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Post by wotavidone on Aug 14, 2007 17:52:34 GMT -5
Gents,
Is anyone familiar with the XT engines ignition? Its points, condensor and coil, driven by a separate coil under the flywheel.
i.e. it is totally indepenedent of the battery.
Anyway, my bike (about 6000 miles old) is progressively getting harder to start.
Carby is clean, and a new plug cures it for a week or so.
Looking at the spark when kicking it over, it is just a weak yellow flash.
I've ordered new points anyway, but what I want to know is, does one of these ignition systems, when in good nick, deliver a nice fat blue spark when kicking it over?
Trouble is, I tend not to look at these things till they play up, so now I have no visual reference point, to say yeah that's good or no, that's weak.
Mick
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Post by sjef on Aug 14, 2007 18:12:06 GMT -5
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Post by StewRoss on Aug 15, 2007 2:36:42 GMT -5
Hi, You probably need another condensor I'd say....but also try running a white card through the points contacts when they're closed...open them by hand put it between the points and use it to clean the contacts. Love those ignition systems...easily fixed in the field...just what you need on a dirt bike miles from anywhere...ah well, perhaps I'm old fashioned... SR  |
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Post by wotavidone on Aug 15, 2007 19:22:07 GMT -5
Yeah Stew, I'm thinking along those lines. I'll do the points first, since I've already ordered them, but if they don't give nice big improvement, the condensor will be next. Electronics guru here at work reckons any automotive condensor that will physically fit in the space will probably do.
What you reckon?
I like points ignition too. I've got this book on how to survive in the bush which reckons you can make a condensor by taping your numberplates together with a layer of plastic in between.
If you ever have to try that, you know you are in trouble, eh?
Mick
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Post by frankyb on Aug 15, 2007 22:13:24 GMT -5
Hey mick, what if you only have one number plate? Ahealthy points system will produce a healthy spark. In my experience a condenser is nearly always the culprit when they go off. The other problem ive encountered is the wire that run to the coil from the condenser can get brittle and crack just near the eye where it screws down on the points plate. Try a spark exciter as well, they really boost things along. Cheers Franky b.
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Post by StewRoss on Aug 16, 2007 2:14:37 GMT -5
I bought one from Yamaha as I recall...years ago though...the DCM engine has this system so perhaps I should get a spare condensor for that one too. As an aside I wonder what's around for an electronic trigger for the XT's...Boyer??? perhaps... SR  |
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Post by milkman on Aug 16, 2007 8:36:29 GMT -5
Whats the book called?
soounds interesting
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Post by wotavidone on Aug 16, 2007 17:47:15 GMT -5
The book is called On (or maybe By) Your Own Resources.
How to shoot skin and cook your own national emblem. How to make fresh water from sea water when things is looking grim. Lots of stuff about fixing older style vehicles in the bush. Shelter. Navigating I think. Fishing for survival rather than sport. Doesn't mention the dynamite, also known as "rapidly expanding bait"
Basically all that stuff about how you don't have to lay down and die if you break down in the middle of nowhere.
Gotta admit you're stuffed if you need two number plates.
More I think ab out it the more I wish I'd ordered the condensor as well.
Hey Franky b, the book says set the points to 14 thou. Is there any convenient way of finding at what point to do the measuring, like maybe some marks to line up, or do you just find the widest opening point by eye. The book says you get the initial timing roughly right by checking for the point of opening with a ohmmeter or test light, which is easy and I've done it before, but it doesn't seem to have a very distinctive cam lobe like a car for setting the gap.
Mick
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Post by frankyb on Aug 16, 2007 20:42:59 GMT -5
Hi guys, in answer to stews query, martek, also known as mototek made a trigger back in the 80s. It was a black box, coil unit and a trigger plate and trigger that fitted where the points used to be. The trigger bolted onto the cam that opens the points. Of course thy have gone the way of the dodo by now, but it was a mototek cd500 model, and was xt500 specific. On a more positive note, i have to go and pick up a stator that is being rewound next week, and the guy who is doing it says that he can easily convert any xt points system to electronic using the existing magneto. When i find out more ill let you know. For mick, undo the plug under the points cover that is on the xt sidecover, an use the tag that is on the crankshaft end with the timing marks on it. Better still, you will see a distinct mark on the cam, sort of a discoloured mark where the points opener always touches, and mark the upper most point . Midway between the discoloured portion is the widest point opening. remember that when youre on this side of the motor it rotates clockwise. Cheers Franky b.
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Post by wotavidone on Aug 21, 2007 21:54:09 GMT -5
Thanks Franky,
Points have finally arrived will get into it this weekend.
Anyone know a good (i.e. cheap) Aussie source for condensor?
The local shop wants $58!!! for one.
Mick
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Post by sjef on Aug 22, 2007 5:16:55 GMT -5
hallo stewart kedo sells an programmable digital ignition  regards sjef |
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Post by miker on Aug 22, 2007 8:28:35 GMT -5
Pretty much any condensor should do. Since the XT is 6v, one for an old 6v Volkswagon would be perfect. But I don't see why a 12v unit wouldn't work just as well, its only a system voltage rating. Get a couple, and an extra set of points, so you don't have to carry *two number plates. miker *I reckon you could sandwich two metal fenders together with plastic and get something workable too. Or two smashed-flat instrument housings. BUt carrying an extra condensor would be easier. |
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Post by milkman on Aug 22, 2007 12:01:49 GMT -5
Can you break or fold your number plate in half? Or not enough surface area?
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Post by wotavidone on Aug 22, 2007 17:40:17 GMT -5
Wish I'd never mentioned number plates and plastic. Milkman you are dead right - not enough surface area. According to the aforementioned book, you need the surface area of two full size car number plates. They also reckon it can be done with two strips of aluminium foil with layers of plastic in between and rolled up. Carrying a spare condensor would be easier. I am contemplating trying a normal Holden condensor - if my new points don't solve the problem. It will not fit where the other one goes but it does not matter. If i piggy back it off the other end of the points wire and earth it to the motor, the electrical connection is the same, so it should be fines. Mick |
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Post by StewRoss on Aug 23, 2007 6:35:19 GMT -5
Hi Sjef...d**n...how much!  SR  |
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