How can I tell without a tach? And what are the normal numbers I should see? And if it is frying my coil wouldent it fry the pamco unit first?
Most guys that operate these bikes, know what the engine sounds like when its running at 3500 to 4000 rpm. Another way is to rev up the engine until the bike is dancing in reverse across the garage floor.
In a perfect world, the charging system would generate a maximum of 14.1 volts. However its not a perfect world, so 14.5 volts is considered to be maximum desired voltage. However if it goes up to 14.7 or 14.8, it should still be OK. Greater than 15 volts is bad for the electrics and bad for the battery.
Pamcopete replied in this thread, that the pamco can handle up to 14 amps. Its possible that a current less than 14 amps, could be doing damage to other ignition parts.
Rather than speculate on whether you have a high ignition current or not, why don't you just measure the ignition current. Use your VOM meter inserted
in series with the power feed to the ignition coil/pamco. Use the 10 amp or 20 amp scale depending on what your meter has. Normal current is about 0.7 amps (60 degree dwell), or could be as high as 1.3 amps, if you have an older 90 degree dwell pamco rotor.