1980 GS550 condenser problem

[tobaccorancher]

One more thing as a sanity check? Can you measure the impedance spark plug cap to spark plug cap (1-4, 2-3). Also, measure the impedance of each spark plug to check for infinite impedance tip to ground and 0 impedance tip to center electrode?

[reabo]

I have tried reusing the failed ones yes, to no improvement. I have not tested any, but have found a method on t'internet for a basic check which I shall do when I get back into the garage.
I do not know if the have gone open circuit or short but will be checking, hopefully tomorrow.
The known good one has not been fitted. I have been connecting with crocodile clips. The lead to the spade connector of the suspect one, the mounting frame (outside of condensor) to the engine casing. The difference on the strobe is instant. A reliable and timed light showing the timing Mark aligned. As soon as it is removed the determination is instant. The strobe flashes all over the place. I have connected the strobe to my Yam 900 an is working correctly.
All suggestions are good suggestions and may get my head going in the right direction.

[reabo]

Will also check the plugs. I have been inundated with grand children this weekend who quite possibly are not going home till Tuesday. So garage time is very scarce till then.

[reabo]

Today's update
voltage at coils..... 12.7 volts. Relay mod done on coils.

Primary coil resistance 1+4.....3.9 ohms
2+3.....4 ohms

secondary coil resistance
1+4..........16.13k ohms
2+3...........15.29k ohms

have bought myself a Dyna DS2-3 and get rid of the points so I can ride the bike instead of banging my head against it.
Fitted the Dyna, doing the timing and found the auto advance jammed and not working. The rotor which came with the Dyna is 28.71mm long. The one on the bike is 27.91mm long. So the by was clamping the advance preventing it operating. ( I am making a spacer to make it possible to fit it to the bike, the sensors are working with the discrepancy in length).

It would seem I have the advance of one type of timing and the points plate of the other. It goes back to a question I asked earlier, are the parts interchangable? Was this causing the problems I was experiencing?
I will update on the Dyna when is fitted.

[reabo]

Forgot to add, the condensors failed open circuit.

[tobaccorancher]

I was leaning toward something being found to be incorrect when you went through everything. As you said, the circuit is pretty simple, really no black magic going on. I am surprised that you had so many condensers fail. Maybe the condensers that we have just aren't like they used to be, as Gorminder alluded to. While you are into it, I recommend that you measure the spark plugs. I found one that was working, but was bad using an ohm-meter. I guess that I'll be the only guy that still has points now that you are going solid-state!

[Grimly]

Forgot to add, the condensors failed open circuit.

Likely duff brand-x caps.

[reabo]

Plugs tested all good.

Dyna fitted, timing set. Run it on the bench, all plugs firing and checked advance. Sounds luvverly and crisp. Take it for a twenty mile run tomorrow and see what happens.

[phydeauxmutt]

I am going to question something that nobody else has mentioned so far.

The title says it's a 1980 550. On our side of the pond, none of the 1980 bikes had points or kick starters.

Does your bike have a kick starter, as well? It might be a 1979 model that was first sold (and registered) in 1980.

[reabo]

It has points and a kickstart.

The PO had this one and another a year younger. He spent 20 years trying to get them going to no avail and sold them, one to me one elsewhere. I think during that time he swapped over some of the parts and ended up mixing up the parts from both ignition systems. I got the bike running before rebuilding but didn't ride it (he had the cam for opening the points 180 degrees out).

The bike was registered in 1980, but could well have been manufactured in 1979, will check VIN numbers.

[phydeauxmutt]

If it has points AND a kick starter, it's definitely a '79 bike.

That said, it might have come off the assembly line as early as August, 1978. :shock:

[reabo]

Took it out for a ride and WOW. What a difference. Even better, loads better than when the points were working properly. Did 40 miles and loved every inch. First twenty taking it easy, listening to the engine waiting for it to start missing. The second twenty riding like a loon and keeping the revs up to see if it broke.
Got home and noticed a strange wire hanging down at the back.
It was then I noticed that my back light and numberplate were missing. I knew I shouldn't have jumped that humped back bridge. Got it running brilliant and now am waiting for a number plate and light.
so yes, it broke. Just not where I thought it would.
I am not sure life wants me to ride this bike.

And anyone considering fitting a Dyna ,DO IT TODAY.
Seriously you will not regret it.

I have come to the conclusion that it was either cheap crap Chinese points/condensors or the the condensors could have been a bigger capacity. Maybe one day I will go back and look again, but not this summer too much riding to be done.

[ajh]

Funnily enough I just too started getting weird problems after tweaking my timing on one side. Its been running fine since I timed it about 1500 miles ago but I noticed it had slipped a couple degrees on one side so I thought I'd tweak it and now I cannot get it running right. It seems to get worse as the bike warms up. The points on that side were also quite badly burnt up so I suspect a condensor. 2 things to consider based on experience -
I've had problems before with condensors failing when they get hot.
I've also had problems with poor quality points and its difficult to know what youre buying, pattern points are a bit of a lottery these days! (this might explain the varying timing)
Anyway I always planned to put a dyna on at the next points change so Im not going to mess around, Ive just orderd a Dyna kit

[ajh]

Today's update
voltage at coils..... 12.7 volts. Relay mod done on coils.

Primary coil resistance 1+4.....3.9 ohms
2+3.....4 ohms

secondary coil resistance
1+4..........16.13k ohms
2+3...........15.29k ohms

have bought myself a Dyna DS2-3 and get rid of the points so I can ride the bike instead of banging my head against it.
Fitted the Dyna, doing the timing and found the auto advance jammed and not working. The rotor which came with the Dyna is 28.71mm long. The one on the bike is 27.91mm long. So the by was clamping the advance preventing it operating. ( I am making a spacer to make it possible to fit it to the bike, the sensors are working with the discrepancy in length).

It would seem I have the advance of one type of timing and the points plate of the other. It goes back to a question I asked earlier, are the parts interchangable? Was this causing the problems I was experiencing?
I will update on the Dyna when is fitted.

btw there are 2 dyna kits ds3-1 ds3-2 because there are 2 types of cam lobes. theres about 3mm difference in length I think. So I guess you got the wrong kit. Dyna will supply a replacement cam lobe /rotor if needed (been speaking with them to get the right one identified for my bike)

[reabo]

I did email Dyna and they were really helpful. I emailed the place I bought the Dyna from and they were really helpful. I used knowledge gained from here and all 3 of us pointed to the same kit, the DS3-2. The difference in height is 0.030". Luckily I have a lathe and a mill so I made myself a new 19 mm "nut" with the cut outs for the dogs for rotating the engine and all is good.
I don't blame Dyna for the wrong part, I think the OP mixed a load of parts up from the two bikes he had and subsequently sold. Maybe there is another guy in the UK having the same issues with their ignition as I did due to the swap over. Who knows. Haven't been out on the bike again yet as getting over a bad stomach bug, but hoping to this weekend.
And AJH go for it, don't waste your time, just fit the Dyna.