rbirkey , sorry I have no answers for the ignition upgrade. I’ve only owned stock bikes.
But It’s nice to follow this thread.
-RT
But It’s nice to follow this thread.
-RT
-
Enjoy XS650.com? Consider making a donation to help support the site.
XS650.com receives a small share of sales from some links on this page, but direct donations have a much greater impact on keeping this site going.
MikesXS Electronic Ignition Kit
- Thread starter rbirkey
- Start date
rbirkey
TriumphBonneville.org
"I would also go to MikesXS Tech section and ask for the instructions on how to install the PMA.........You have paid a lot of money so they should at least give you some Tech support...........If they don't help make a complaint............"
I exhausted the extent of MikesXS willingness to support this kit and product. They have only 2 resources... a PDF and a webpage that covers maybe 25% of the kit parts. As to why they don't have full kit instructions... Ethan replied:
"Unfortunately, we cannot describe to you how to install all parts on your motorcycle. I have sent you the links to the instructions, as for the other parts, like the advance rod, the reason we do not offer instructions is because it is not the type of job for the average person to do and you cannot describe it over a computer. And we will not be held responsible if someone does the job following our instructions and something were to happen, we would be blamed and have a reliability issue. As for putting you in contact with other customers who have done the job is not possible as we cannot give out personal information. I know there are quite a bit of YouTube videos out there about installing these items. It would be highly recommended to bring it to a trained technician. As for the instructions on the website, I apologize that the instructions were not correct for the kit you purchased. I do not have control over the website but I have notified the proper department to get that fixed."
So yes, 650Skull, I gave them a 1 star Google review which anyone can read by going to Google Maps, looking up MikesXS in Florida, and reading the reviews. I am also going to describe my experience on this project bike blog post here: https://triumphbonneville.org/project/1977-yamaha-xs650d/ Any other suggestions?
Yes - the second little aluminium rotor goes on the RH side of the advance rod. The two little bushing would be used if your bike did not already have an advance rod installed (I.e. if is was a 1980 or later bike).
The little blue box is the digital advancer unit and must be wired into the ignition trigger circuit. Don’t forget to put a 7.5 Amp fuse in the power side of the circuit to protect the electronics.
The entire mechanical advance assembly needs to come off the RH end of the camshaft housing - but go gently on it. Those are somewhat precious and the little metal parts of the advance mechanism is a bit fragile.
Pete
The little blue box is the digital advancer unit and must be wired into the ignition trigger circuit. Don’t forget to put a 7.5 Amp fuse in the power side of the circuit to protect the electronics.
The entire mechanical advance assembly needs to come off the RH end of the camshaft housing - but go gently on it. Those are somewhat precious and the little metal parts of the advance mechanism is a bit fragile.
Pete
Last edited:
rbirkey
TriumphBonneville.org
OK, good progress today with a little help from my friends!
Lookin’ good!
JAX71224
jax71224
That original advancer assembly looks to be in good condition........wanna sell it? Mine is still functioning fine but would really like to have a spare........
rbirkey
TriumphBonneville.org
I'm now in the process of re-routing my wiring and figuring out where everything needs to go and mount. I assume the photo contains all the parts I no longer need for the ignition system?
I think these are still needed... but not sure what all of them are for... yet.
Any comments, suggestions, experience/knowledge is welcome...!
I think these are still needed... but not sure what all of them are for... yet.
Any comments, suggestions, experience/knowledge is welcome...!
Are you going to keep the electric start ? Or just kick it ?
Relay up top there ? Solenoid bottom ?
Relay up top there ? Solenoid bottom ?
rbirkey
TriumphBonneville.org
Machine - We are going to go with electric start only, and will leave the kickstart lever off for now. Still hunting for the two items on the wiring diagram... plus this.
Mailman (Bob) check out all this 77 electrical . Didn’t you do this too ?
I can’t remember what that little aluminum Yel/Blk gizmo that hide behind a coil is ? Lol
I can’t remember what that little aluminum Yel/Blk gizmo that hide behind a coil is ? Lol
That's a resistor for the headlight system. Not sure exactly what it does though....
Hmmmmm.....it may seem like a small detail, but the XS650 electric starter can get a bit cranky <get it?> sometimes and so I wouldn't be too quick to leave the kick start lever off. You likely won't notice the weight saved - but you certainly will notice if the danged starter doesn't work and you have to do a Fred Flintstone-style running bump-start.
I also noted that you have removed the alternator rotor and stator since you've gone with a PMA. I sure wouldn't get rid of any of those older items until you KNOW that everything is working properly.
Pete
Last edited:
As Jim said it is a resistor for the lights. Specifically the Reserve Lighting Unit. The RLU monitors the headlight and if either the high or low beam go out, it automatically switches the headlight to the other beam. It was touted as a safety feature in advertising of the day.
1. Starter Relay ( starter switch )
2. Reserve Lighting Unit
3. Possibly item number 14 in the diagram below? Unsure of the function.
The RLU is not a necessity, it can be deleted by unplugging it and making a little jumper wire from the Blue wire with Black stripe to Blue wire with Yellow stripe ( at least on my 1977 model) as shown. I removed mine to make room for my Pamco electronic advance box. You can also see that’s where I put my 7.5 amp fuse for the electronic ignition.
Why yes.... yes I did...Did you just edit my edit? Hahaha!
rbirkey
TriumphBonneville.org
You guys are great! Thanks so much!
Safety relay stops the Starter motor from over running.................
