Boxer Bolshie's '84 Restoration and Rant

[Boxer_Bolshie]

I am a bit confused about my ignition sensor.  The guy I bought the bike from said that the guy he bought if from either had the original electronic ignition and switched to a points canister but that he switched it back to the electronic OR the other way around.  My ignition canister looks just like a points canister.  How do I tell them apart?

Mine:

[MR.E]

mirrors will look good, loads better than stock!
Are you keeping the bike original or altering other bits??

[Boxer_Bolshie]

I want to upgrade anything I can safely upgrade to without compromising reliability.  Going for a 50/50 power to efficiency ride and a dash or two of comfort and convenience

[Boxer_Bolshie]

Just found out that the before mentioned mirrors were chromed plastic (ew!) so I just picked up these

They fit airheads

[wilcom]

My ignition canister looks just like a points canister.How do I tell them apart?

Open it up and look inside. Do you have a set of points in there? The condenser on the outside is suspicious of a points set up.

[Boxer_Bolshie]

I'm thinking it's points.  So knowing the science behind what it does, what are recommendations (if any) on what to do: should I "upgrade" to the stock electronic system or maybe an aftermarket can such as an ALPHA Ignition System (www.motoelekt.com/alpha.htm) or should I keep what I've got because it's better than anything else?

[montmil]

You can have some educational Airhead fun by tracing the wires from the connector blocks using the R65 wiring diagram. Wire colors are shown.

I'd be willing to bet Mitt Romney's $10,000 that there are way more Dyna coils rocking Airheads than the EnDuraLast. If you haven't yet hooked up with Rick Jones at MotorradElektrik, do so soon.  [smiley=2cents.gif]

[montmil]

... should I "upgrade" to the ... ALPHA Ignition System (www.motoelekt.com/alpha.htm)

Buy the Alpha from Rick. It's so damned expensive but rebuild friendly. We need a forum member to be the first. Go fer it!  

[Boxer_Bolshie]

... should I "upgrade" to the ... ALPHA Ignition System (www.motoelekt.com/alpha.htm)

Buy the Alpha from Rick. It's so damned expensive but rebuild friendly. We need a forum member to be the first. Go fer it!  

Anyone want to donate for the cause?

[Boxer_Bolshie]

Finally got around to fixing the bunged up exhaust threads.  Used the lapping compound method as mentioned previously.

[Boxer_Bolshie]

WTF!!!?? I spun the exhaust nut on and off probably a dozen times and now after polishing the head it doesn't want to come off!!!??? [smiley=furious3.gif]

[montmil]

WTF!!!?? I spun the exhaust nut on and off probably a dozen times and now after polishing the head it doesn't want to come off!!!??? [smiley=furious3.gif]

Now, Carl... Steady on.

Did you clean off all the valve lap compound and then smear on a coating of anti-seize? Please say you did. [smiley=wall.gif]

[Boxer_Bolshie]

I cleaned off all of the valve laping compound but hadn't yet got the anti-seize on yet.  It was only a matter of about 30 mins until I realized it was stuck!  

[Boxer_Bolshie]

So do I force it off or am I going to have to cut it off and get a new nut?

[montmil]

So do I force it off or am I going to have to cut it off and get a new nut?

I'd probably try to get some PB Blaster into the exhaust stub threads. Prop up the head so that the liquid might be aided by gravity plus capillary action. Wait a couple hours and try to remove the nut... gently try to remove the nut.

If she still won't play nice, I might use a propane torch and play some heat on the exhaust nut. Just enough to cause a bit of expansion of the nut but little heat on the exhaust stub.
 Â  Do this outside, Carl. Your bride really will need the fire extinguisher if smoke fills the house... wink, wink.

When you get the nut off, put it away somewhere safe until you do the anti-seize drill.

Good luck, amigo.