'79 GS550 coils

[Guest]

I bought my 79 GS550 without coils and if im gonna spend money on some id like to get something that will last as long as the bike. but ive read a handful of contradictory posts and articles about what i can get to put on it. some say i can get anything 3 ohm others are saying i have to have, or cant have the dyna ignition system. i just cant seem to get a straight answer. what coils do i need?

[Nessism]

Your factory service manual details out the ohm rating of the stock coils for your bike. The '79 550 came with points so the coils need an appropriate amount of resistance or the points will burn and have a poor service life.

You can install a Dyna S on your bike if you desire. Before ordering you need to find out what kind of advance unit the bike has, there are two different options. Tons of posts in the archives detailing out how to tell. If you get a Dyna S then you can use any coils with between 3-5 ohms. Most guys going that way get the GREEN Dyna coils. I wouldn't use those coils with a points system though.

[booda_33]

Id like to keep the points. but i cant find anything in the service manual provided by BikeCliff that tells me the proper resistance for those.

Your factory service manual details out the ohm rating of the stock coils for your bike. The '79 550 came with points so the coils need an appropriate amount of resistance or the points will burn and have a poor service life.

You can install a Dyna S on your bike if you desire. Before ordering you need to find out what kind of advance unit the bike has, there are two different options. Tons of posts in the archives detailing out how to tell. If you get a Dyna S then you can use any coils with between 3-5 ohms. Most guys going that way get the GREEN Dyna coils. I wouldn't use those coils with a points system though.

[Nessism]

Please look again. I'm positive the resistance values are in the manual. Typically in the range of 4 ohms for points coils. The Dyna black coils will work. Or just find a good set of TEC coils. You can replace the wires even though they are glued to the coil. Tons of info in the archives on that.

[tom203]

Id like to keep the points. but i cant find anything in the service manual provided by BikeCliff that tells me the proper resistance for those.

since this model has points setup, your coil's primary resistance will be likely 4 ohms,maybe 5 ohms (less current)
Ignition coils are durable, I've had a bunch of ebay units and all tested good, so fear not on getting used units.
Some mounting points/methods/connecters are different. Here's a set from a 750, as an example

http://www.ebay.com/itm/IGNITION-COILS-SET-1978-SUZUKI-GS-750-GS750-Tested-Working-Plus-Wires-/201869636707?hash=item2f005e3463:g:5PAAAOSwDKtY2aij&vxp=mtr

how come your coils are missing?

[Nessism]

The coil spec is on page 183 of the factory manual. "Approx. 4 ohms"

I agree that getting used coils is low risk. Again, you can pull out the wires and install some new 7mm copper core wires in the holes along with new NGK plug caps. If you go this route I'd remove the outer wire protector off the old wires, clean them up with WD-40, and then slip them over the top of your new wires before you install the wires onto the old coils.

[booda_33]

Im working with the PO to try and track them down if hes got em, otherwise they have just been lost in time somewhere.

since this model has points setup, your coil's primary resistance will be likely 4 ohms,maybe 5 ohms (less current)
Ignition coils are durable, I've had a bunch of ebay units and all tested good, so fear not on getting used units.
Some mounting points/methods/connecters are different. Here's a set from a 750, as an example

http://www.ebay.com/itm/IGNITION-COILS-SET-1978-SUZUKI-GS-750-GS750-Tested-Working-Plus-Wires-/201869636707?hash=item2f005e3463:g:5PAAAOSwDKtY2aij&vxp=mtr

how come your coils are missing?