Points or no points, that is the question...?

mikesim

mikesim

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My '79 XS still has the OE points ignition system. I am having no problems with the way it runs but down the road, I am considering some ~500 mile trips to attend VJMC events and I am concerned about reliability. I am toying with the idea of replacing the points with an electronic system to increase reliability. What is the considered opinion of the XS gurus on the forum? Also, what system would you recommend? I want to keep the bike as close to OE as possible so I want to avoid a lot of rewiring, etc. Also, I have no problem with taking a pair of points and condensers along just in case but I don't like roadside repairs unless absolutely necessary. What is the typical life span of points on an XS?

Mike
 
Thumb sez like 3-4000 miles tween filing, setting and timing, or annually, mebbie 20 k tween points and condenser replacements, if you use quality parts. There are lots of cheesy points sets out there. Was looking at the points on a bike showing 30K today, 'parently lubing the rub block wick wasn't on the menu, the cam had noticeable wear and the points were severely misaligned.
 
Last edited:
mikesim said:
My '79 XS still has the OE points ignition system. I am having no problems with the way it runs but down the road, I am considering some ~500 mile trips to attend VJMC events and I am concerned about reliability. I am toying with the idea of replacing the points with an electronic system to increase reliability. What is the considered opinion of the XS gurus on the forum? Also, what system would you recommend? I want to keep the bike as close to OE as possible so I want to avoid a lot of rewiring, etc. Also, I have no problem with taking a pair of points and condensers along just in case but I don't like roadside repairs unless absolutely necessary. What is the typical life span of points on an XS?

Mike
Click to expand...
I'm really interested in the conversion to '80 to '83 OE system. There's an active thread on it here. Or here. And you better check here.
 
This is gonna sound funny from a guy working on an elec iggy conversion, but I like the old school points system for reliability/ get home ability. :rolleyes: One advantage is that on the XS you basically have 2 independent iggy systems... 2 coils, 2 condensers and 2 sets of points. A single failure will not leave you on the side of the road.... elec iggy will. Granted, limping home on 1 cylinder sucks... but when the alternative is pushing or waiting on a buddy, I'd rather limp back to the barn.
Like Gary sez.... good quality OEM, properly set up and you're golden for 3-4K before you gotta worry about 'em...
I hadn't touched a set of points for 10-5 yrs when I set up the run stand a few weeks ago. Cleaning, setting, timing.... I found it all oddly satisfying in a nostalgic geeky kinda way. :geek:
 
I have a few point plates for these bikes. Some of the screw heads have been almost worn out from "being adjusted". I've found that once you get the points static timed then dynamic timed, they stay that way for a long time. Just keep the timing chain adjusted and filters on the fuel lines and it will run like a sewing machine. I've also found that my bike doesn't run very well on first start after sitting a few weeks. But after a short ride and warm up, she's back to making me smile real big!

Yeah, what Jim said!
 
Jim said:
This is gonna sound funny from a guy working on an elec iggy conversion, but I like the old school points system for reliability/ get home ability. :rolleyes: One advantage is that on the XS you basically have 2 independent iggy systems... 2 coils, 2 condensers and 2 sets of points. A single failure will not leave you on the side of the road.... elec iggy will. Granted, limping home on 1 cylinder sucks... but when the alternative is pushing or waiting on a buddy, I'd rather limp back to the barn.
Like Gary sez.... good quality OEM, properly set up and you're golden for 3-4K before you gotta worry about 'em...
I hadn't touched a set of points for 10-5 yrs when I set up the run stand a few weeks ago. Cleaning, setting, timing.... I found it all oddly satisfying in a nostalgic geeky kinda way. :geek:
Click to expand...
All very good points (no pun intended) Jim. Remembering back in the day when a roadside breakdown was usually fixable. I may just stay with the OE system and carry a few spare parts. Thanks for your input.

Mike
 
Yeah nostalgia is part of why we own XS650's but in several back to back looks at ignition signals with a timing light the electronic has always hands down been more consistent and accurate. If I'm putting on a lot of miles and it isn't a restoration it's going electronic signal and advance. The bike that so far is nameless just got the tytronics plate installed yesterday. I did debate for a while, what was in there was junk, it was physically bent up and had sat cover off so was also rusty. Even after a pull and lube the advance springs seemed a bit weak so one spring got the bend one end clip off a coil treatment., now advance seems about right, the timing light will tell the story soon.
The Prius has 110,000 miles on it, thinking I should give it it's first set of plugs, just because...
 
gggGary said:
If I'm putting on a lot of miles and it isn't a restoration it's going electronic signal and advance.
Click to expand...
Don't get me wrong... given a choice, I'll take electronic iggy too. Just wanted to point out (pun intended) it's safe to go X-country with the antique spark maker.
 
I've had my XS650SK since 1983 and about 57,000 miles. I replaced the TCI box only this summer. Actually, one of my XS650 friends repaired it. 15 years ago, it got a rewound rotor (from an XS650 friend). Somewhere along the line, I had to replace the failed pickup coil (another used part from an email list member). Also, I've replaced alternator brushes and a few batteries. I think that's pretty reliable. I came across my receipt just recently. I paid $2008 out the door, tag, taxes, a genuine Yammie crash bar, and an oil cooler installed. I'm pretty confident. I will concede agreement with Jim as to limping home or fixing the archaic system on the side of the road. Yamaha built a quality product a a low price point, IMHO.
 
Raymondo said:
FWIW I've run Boyer ignitions on a Norton Commando, Kawasaki Z1, Triumph TR6 and now the XS650 and never had a problem. Set once and forget it.
Click to expand...
That's good to know. For years I have suffered from a fear of British electrics, I believe it's called Lucaphobia!

:rolleyes:

Mike
 
Joe Lucas - the Prince of Darkness!

The people at Boyer-Bransden are very helpful - you used to be able to pick up a phone and chat to one of their tech support people. These days, you need to send an email if you have a query but they revert pretty sharpish.

But that probably suits you better from across the Pond.
 
Prolly best to stay with OEM. Ebay's gonna be your best shot. OEM's pop up there all the time. Sometimes a bit spendy... but sometimes reasonable.
 
Thanks Jim! I found several sources for the OE parts but the prices are all over the board! They varied from $120 each to $59 each for the points. Amazingly, the best price for the points were to be found at an online boat dealer! The condensers are a bit spendy too but available. Fer funsies I looked for coils but it looks like after my limited search the OE Hitachi coils are unobtanium. All in all I've found that the XS is very well supported parts wise. A good choice for restoration and maintenance.

Mike
 
Just be aware if shopping for O.E.M. points sets on eBay that Yamaha used two different sets. The early bikes up through '72 came with part #256-81621-10. It has an oval shaped mounting screw hole .....

SjlPpDe.jpg


Then Yamaha went and redesigned the points plate, moving the mounting screw holes slightly. A new set of points was used for these later backing plates, part #256-81621-11. It has a diamond shaped mounting hole .....

NafL5A6.jpg


189zdLR.jpg


These later "-11" points will retrofit onto the earlier points plates and are what you need, but the opposite isn't true. The early "-10" points sets won't fit on the later points plates. So, take care when looking at eBay offerings. The early "-10" points sets come up often but won't fit your bike.
 
5twins said:
Just be aware if shopping for O.E.M. points sets on eBay that Yamaha used two different sets. The early bikes up through '72 came with part #256-81621-10. It has an oval shaped mounting screw hole .....

SjlPpDe.jpg


Then Yamaha went and redesigned the points plate, moving the mounting screw holes slightly. A new set of points was used for these later backing plates, part #256-81621-11. It has a diamond shaped mounting hole .....

NafL5A6.jpg


189zdLR.jpg


These later "-11" points will retrofit onto the earlier points plates and are what you need, but the opposite isn't true. The early "-10" points sets won't fit on the later points plates. So, take care when looking at eBay offerings. The early "-10" points sets come up often but won't fit your bike.
Click to expand...
Thanks! I had already looked 'em up on the Yammy parts fiche and found that I needed the 256-81621-11-00 sets. I always try to cross verify part numbers before ordering..... been bitten by that snake before.... the worst offenders seem to be the dealership parts people....

Mike
 

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