cdi conversion for 77

sweatybetty89

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Hi new here trying to lose the old points system on my 77 xs650 was wondering if there was any suggestions for parts to use. New to working on bikes in all I believe it would be a cdi box i would need If that is wrong some one please let me know.
 
Are you looking to get rid of points AND run a CDI, or just drop the points?

if just the points - look at a Boyer ignition- easy plug and play - long track record, great service and reliability.

or google xs650 electronic ignition and you see a few options.

and there is nothing wrong or bad about the points system. Just get it dialed in.

I get the feeling most (younger) people switch to electronic ignitions because they are intimidated by points because they lack the mechanical skills and mask it by saying it’s for reliability. The lack of skill is usually simply because they have never encountered points before and well everyone’s a expert now so we can’t possibly show our cards and say we are not capable. Quite possibly a crazy thought, just kinda the feeling I get seeing the kinds of bikes for sale touting the switch to electronic ignition.
 
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The TCI system used on the '80 through '83 xs650's here in the States is often confused as a CDI.
Don't be confused as they're not the same.

I swapped my '77's points system with a TCI off of an '81.
There's also the Gonzo replacement for the points which appears to be finalized as an alternative too......search for 'gonzo'.
 
CDI=Capacitive Discharge Ignition. Which most often is self-powered from a permanent magnet flywheel, but some systems may be battery powered.
Then you have Inductive ignition systems that can be triggered either by mechanical breaker points or by an electronic circuit. Systems like Dyna, Boyer, Piranha/ Newtronics, Pazon, Pamco, etc.
 
Are you looking to get rid of points AND run a CDI, or just drop the points?

if just the points - look at a Boyer ignition- easy plug and play - long track record, great service and reliability.

or google xs650 electronic ignition and you see a few options.

and there is nothing wrong or bad about the points system. Just get it dialed in.

I get the feeling most (younger) people switch to electronic ignitions because they are intimidated by points because they lack the mechanical skills and mask it by saying it’s for reliability. The lack of skill is usually simply because they have never encountered points before and well everyone’s a expert now so we can’t possibly show our cards and say we are not capable. Quite possibly a crazy thought, just kinda the feeling I get seeing the kinds of bikes for sale touting the switch to electronic ignition.
I'll be the first to tell you it's less mechanical is why I'm optting out of them. I'm sure I could set the points. I got the bike for 250 trying to get it running for the least amount of money. Got spark its just real weak. Buying new battery asap. Had to get it un seized when I bought it. That was first thing I've done to it
 
Are you looking to get rid of points AND run a CDI, or just drop the points?

if just the points - look at a Boyer ignition- easy plug and play - long track record, great service and reliability.

or google xs650 electronic ignition and you see a few options.

and there is nothing wrong or bad about the points system. Just get it dialed in.

I get the feeling most (younger) people switch to electronic ignitions because they are intimidated by points because they lack the mechanical skills and mask it by saying it’s for reliability. The lack of skill is usually simply because they have never encountered points before and well everyone’s a expert now so we can’t possibly show our cards and say we are not capable. Quite possibly a crazy thought, just kinda the feeling I get seeing the kinds of bikes for sale touting the switch to electronic ignition.
Just drop the points
 
The TCI system used on the '80 through '83 xs650's here in the States is often confused as a CDI.
Don't be confused as they're not the same.

I swapped my '77's points system with a TCI off of an '81.
There's also the Gonzo replacement for the points which appears to be finalized as an alternative too......search for 'gonzo'.
How would I do this?
 
I'll be the first to tell you it's less mechanical is why I'm optting out of them. I'm sure I could set the points. I got the bike for 250 trying to get it running for the least amount of money. Got spark its just real weak. Buying new battery asap. Had to get it un seized when I bought it. That was first thing I've done to it

If you have spark on a $ 250 bike with a weak battery ..
You might be home free without costs .. when the new battery is in + perhaps new spark plugs
Depending on how it looks ..but a $ 250 bike can be the black hole where all your money goes in.
In my view it does not make sense chucking in a new ignition
fex Boyer a $ 200 just yet

please google something like that
https://www.ebay.com/itm/313490799137?hash=item48fd81fa21:g:LGUAAOSwnQFeb43k

Installing and find out there is a hole in the Piston
And then perhaps take off that brand new ignition trying to sell it.

I would go for the points solution at this point in time ---and spark is there already
 
If you have spark on a $ 250 bike with a weak battery ..
You might be home free without costs .. when the new battery is in + perhaps new spark plugs
Depending on how it looks ..but a $ 250 bike can be the black hole where all your money goes in.
In my view it does not make sense chucking in a new ignition
fex Boyer a $ 200 just yet

please google something like that
https://www.ebay.com/itm/313490799137?hash=item48fd81fa21:g:LGUAAOSwnQFeb43k

Installing and find out there is a hole in the Piston
And then perhaps take off that brand new ignition trying to sell it.

I would go for the points solution at this point in time ---and spark is there already
The points would be the way I think with the battery. The piston and rings were just changer few years back. It was outside started every so often and one day would not sat for few years and found its way to me. Hopefully I can get her running that's the first goal till then it's the ol honda to scoot around on. Excited for this build though love the help guys and I'm sure I'll be back
 
If you have spark on a $ 250 bike with a weak battery ..
You might be home free without costs .. when the new battery is in + perhaps new spark plugs
Depending on how it looks ..but a $ 250 bike can be the black hole where all your money goes in.
In my view it does not make sense chucking in a new ignition
fex Boyer a $ 200 just yet

please google something like that
https://www.ebay.com/itm/313490799137?hash=item48fd81fa21:g:LGUAAOSwnQFeb43k

Installing and find out there is a hole in the Piston
And then perhaps take off that brand new ignition trying to sell it.

I would go for the points solution at this point in time ---and spark is there already
The Boyer system replaces the points?
 
IMG_0053.PNG
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How would I do this?
I've included a map above.
Get a descriptive manual and start getting pieces from '80 or newer xs650's, the TCI models.
It's a matter of swapping out parts, the only difficult thing is learning what they are.......
Other opinions may vary.
 
trying to get it running for the least amount of money................. Got spark its just real weak. Buying new battery asap.......................... Had to get it un seized when I bought it.

Throwing a new ignition at this is going about this the wrong way...................

Important facts...........The bike was seized, you don't want to spend to much money, (being thrifty), Has weak spark

First off, start from the beginning and get as much information to us about the bike and its condition, (history as you know it), as possible. State what you would like to do and ask what is needed to do to get done what you want...........

Here is an example of where you need to be thinking about what to do.............From my point of view and from the information you have posted.

The bike has been seized........Means it has been sitting for a long time. Best case is it was in a garage under a tarp to it has been sitting out side under a tarp. Either way the electrics, (wiring and switches), will need to be checked and gone through........Now back to the points with a weak spark........

1] A new battery is a must. may still have weak points......

2] The coils need to be checked, tested. No guarantee they are good even if they test good, because coils can breakdown when the get hot, (after running for a while), so need new coils/coil. Spark might still be weak.........

3] Power to the coils from the battery, runs through the ignition switch and the Kill switch. If Ignition switch and the kill switch contacts are dirty these will reduce the power getting to the coils and cause a weak spark........

Using the points, (and they arn't that hard to work with), as a means untill you get a good spark will save money in the short term while you diagnose the problem, All the while you can spend the time to make up your mind on what type of ignition you want to get.

You don't know the condition of the motor.............need to have a compression test, especially if it was seized, (no indication of how bad it was), and the condition of the bores. An indication can be got by looking through the spark plug hole using a torch or a scope.


You want to save money, go through a process of elimination with a plan. Tech menu has a couple of good threads on what to do and how to wake up an old bike and a process on what to do when buying a new to you old bike...........
 
Throwing a new ignition at this is going about this the wrong way...................

Important facts...........The bike was seized, you don't want to spend to much money, (being thrifty), Has weak spark

First off, start from the beginning and get as much information to us about the bike and its condition, (history as you know it), as possible. State what you would like to do and ask what is needed to do to get done what you want...........

Here is an example of where you need to be thinking about what to do.............From my point of view and from the information you have posted.

The bike has been seized........Means it has been sitting for a long time. Best case is it was in a garage under a tarp to it has been sitting out side under a tarp. Either way the electrics, (wiring and switches), will need to be checked and gone through........Now back to the points with a weak spark........

1] A new battery is a must. may still have weak points......

2] The coils need to be checked, tested. No guarantee they are good even if they test good, because coils can breakdown when the get hot, (after running for a while), so need new coils/coil. Spark might still be weak.........

3] Power to the coils from the battery, runs through the ignition switch and the Kill switch. If Ignition switch and the kill switch contacts are dirty these will reduce the power getting to the coils and cause a weak spark........

Using the points, (and they arn't that hard to work with), as a means untill you get a good spark will save money in the short term while you diagnose the problem, All the while you can spend the time to make up your mind on what type of ignition you want to get.

You don't know the condition of the motor.............need to have a compression test, especially if it was seized, (no indication of how bad it was), and the condition of the bores. An indication can be got by looking through the spark plug hole using a torch or a scope.


You want to save money, go through a process of elimination with a plan. Tech menu has a couple of good threads on what to do and how to wake up an old bike and a process on what to do when buying a new to you old bike...........
You are right on point. The bike was outside. Not covered. Motor not seized anymore looked at points, look brand new. Have not gone through wires or tested coils. I will be fn around with it Wednesday and will for sure update you guys. I really appreciate the help. This forum is a life saver!
 
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