New Universal Ignition System

[Six-Five-O]

I have a stock 76 xs650c and want to get rid of those damn breaker points, but i'm a little confused as to how your one transistor drives both left and right coils?

The XS-650 motor, using the 360 degree crank, is capable of having both cylinders fired at the exact same time, as one cylinder is on the firing stroke, while the other is on the exhaust stroke..It's called a wasted spark set up..All stock XS-650s from 1980 up operate on the wasted spark principle. The 80 model and up are equipped with two versions of an Hitachi TCI ignition system. They also have a dual-output coil and a crank triggered pick-up assembly instead of the 2 separate coils and 2 condensers and 2 sets of points used by the 79 and earlier XS-650s...Pete's system makes use of a dual output coil as well if I am recalling it correctly..I'll likely convert my machine over to Pete's ignition to do away with the factory TCI I still have firing my 82.

[pamcopete]

Just want to thank all of you who have responded so well to my system introduction. I tried to build a system that suited the needs of the members as I understood them to be over the past year, and apparently the system is just what you all wanted.

Thanks again

[moya034]

I just finished installing pampcopete's system on my '76 xs650.

IT WORKS BEAUTIFULLY. I love it. The best part about this system is it's sheer simplicity. There is nothing to go wrong. The parts themselves are very professionally made.

The installation is very easy to do, and the best part: I had the engine PERFECTLY timed in less then a few minutes of time. No cussing involved. DEATH TO BREAKER POINTS.

Thanks pete for making such a great system.

[pamcopete]

moya034

Well, thanks... ..it's like I used to say.....we don't make much money here, but we have a lotta fun! So, I'm not gonna get rich on this project, but I do really enjoy just providing a missing link so we can all keep our XS's going forever, and your feedback is much appreciated! ;D

[excessive650]

Just recieved my Pamcopete ignition system, excellent build quality and took all of 5 min to install.

[damian721]

I swear to gorb that if/when I get my hands on a standard, I'm lookin' pete up!

Damian.

[pamcopete]

damien721

Why wait? I have my system installed in my '81/H and I like it better than the TCI, which still works, by the way. The main positive difference I found was that it starts much better because my system will work down to 6 volts on the battery when the starter draws the battery down, but also good to know in case the charging system quits. I will be able to ride a lot longer on just the battery. The TCI typically doesn't work very well below 9 volts.

The transistor that I use to actually fire the coil was not even available when the TCI system was new, so it is the latest IGBT technology and has a lower saturated voltage than earlier transistors, such as the one in the TCI, which translates to higher current through the coil, and a hotter spark, even with the stock coil.

[damian721]

Yeah, but don't I have to basically set my bike up for points to begin with (minus the points, of course)? Ie all those bushings, etc. As well as installing the ATU?

Don't get me wrong, I'm sorely tempted by the lower draw, fool-proofedness, and hotter spark.... Your's is a one-coil set-up, too, yes?

Damian.

EDIT: Nevermind on that one-coil thing.... I just re-read the whole thread and got the skinny in the 1st post...

[pamcopete]

damian721

Check the price of TCI's including the pickup coil on Ebay. Now is the time to sell before it quits. Apply the proceeds to a new system.

[damian721]

Well...if an ATU, and an advance rod fall in my lap, I'll have to look you up!

Damian.

BTW: The bushings and labyrinths for the rod can be installed without tearing into the motor, at all, yes? Just sorta tap 'em into place?

[pamcopete]

damian

Yes, that is correct.

[fitz57]

Just finished installing my unversal ignition on my 80 street tracker motor. Stole the ATU out of a 77 motor I have. Ignition was the easy part. ATU was fairly easy to install also. Bought the new bushings from Mike's XS. Also intalled the magneto from Powerdynamo. This is a no battery, kick start only setup. The hard part will be timing, since the new rotor has no timing mark. I Plan on buying another universal ignition for my stock 77.

Pete, my on/off switch is under the seat and I plan on a kill switch on handle bars. How can I wire this to coil. Also the ground wire on your ignition setup is also the ground for the coil? I'm using TCI coil from Mike's.

Awesome product Pete.

[pamcopete]

Well, the coil is not grounded. It gets a switched ground from the transistor in the Universal Ign System on the green wire. The transistor in turn gets the ground from the black wire. Here's a little wiring diagram that might help:




The system should be ideal for a kick start magneto setup because it will work all the way down to 3 volts. The limiting factor will be the coil, which should work down to 6 volts, so you don't need a lot of voltage to fire it up. Just make sure that everything else, lights etc. are turned off when you start. Initial timing in the middle of the upper left timing adjustment slot should get it started.

When you get her fired up, please post some pics for other members with a similar setup.

[fitz57]

Thanks for the help Pete. Hope to fire my Tracker up within a week or two. Need to finish the wiring and a bunch of other little things. Got the capacitor from Trailtech and it's almost the size of a 12oz beer can. So I ordered the one from Accel which is a lot smaller in size.
I will be posting pics of the entire project in the near future.

[stevesemti]

Hello Pamcopete,
I'm very intrigued with what looks like a crazy simple ignition setup, I will PM you for price. My only question, does this require a condensor or does this wire right to the coils? Also, you mentioned you would post a list of compatible coils, is the 80-84 coil that MikesXS sells (Part #17-6803) on that list?
Thanks!
Steve