pckopp
XS650 Addict
I installed a Pamco kit yesterday on my 78 Standard. Apart from mounting the coil, it was pretty easy and the instructions were clear. I got the kit from Mikes and it included the Pamco ignition as well as plug wires, plugs and caps. There were a couple of extra pieces of hardware included that weren't needed. I double checked that I didn't miss anything during the install.
It is unfortunate (in my mind) that that particular coil is required. Mounting it is not trivial. I don't have it permanently mounted yet, just attached with heavy zip ties to the forward mounting holes for the original coils. I went to Home Depot and bought the clamps recommended, but I didn't see any way to use them without grinding off the existing coil mounting plates. I don't have those kinds of tools. My machinist friend is coming by next week to see if he can contribute anything. I think possibly a mounting plate where the horn mount attaches may be easiest.
The good news is that it worked perfectly. I made sure I had a good frame ground by using a wire wheel where I attached the connector. I crimped connectors on to the red, green and black wires, connected everything and it fired right up.
It definitely runs better. It will rev to red line much easier now and at freeway speeds it will accelerate from 60 more briskly. Most interesting was that the bike seems much quieter at idle. Not sure what that is, but I'll take it.
I have a second bike to do and now that I've done it once, the second one will take less than an hour, start to finish. It really is pretty easy in spite of the odd coil.
During the installation, I noticed that both my petcock vacuum lines were split so I replaced those, also.
I still need to finalize the coil mounting and clean up some wiring, but the Pamco gets a thumbs up from me.
It is unfortunate (in my mind) that that particular coil is required. Mounting it is not trivial. I don't have it permanently mounted yet, just attached with heavy zip ties to the forward mounting holes for the original coils. I went to Home Depot and bought the clamps recommended, but I didn't see any way to use them without grinding off the existing coil mounting plates. I don't have those kinds of tools. My machinist friend is coming by next week to see if he can contribute anything. I think possibly a mounting plate where the horn mount attaches may be easiest.
The good news is that it worked perfectly. I made sure I had a good frame ground by using a wire wheel where I attached the connector. I crimped connectors on to the red, green and black wires, connected everything and it fired right up.
It definitely runs better. It will rev to red line much easier now and at freeway speeds it will accelerate from 60 more briskly. Most interesting was that the bike seems much quieter at idle. Not sure what that is, but I'll take it.
I have a second bike to do and now that I've done it once, the second one will take less than an hour, start to finish. It really is pretty easy in spite of the odd coil.
During the installation, I noticed that both my petcock vacuum lines were split so I replaced those, also.
I still need to finalize the coil mounting and clean up some wiring, but the Pamco gets a thumbs up from me.
