Thought it is probably worthwhile starting a new thread about the BB ignition kit. There's lots of information on the forum about it. But I hope my thoughts as I fit the system to my 77 XS650D back from the dead project might be useful to somebody.
First impression wasn't brilliant since the two NGK 5k plug caps are different colours. I have mailed the vendor about it. I want two the same colour. I don't think that's too unreasonable.
Considering the kit has been manufactured since the 1970's there's some frustratingly bad things about it. In no particular order the bad things I've found so far are -
1 There's no information about what Loctite to use to fasten the magnet disc to the 8mm threaded rod. Seems quite important to me. There's nothing else holding the disc to the rod. I degreased both parts and used Loctite 270, a high strength grade.
2 A plain nut is provided for the other end of the threaded rod. That's totally nuts. There's only friction holding the nut on. The camshaft rotates clockwise (viewing the right engine side) so one day the nut is going to come loose. A spring washer is provided, but I used a nyloc self locking nut.
3 You need three hands to set the static ignition timing. The whole assembly isn't indexed at all and just depends on friction to maintain correct timing. It took me about an hour of fiddling around to get the static timing correct. I think this is the worst thing I have found on the kit to be honest.
4 In my opinion, the plastic magnet pick up plate should be aluminium.
5 Not everyone has the tools or the skill to make a ignition coil mounting bracket. There's nothing provided at all for that.
The good things in no particular order that I have found so far -
1 It isn't expensive for what you get.
2 It is made in the UK. That's a big plus for me.
3 The new ignition coil provided seems very high quality. It's made in Germany by PVL. I like that.
So far I've mounted the magnet and trigger assembly, set the static timing and mounted the ignition coil. I need to move the coil over about 3mm or it is in danger of rubbing on the inner face of the fuel tank near the front mounts. I need to remove the coil anyway to fit the blue igniter box behind the steering head. The flasher relay is going to be relocated on to the unused right side ignition coil mount.
So far, so good. I have unexpectedly ran out of crimp terminals. That's going to delay me wiring the unit up until the ones ordered get here. (One more moan, the red preinsulated crimps used by BB are junk).
First impression wasn't brilliant since the two NGK 5k plug caps are different colours. I have mailed the vendor about it. I want two the same colour. I don't think that's too unreasonable.
Considering the kit has been manufactured since the 1970's there's some frustratingly bad things about it. In no particular order the bad things I've found so far are -
1 There's no information about what Loctite to use to fasten the magnet disc to the 8mm threaded rod. Seems quite important to me. There's nothing else holding the disc to the rod. I degreased both parts and used Loctite 270, a high strength grade.
2 A plain nut is provided for the other end of the threaded rod. That's totally nuts. There's only friction holding the nut on. The camshaft rotates clockwise (viewing the right engine side) so one day the nut is going to come loose. A spring washer is provided, but I used a nyloc self locking nut.
3 You need three hands to set the static ignition timing. The whole assembly isn't indexed at all and just depends on friction to maintain correct timing. It took me about an hour of fiddling around to get the static timing correct. I think this is the worst thing I have found on the kit to be honest.
4 In my opinion, the plastic magnet pick up plate should be aluminium.
5 Not everyone has the tools or the skill to make a ignition coil mounting bracket. There's nothing provided at all for that.
The good things in no particular order that I have found so far -
1 It isn't expensive for what you get.
2 It is made in the UK. That's a big plus for me.
3 The new ignition coil provided seems very high quality. It's made in Germany by PVL. I like that.
So far I've mounted the magnet and trigger assembly, set the static timing and mounted the ignition coil. I need to move the coil over about 3mm or it is in danger of rubbing on the inner face of the fuel tank near the front mounts. I need to remove the coil anyway to fit the blue igniter box behind the steering head. The flasher relay is going to be relocated on to the unused right side ignition coil mount.
So far, so good. I have unexpectedly ran out of crimp terminals. That's going to delay me wiring the unit up until the ones ordered get here. (One more moan, the red preinsulated crimps used by BB are junk).
Last edited: