Points Gap Adjustment Interval?

[patentgeek]

1972 XS2 with a bone stock ignition system. I set my points gap to 0.016" less than 3000 miles ago, oiled the cam felts, and lightly greased the cam. I checked the gap last night the points gap had closed up to 0.012" but the bike was running fine.

Does this seem like a lot of wear for 3000 miles?

There are already plenty of good threads about adjusting the points using a dwell meter, setting timing, etc. So no need to repeat that info here.

 

[ckahleer]

Points will get pits and lumps in 3000 miles. I would only trust a feeler gage on new or freshly filed points. Also, new points wear into the cam somewhat.
I always set my point gap at the upper limit to give a fudge factor for the new points to settle in.
Try filing any burs off the points and recheck the gap.

 

[Its been a long time]

IMO, a new set of points is justified at 3000 miles.

 

[patentgeek]

IMO, a new set of points is justified at 3000 miles.

Are you recommending replacing the poins every 3000 miles?

 

[patentgeek]

Points will get pits and lumps in 3000 miles. I would only trust a feeler gage on new or freshly filed points. Also, new points wear into the cam somewhat.
I always set my point gap at the upper limit to give a fudge factor for the new points to settle in.
Try filing any burs off the points and recheck the gap.

Thanks. I did light filing before re-gapping. Agreed setting points gap at the upper limit seems prudent to allow for wear.

 

[Its been a long time]

Are you recommending replacing the poins every 3000 miles?

Personally, I think that's realistic. Others may disagree. Back in the day when most bikes had points, 3000 miles was quite a lot of miles. Depends how good condition your condensers are too, of course.
(I said in another thread earlier today that points and condensers seem to me worse quality now than they were in the 1970's).

 

[5twins]

Points do need replacing, but not that often. Usually, you can go 10 to 15K miles before you need to replace them. Even though they may still look OK, by that time they have opened and closed literally millions of times and the spring steel strap that closes them can be getting weak.

Yes, it's pretty common for the gap to close up initially once the rubbing block beds in. After that, they should hold their gap better. When the points gap changes, that changes the timing too, but usually re-gapping the points will pull the timing back to correct as well. As mentioned, used points develop pits on their faces and that's where the spark jumps between. You can't accurately measure this with a feeler gauge. The actual gap (between the pits) will be bigger than what you're measuring. The only accurate way to set used points is with a dwell meter.

 

[patentgeek]

This thread is motivating me to install an electronic ignition like I've done on most of my other bikes

 

[Its been a long time]

This thread is motivating me to install an electronic ignition like I've done on most of my other bikes

I have to say, I'm getting more tempted by that idea. I'm not (yet) 100% sold on the idea, but it's growing on me.

 

[Jim]

Dunno... yes, I like the convenience of an electronic iggy. But I also like the old school charm of tending to points. Only points motor I have currently is my test stand motor, but occasionally I'll sit down with it and and clean 'em up and adjust 'em just to say I did, if for no other reason.
Points is old school and tending to 'em is a dying art. You get used to doing 'em and it's not but a 15 min job. Hell, enjoy it for the ol' school charm if nothing else.

 

[Its been a long time]

Dunno... yes, I like the convenience of an electronic iggy. But I also like the old school charm of tending to points. Only points motor I have currently is my test stand motor, but occasionally I'll sit down with it and and clean 'em up and adjust 'em just to say I did, if for no other reason.
Points is old school and tending to 'em is a dying art. You get used to doing 'em and it's not but a 15 min job. Hell, enjoy it for the ol' school charm if nothing else.

I like the fact that on the XS650 with points you have two almost independent ignition systems. One is enough to get you home in a pinch.

My experience is that black box ignition never does that, it just fails.

My own experience too, is that aftermarket electronic ignition systems are just not as high quality in terms of robustness compared to modern OEM electronic systems. I have never had an issue with OEM electronics. In the past I've had two aftermarket systems fail.

Hence, for me the jury is still out with regards my XS650.

 

[patentgeek]

Dunno... yes, I like the convenience of an electronic iggy. But I also like the old school charm of tending to points. Only points motor I have currently is my test stand motor, but occasionally I'll sit down with it and and clean 'em up and adjust 'em just to say I did, if for no other reason.
Points is old school and tending to 'em is a dying art. You get used to doing 'em and it's not but a 15 min job. Hell, enjoy it for the ol' school charm if nothing else.

If I only had a couple of vintage bikes, I wouldn't mind messing with the points. But my girlfriend and I have more than 20 bikes vintage bikes in the garage, so I've made a point of converting most of the bikes to electronic ignition where good alternatives are available. I was holding out on the XS2 because it's a very original bike.

 

[JOHNDADDY]

I'll check my points when she acts up or before a long haul along with all the other normal stuff.
Oil, chain, valves, cam tensioner, batt etc. Never had points fail on a ride. Replaced may be every 3 or 4 years.
Condensers are another story, carried an extra in my saddle bags along with tools for a quick change.
Over revving will destroy the spark advance unit and leave you dead in the water though.
The only true weak part of the system IMHO.
Nope ya ain't got to hit me in the head with a hammer twice. Takes at least four or five times.
X3 so far for me.

 

[Krogh]

Anybody know where to buy new points, brushes etc? Can you purchase the unit or do you buy the parts?

 

[Its been a long time]

Anybody know where to buy new points, brushes etc? Can you purchase the unit or do you buy the parts?

Widely available. Though I have had a hard time finding points (and condensers) at a reasonable price that aren't Chinese.

Can still buy OEM Yamaha points, but I found one set costs almost as much as the electronic ignition conversation kit. I am converting my 77 XS650D to electronic ignition this week.

 

[Krogh]

Okay I see points & condenser on MikesXS but haven’t found any brushes. Do u know of a source for those?
Thanks!

 

[Its been a long time]

Okay I see points condenser on MikesXS but have found any brushes. Do u know if a source for those?
Thanks!

I'm sure a member from that side of the Atlantic will answer that question very shortly.

 

[Krogh]

Widely available. Though I have had a hard time finding points (and condensers) at a reasonable price that aren't Chinese.

Can still buy OEM Yamaha points, but I found one set costs almost as much as the electronic ignition conversation kit. I am converting my 77 XS650D to electronic ignition this week.

What kit are you installing?

 

[Its been a long time]

What kit are you installing?

Boyer Bransden. There's quite a few choices out there. Ideally, I would have gone with a Tri-Spark kit. But circumstances worked against me so Boyer Bransden it is. Should get delivered to me tomorrow morning.

 

[Krogh]

Boyer Bransden. There's quite a few choices out there. Ideally, I would have gone with a Tri-Spark kit. But circumstances worked against me so Boyer Bransden it is. Should get delivered to me tomorrow morning.

Good luck with it!