Converting from Points to Electronic ignition

gwallis · Sep 24, 2020

Hello All,

I have a 1979 XS650 basket case and I need some help on the direction to go. The engine is currently setup for points. However, I am missing the part of the advance mechanism that goes onto the end of the timing shaft and hooks into the advance weights. I am currently unable to find a replacement.

The other option is that I have parts from an electronic ignition system: Stator with coil P/U, the TCI and a wiring harness for a TCI setup.

Should I just try an convert to the TCI version? Or should I continue to look for the advance replacement part?

'Thanks' for any help coming my way!

sleddog83 · Sep 24, 2020

Well I personally prefer the TCI ignition, I am not sure that it would be a simple conversion. It might be easier to find the advance parts you need.

Jim · Sep 24, 2020

gwallis said:
Hello All,

I have a 1979 XS650 basket case and I need some help on the direction to go. The engine is currently setup for points. However, I am missing the part of the advance mechanism that goes onto the end of the timing shaft and hooks into the advance weights. I am currently unable to find a replacement.

The other option is that I have parts from an electronic ignition system: Stator with coil P/U, the TCI and a wiring harness for a TCI setup.

Should I just try an convert to the TCI version? Or should I continue to look for the advance replacement part?

'Thanks' for any help coming my way!

Yes, if you don't mind doing the rewiring, converting to TCI would be relatively easy. Might get kinda spendy though... TCI boxes are getting as hard to find as hens teeth. If you're not in any hurry, we're working on a low cost replacement for the TCI setup. Have a look here.

sleddog83 · Sep 25, 2020

here is an image of the stator and pickup coil layout on my 83. Ignore the x's on the pickup coils. that was me checking the physical position of the pickup coils with repect to TDC. TCI ignitor modules do break down over time and you may have issues with yours, but when they work well, the bike runs great. I finshed repairing and tuning my ignitor board this spring, and the bike has never run better.

gwallis · Sep 26, 2020

sleddog83 said:
here is an image of the stator and pickup coil layout on my 83. Ignore the x's on the pickup coils. that was me checking the physical position of the pickup coils with repect to TDC. TCI ignitor modules do break down over time and you may have issues with yours, but when they work well, the bike runs great. I finshed repairing and tuning my ignitor board this spring, and the bike has never run better.

As mentioned, I have a Stator with the Coil P/U... what I do not know... is there a special armature that goes with the Stator? Or does the same one work with both points as well as the TCI? How does the Coil Stator pick up the revolutions?

gggGary · Sep 26, 2020

Rotors interchange BUT the later TCI rotor has a "signal magnet" embedded in the face.
at the 8 o:clock position here.

gwallis · Sep 26, 2020

gggGary said:
Rotors interchange BUT the later TCI rotor has a "signal magnet" embedded in the face.
at the 8 o:clock position here.
View attachment 176067

So they do not work with points rotor... bummer!

Are they easily found?

Converting from Points to Electronic ignition

gwallis

XS650 Enthusiast

sleddog83

XS650 Addict

Jim

Beyond the edge is the unknown. Here be Dragons

sleddog83

XS650 Addict

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gwallis

XS650 Enthusiast

gggGary

If not now, When?

gwallis

XS650 Enthusiast

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