mikesxs pma

+1 with CDNTX650!

The original stock alternator was a high quality alternator, and even to-day they are still a high quality unit. I'm presently in my 9 th season of using the stock alternator. Brushes last me about 8 years, and are very simple to replace.

The PMA craze is directed at novice bikers that don't have a clue about electrical maintenance. They are chinese/taiwan made, and quality is sub-standard, so don't expect a very long life, as compared to stock alternators.
 
Its true. Replace good nippon denso quality electronics from 40 years ago with chinese made p.m.a systems.

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I'm picking up your sarcasm.LOL
Agreed. Boggles my mind.:banghead: If they're going to offer a PMA so you can UPDATE the ignition (CDI type) at least offer it with quality components like Sparx, Powerdynamo or Workz
Otherwise it makes ZERO sense to install a garage engineered PMA with components off Ebay.
 
If you're running a stock bike, run the stock charging system. If you're like me and want to lighten the bike as much as possible and not have to worry about batteries, then buy a HHB PMA, not the knock off. I hate batteries with a passion, if it's a Harley, put a magneto on it, otherwise upgrade to a hotter charging system and run a 50cent capacitor.

If you're gonna run a battery there is no reason to change to a PMA. And by all that is holy, run points, not solid state.
 
Pro I have been running a Boyer Brandsen for about six years and it starts first or second kick cold. Never once let me down. I did put a G.M. Coil on it fatter spark. With the Boyer you do away with the auto-advance mechanism and points. I would never go back. P.S. I also have a Sparx alternator from M.M.M. love it. All solid state maintenance free six years.
 
then buy a HHB PMA, not the knock off.
What's the difference in quality between the "mikes PMA, TC bros PMA and the HHB PMA? Others? Those knock offs?
Didn't know of any difference in quality (all Chinese 2nds) between any PMA other than Sparx, Powerdynamo and Electrex stators. Those being quality built. I also notice a cast plate on the TC bros kit that appears to be of quality with good fitment on the one I worked on and IMO seems to be a much better solution than the HHB plates I've seen.
My question is, what you'd consider a "knock off"?
 
Although Hugh wasn't the first to do a PMA conversion on his own bike, he was the first to put them together as a simple bolt on kit. After they started selling like hot cakes all the others copied him.

Also I'm sure everyone's aftermarket ignition works great and hasn't let them down, but the same could be said for my points, and they didn't cost me anything. Seems like fixing something that isn't broken and spending a pile of cash just for the sake of saying you "did the upgrade".
 
this stock alternator/PMA debate is simply apples and oranges...

if you find the thought of molesting your bike abhorrent you'll like the old parts. if you cut your bikes up and are a minimalist who hates batteries and considers an old wiring harness a rat's nest you'll go PMA.

both work. PMA parts are far less $$ on ebay.

my PMA setup starts first kick with Andrews dual output coil. and i like good old points/advancer btw...
 
Pro it is not for just an upgrade. You set your Boyer and go. I have not had to re-st my ignition in six years. I do check it at every oil change.
 
Facts...............

Hugh copied his system from Mrriggs, set up from the garage, and the 650Club of Australia had all the information for making the mounting bracket and converting to a PMA, long before Hugh set up business.

Hugh is to be congratulated for making a go of his business. Its when he makes false claims to developing products, that are copied from others, that he lets himself down.
 
Every advert I've read where aftermarket pma kits are sold also sell the fear of being stranded... quick question for long-time stock charger users... how long have you ran stock charge and how many times has it left you stranded Vs running out of fuel, flat tire, other mechanical failure or charging/battery fail in any other type of vehicle with a more modern alternator?

My pma consists of stock yamaha 29L stator/rotor which, I think, is what the originators of the pma swap used and I made my own adapter plate. Other bike's parts may fit also, it's worth trying breakers before buying a kit. If ya want pma why pay someone else to put the parts in one bag? If you're building a chop or bob, isn't the philosophy to do as much as you can yourself?
 
...sell the fear of being stranded....

Since joining this forum, I've noticed what seems like a good amount of 'fear of electronics'.

Never really thought about it before, but those sci-files horror flicks, with the "jumbled mess of wires" hanging from the ceiling, may actually be there to enhance the terror.

... how long have you ran stock charge and how many times has it left you stranded...

Over 40 years, and zero. .....On my XS1Bs.

On my '51 panhead, with its 6v generator and hot-oil-tank battery cooker, that's a whole different story...
 
Since 06. 3 bikes. All stock rotors and stators. Never a failure . I also rewired all 3 bikes with new harnesses and fises.

I laugh at the guys who run points too because of scary electronic ignitions. i had a condenser fail on my kz650. i never had a new one with me.....guess what. Bike left me stranded.

My pamco equipped bike with dyna coil and stock rotor starts instantly. Good starting has nothing to do with pma
 
Every advert I've read where aftermarket pma kits are sold also sell the fear of being stranded... quick question for long-time stock charger users... how long have you ran stock charge and how many times has it left you stranded Vs running out of fuel, flat tire, other mechanical failure or charging/battery fail in any other type of vehicle with a more modern alternator?

My pma consists of stock yamaha 29L stator/rotor which, I think, is what the originators of the pma swap used and I made my own adapter plate. Other bike's parts may fit also, it's worth trying breakers before buying a kit. If ya want pma why pay someone else to put the parts in one bag? If you're building a chop or bob, isn't the philosophy to do as much as you can yourself?

Yes, the PMA sellers love to focus on the fears of novice bike owners. HHB's advertising always mentions that a buyer would no longer have to fear the dreaded, highly occurring, maintenance of brushes that could fail with no notice and leave you on the side of the road. Its marketing BS aimed at young lads with no understanding of electricity/electronics, and is not based on facts at all.

When I first bought an XS650 back in 2007, the XS650 websites both had a constant theme in the posts, that the stock alternators are crap, especially the stock rotor. The story was repeated over and over by lads with no clue about electrical equipment.

I have worked around electricity and electrical equipment all of my life, and could see no justification for this vilification of the stock charging system. 9 seasons later and I'm still using my stock alternator, and it works perfect. I replaced the brushes after 8 seasons as they were getting short, but had not failed. Brushes are inexpensive and easily replaced.

The Hitachi components used in the stock system are very high quality, which is why they have survived the many years of abuse that owners subjected them to. Even though the stock rectifier and regulator performed well for many, many years, its wise to replace them with more modern components.

I guess most novices don't know that the stock charging system is the same system used in cars and trucks around the world. Large utility generators all use brushes, which bring reliable electricity to your home everyday of the year.

About 24 years of motorcycle riding and I've never had any alternator or battery failures using the stock type of charging.

We all know the PMA sellers will continue to tell marketing lies, as its a proven way to make lots of money.
 
I replaced my stock alternator this spring with a PMA after the stator shorted. I have had my bike since new and in 130,000 miles had replaced brushes several times, replaced the rotor, the rectitfier, and then the stator failed. At this point I was tired of the brushes, yes they last a relatively long time but that also makes it easy to forget about them until it stops charging. I had long been looking at the PMA kits but would not have put one in if my stock system did not fail. The kit was not much more $ than the cost of a replacement stator.

I did have a battery failure once and if I had not been with some friends close to a store would have left me stranded. It suddenly went open circuit internally and with no battery the bike will not run.

BTW, I hated the stock points setup in my bike. The Boyer system (now I have 2 with the rephased engine) was one of the best mods I ever did to the bike. No more fooling around with a timing light periodically to keep it in perfect tune and the spark from it is HOT! Set it once and forget it. :D
 
If your going n a budget, and the stock system works, or can be up and running with minimal cost, it would be stupid to throw out the whole lot, if I had a bike with no system at all, I might go pma, but a system that lasts 40 years and running....I'm sold.
If I did go to an alternative, ide use a banshee setup
 
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