mechanical or electronic advance ignition.

[Redman]

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An '81 <should> have mechanical advance. The electronic advance in the ignitor came in late '82 and continued with the '83 and newer models.
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How can someone determine if they have the mecanical advance or not?
I have seen such on my 79 kz400 and on car/trucks fom 50s and 60s and early 70s, the fly weights and springs and such.

But looking at my 82 GS1100GK I am not sure.
(GKZ which is the not the later 82, GK2)

(I have since replaced the gasket.)

[Nessism]

Electronic advance on 850/1100G starting in 1982, other than the 850GL which made the switch a year later.

[cowboyup3371]

I'm interested in the answer too Redman as I'd like to know what to look for even on my 550s

[Redman]

Electronic advance on 850/1100G starting in 1982, other than the 850GL which made the switch a year later.

"In 82".... meaning part way thru the model year..? or for all of 82 model year.....?

And, how do I tell just by looking at what I have...?

Also note: For the 1100GK for 1982 model year there are GKZ, and are GK2 that are later 82 and had the paint scheme and other things more like the 83 (but not the black engines).

[Eli69]

wouldn't you be able to move the cam part a little on a mechanical advance? also you should be able to see the weights or springs through there somewhere if it's mechanical advance.

[tom203]

wouldn't you be able to move the cam part a little on a mechanical advance? also you should be able to see the weights or springs through there somewhere if it's mechanical advance.

Yes, grab it and try to twist it clockwise... If it moves about 30 degrees,it's a mechanical advancer-

[Nessism]

"In 82".... meaning part way thru the model year..? or for all of 82 model year.....?

And, how do I tell just by looking at what I have...?

Also note: For the 1100GK for 1982 model year there are GKZ, and are GK2 that are later 82 and had the paint scheme and other things more like the 83 (but not the black engines).

All 1100G's used the electronic advance. You can see what a mechanical advance unit looks like by checking out the parts fishe for earlier bikes. Those bikes don't use a large disc shaped piece on the end of the rotor either.

[Redman]

Thanks Ed.
Good definite description. Answers question I have wondered about for quite some time.

I understand is ignitors (that don’t have the internal advance) that are meant to be used with the mechanical advance . And are ignitors that have the internal advance that are meant to be used on bikes that don’t have the mechanical advance.
next thing I have been wondering: on a bike like mine without mechanical advance, would it be possible for some PO to have plugged in the wrong ignitor ....? And, would it run, but not have power is should at higher rpm??
(Suppose I can check the number, I see they have part number on them.)

[fbody_mike]

I can't say if Suzuki changed the connectors to prevent plugging the wrong ignitor in, but I am guessing it is technically possible. In any case, even if you know the ignitor is the correct one with internal timing advance, you should always check that it is actually operating. Just throw a timing light on plug wire 4 and check the timing at idle and check the advance by revving it up through out the rpm range. I do this with all my bikes to make sure I am getting the correct timing, mechanical advance or not. Come to think of it, I neglect to check coil 2 3, I have always just assumed if one coil was advancing the other would too.

Oh and without ignition advance, mid range and high rpm would feel low on power, mileage would be rotten, and the motor and exhaust will get very hot.

[bwringer]

You can see the difference here:

http://www.bwringer.com/gs/tdc.html

[salty_monk]

Thanks Ed.
Good definite description. Answers question I have wondered about for quite some time.

I understand is ignitors (that don’t have the internal advance) that are meant to be used with the mechanical advance . And are ignitors that have the internal advance that are meant to be used on bikes that don’t have the mechanical advance.
next thing I have been wondering: on a bike like mine without mechanical advance, would it be possible for some PO to have plugged in the wrong ignitor ....? And, would it run, but not have power is should at higher rpm??
(Suppose I can check the number, I see they have part number on them.)

Yes it's possible you have a mechanical advance ignitor rather than an electronic I guess... but it would be a lot worse than you seem to suggest. In theory all the electronic ones (with advance on circuit) should work if wired up right, as they are a pretty simple & similar advance curve.

When my ignitor went out (albeit on an 80 1000G with mechanical advance) I had the symptoms you describe. Fine up to about 6k rpm. The manual test (with the 1.5v battery connected) pinpointed it.