Help with Hughs

[EarthHeavy]

Hello all, my name is Jase and I’m new to the forum and new to XS650’s but already way in love. I have a 77 and an 81 special. Here’s my scenario: I bought a Hughs standard PMA kit for the 77 - Charging only, no battery with mosfet rectifier and big cap. The engine didn’t come with the stock points, as they were lost at some point in time from the guy I bought it from so it had no ignition or advance parts on it. So I searched and ordered a complete points and advance setup on eBay from a seller in the UK but it was lost in the mail - so now I’ve decided to just put a Hugh’s CDI setup on instead to get this girl running. My question is this: do I need to buy a whole other CDI kit or just add the CDI components I’m missing to the PMA stator and rectifier I already have? Thanks!

Cheers, Jase

 

[GLJ]

I do not know for sure but I would bet you have to buy the whole thing.

 

[Signal]

The best person to ask would be Hugh.
Before you commit to anything you could compare the cost of conversion to Hughs CDI with the cost of a cam triggered TCI ignition.
Without thinking too hard Tri Spark and Boyer Bransen are two options or you could try sourcing the components for a points set up again.

 

[Its been a long time]

The best person to ask would be Hugh.
Before you commit to anything you could compare the cost of conversion to Hughs CDI with the cost of a cam triggered TCI ignition.
Without thinking too hard Tri Spark and Boyer Bransen are two options or you could try sourcing the components for a points set up again.

Not sure which aftermarket electronic ignition systems will operate correctly without a battery on the bike? OP says it's PMA and capacitor. It's well known that the Boyer Bransden system needs a good battery to run? That level of electronics is beyond my knowledge but the OP should be careful to ensure what he buys will work properly. HTH.

 

[jpdevol]

Yea, I've seen a lot of reliability issues with systems based on capacitors. As I require electric start, I don't have a lot of direct experience with them. The most successful capacitor-based system I've observed is the Hugh's CDI (FWIW) however, the last I heard the original Hugh's PMA cannot be updated to the PMA/CDI; the new CDI/PMA must be purchased anew - but, is the best bet if you desire a capacitor vs battery based system. I think the cam-fired/pick-up ignitions all need a battery to work reliably I echo @Signal; talk directly to Hugh.....

 

[EarthHeavy]

Thanks guys, yeah I think I’m up the creek on this one. I sent Hugh a message and he said I’d have to get the whole CDI kit, so the easiest/cheapest way to get this bike going will be to get a points setup together as I originally planned. Thanks again for the help!

 

[Signal]

Sorry missed the capacitor, Yes Boyer does need a solid power supply to operate, don't know about the Tri spark.