Substitute for Mikes XS Dual Output Ignition Coil?

[dougmuise]

Mike XS is out-of-stock on his 2.45 Ohm dual output coils that need to run with his electronic ignition. Can I substitute a 2.2-3.0 Ohm dual output Harley coil from eBay until Mike gets them back in stock so I can get back to riding? Or maybe one of these (pricey) 3.0 Ohm Accel units: https://www.holley.com/products/mar...ition/motorcycle_ignition_coils/parts/140403S

 

[kshansen]

I'll let others answer more on the use of the Harley Coil but from a personal experience I can say that doing just the opposite worked for me.
See I was having an ignition problem with my 1988 Sportster and was not sure if it was the coil breaking down after a short time running or the ignition module failing. I checked the coil spec's between the XS650 and the Sportster coils and they were very close. So I temporarily mounted a spare XS650 coil to the Sportster for a test run and sure enough ignition started breaking down at the same run time.

Then I replaced the ignition module and Sportster ran good after that. I think to some extent a coil is like a light bulb, as long as the resistance, voltage and such are close it should work. Maybe at the extreme ends of performance one might see a difference but for the most part that would not be noticeable.

Of course you would need to wear a beanie helmet when riding with the Harley coil!

 

[jetmechmarty]

My is buy the Accel or Dyna coil and be done with it. Only after the OE has failed, of course. You won't have the wear the beanie helmet.

 

[dougmuise]

My is buy the Accel or Dyna coil and be done with it. Only after the OE has failed, of course. You won't have the wear the beanie helmet.

I just pulled the trigger on the Accel. Thanks, jetmechmarty!

 

[dougmuise]

I'll let others answer more on the use of the Harley Coil but from a personal experience I can say that doing just the opposite worked for me.
See I was having an ignition problem with my 1988 Sportster and was not sure if it was the coil breaking down after a short time running or the ignition module failing. I checked the coil spec's between the XS650 and the Sportster coils and they were very close. So I temporarily mounted a spare XS650 coil to the Sportster for a test run and sure enough ignition started breaking down at the same run time.

Then I replaced the ignition module and Sportster ran good after that. I think to some extent a coil is like a light bulb, as long as the resistance, voltage and such are close it should work. Maybe at the extreme ends of performance one might see a difference but for the most part that would not be noticeable.

Of course you would need to wear a beanie helmet when riding with the Harley coil!

LOL, yeah I'm not seeing a beanie helmet in my future. Went with the Accel.

 

[wannabridin]

Mounting the Accel can be a bit challenging, but it fits in the stock location "well enough" :-D

 

[dougmuise]

Mounting the Accel can be a bit challenging, but it fits in the stock location "well enough" :-D

I might just "let it all hang out" and clamp on the frame downtubes (assuming plug wires will reach).

 

[jetmechmarty]

One or two of the custom vendors has an adaptor for it. I think one of them might have been Joker Machine.

 

[xjwmx]

Some of us are using Honda MP08 coils, which are inexpensive and plentiful. Many coils should work.