I did the 277 Pamco How-To / How about a regular Pamco writeup?

I'll be getting my PAMCO today (hopefully), so a How to will, would be great! Love your work

Well, I really appreciate Hugh's offer here, but there are fairly complete installation instructions on the site www.yamahaxs650.com including separate instructions for the installation of the advance parts and various suggested methods to install the coil.

But, Hugh's offer is certainly appreciated and I look forward to seeing it.

Hugh,

You bring a level of technical writing, commentary and video that we need. Not to devalue the efforts of others, but you have a knack for unpacking the tricky build aspects, and clearly showing workarounds, etc.

If you are at all interested in where the current home grown how-to's fall down, here is a suggestion: simultaneous rebuild of wiring and installation of PMA and Pamco.

I have both your PMA and Pete's Pamco sitting next to my '81 project bike, and I'm still confused what the preferred install order is. Others have made note that improper installation of the PMA could be catstrophic for the Pamco; however, I do not have an ignition system currently on the bike. I had planned to install them simultaneously, along with crafting the basic wiring, and I'm still confused about the steps/pitfalls/etc.

CHI2,

I recommend that you install the PAMCO first and just temporarily wire it to a seperate battery sitting on the floor. This approach has a couple of advantages:

1. Enables you to use the stock rotor for timing reference before you remove it.
2. Provides you with a running engine so you can test the PMA setup before you commit the ignition system to it.
3. If you have a capacitor setup for the PMA and there is something wrong with it, you will not be able to start the engine to trouble shoot the PMA problem.
4. Protects the PAMCO from very high or erratic voltage from the PMA which sometimes occurs due to incorrect installation. In some cases, it's possible for the PMA to produce up to 20+ volts which will fry the PAMCO, so its good to find this out before you wire the PAMCO to the PMA.

Thanks Pete- I appreciate your quick reply!

pamcopete said:

CHI2,

I recommend that you install the PAMCO first and just temporarily wire it to a seperate battery sitting on the floor. This approach has a couple of advantages:

1. Enables you to use the stock rotor for timing reference before you remove it.
2. Provides you with a running engine so you can test the PMA setup before you commit the ignition system to it.
3. If you have a capacitor setup for the PMA and there is something wrong with it, you will not be able to start the engine to trouble shoot the PMA problem.
4. Protects the PAMCO from very high or erratic voltage from the PMA which sometimes occurs due to incorrect installation. In some cases, it's possible for the PMA to produce up to 20+ volts which will fry the PAMCO, so its good to find this out before you wire the PAMCO to the PMA.

Click to expand...

Punkskalar,
I'm not ready for the 277 project yet but I'm in the middle of the standard Pamco ignition install. You'll see that I have had a couple of questions already. Mainly how to remove the old ATU mechanical advance unit and how to place/locate the new coil. I purchased the Part #14-0901 iginition from MikesXS and have a 1977-D.

I figured out the ATU but still working on the coil placement.

Keep up the good work. I vote a very definite YES!

I'll try to post pics of the coil placement when completed. Possibly tomorrow night.

Seems different models and different coils have different variables.

Thanks,
Slimbob

wow this rules! I'm going to make a purchase soon so this is great!

Thanks