'm done.

Thanks again.

[montmil]

Many of us here in the USofA buy our Dyna coils from Rick Jones' Motorrad Elektrik. http://www.motoelekt.com/ They come with a nice aluminum mounting bracket and the needed hardware. The bracket has an L-shaped flange that bolts to the OEM coil mount. The photo explains the rest. Don't cheap out on a thin piece of bent metal; the vertical up n' down motion of the bike might crack something thin.