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Are ignition coils interchangable.

  • Thread starter Thread starter Grumpy
  • Start date Start date
G

Grumpy

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Hello folks, as this is my first post please forgive any breaches of site rules. My question is this, I'm trying to breathe life back into a 1980 550 L (USA SPEC.) that was left lying beside a shed for ages. I've rebuilt the engine and replased all bearings and bushes on the frame and wheels etc now the fun bit,
rewire the thing. Thanks to this site and basscliff's diagrams the wiring no longer seems like total martian or ancient Greek. My problem is that I have a good set of coils for a points type gs 550 E that a friend donated. Will these work on the electronic setup on the L. Parts for any gs550 are hard to come by here so I'm hoping thr E coils work if not on to ebay.If anyone can throw some light on this I'd be very grateful. My camera is on holiday with my daughter at the minute but when it returns I'll post a few pictures of the state of play. Many thanks Jimmy.
 
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If the coils have the same primary resistance they should work ok. You don't want to put coils with a different resistance (especially lower resistance) on electronic ignition systems as you can fry the ignitor if too much current goes through it.
 
Many thanks, I'll put a meter across the coils and see what I've got.
 
The electronic coils on the factory system were a minimum of 3ohms, and the points coils around 4ohms. You can use the points coils on the electronic box, but not the other way around (won't apply to you, but the current being drawn through the points would increase and burn them out a bit quicker, and the coils would run hotter). Using points coils on your electronic ignitor will work, but you might have a weaker spark than you'd like - if it runs, but could be better, you can keep an eye open for a closer match.
Most bikes of and around that era with electronic ignition used the 3ohm coils - the Kwacks, 'Ondas, etc. I was happily using CBR1000 coils on mine for years.
What you must avoid is using newer coils without checking them first - many coils of a later vintage were lower than 3ohms and they'll draw too much current via the ignitor box, leading it to fry expensively.
 
AW82 Honda coils are around 3 ohm and have replaceable (IE: screw in) leads. They were pretty much on all the CB650/750/900/1100 DOHC models and are readily available second hand.

The guys on the KZ1300 forums rave about them as they are a direct swap for their bikes and improve the spark out of sight.
 
Grumpy said:
Parts for any gs550 are hard to come by here so I'm hoping thr E coils work if not on to ebay.
Click to expand...

Grimly said:
Most bikes of and around that era with electronic ignition used the 3ohm coils - the Kwacks, 'Ondas, etc. I was happily using CBR1000 coils on mine for years.
Click to expand...

My 1100E has coils and plug wires off a 90's GSXR600. The coils bolted straight onto the existing coil mounts and are the typical 3 ohm resistance and work fine for me. The wires (which are integral to the coils, not removable) are the correct lengths and also work fine.


Mark
 
Use the 4-5ohm coils with the newer ignition. Just don't use the lower ohm coils with the points.
 
Looks like AW82s are the way to go as I intend to move the coils anyway. The points type coils have integral leads so that's another idea out the window. Thanks for the info.
 
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