... condensers ...

[RandyRex]

Hi guys & gals, got a question concerning the condensers, hoping one of you can help, is there a specific type of automotive condenser that will serve as a replacement for the ones in my 79 GS850? Chasing parts on the intergoogles is not always rewarding, and I hope to use a car set, if possible. That way, Auto-Zone can be my instant buddies for a day and spare me the repetitive "we don't have those type ..." ...

[Grimly]

Car condensers vary from 1uF to 5uF, from my direct observation over the years. Really depends on the other characteristics of the ignition system and what the designer wanted from it, so that in turn dictates the capacitance value. I'm not sure I ever knew the values of the GS condensers, as mine had been replaced by a solid state ignition by the PO. However, nowadays it's trivially easy to measure capacitance with a decent multimeter, so find a good one and see what it is.

Now, if you take a good quality (not Chinesium fake) cap and mount it remotely, there will likely be a limit as to how remote it can be, but there's only one way to find out. Cheap enough to do it and see if it works. If you're lucky you might find a car cap that's a good physical fit in the original location.

[cowboyup3371]

Parts Outlaw (https://www.partsoutlaw.com/oemparts...ontact-breaker) has them (Number 8 on this fiche)-

CONDENSER 33261-33010 $14.07

[RandyRex]

Car condensers vary from 1uF to 5uF, from my direct observation over the years. Really depends on the other characteristics of the ignition system and what the designer wanted from it, so that in turn dictates the capacitance value. I'm not sure I ever knew the values of the GS condensers, as mine had been replaced by a solid state ignition by the PO. However, nowadays it's trivially easy to measure capacitance with a decent multimeter, so find a good one and see what it is.

Now, if you take a good quality (not Chinesium fake) cap and mount it remotely, there will likely be a limit as to how remote it can be, but there's only one way to find out. Cheap enough to do it and see if it works. If you're lucky you might find a car cap that's a good physical fit in the original location.

that is the plan. I don't have a good one. Cheers for the reply.

[RandyRex]

Parts Outlaw (https://www.partsoutlaw.com/oemparts...ontact-breaker) has them (Number 8 on this fiche)-

CONDENSER 33261-33010 $14.07

Thank you.

[RandyRex]

Does anyone know what the specs for the condensers even are? I have tried googling, but the internet is no longer designed to render quick, accurate answers.

[GregT]

All I can find suggests .25uF I don't know if the info you need is in the manuals on Basscliff's site. Worth a look.

[RandyRex]

cheers, mate

All I can find suggests .25uF I don't know if the info you need is in the manuals on Basscliff's site. Worth a look.

had a shufty, nuffink

[Nessism]

The KZ650 is similar and uses 4 ohm coils, and the spec is .24uF for the capacitor.

[748cc]

ND ignitions are .18uf; Kokusans are .25uf. Hope this helps

[RandyRex]

The KZ650 is similar and uses 4 ohm coils, and the spec is .24uF for the capacitor.

Cheers, mate, I appreciate the info. I'm getting exasperated by this bike, I used to have the patience of Solomon, but .... damn. =D I was driving trucks, had all kinds of $$, turned Baby over to 2 shops. $2,800 later, and no longer driving trucks, I'm learning Baby as I should have, many moons ago thought money would alleviate the need for knowledge oops .. now, I'm like Cliff, learning to wrench my own, but info .... mein gott, is that ever elusive. Thank you. My actual thought, here, is: condensers are collection buckets for excess voltage, during the opening of the points. How specific a match do they really need to be, as long as they hold up to high temps and absorb the same/more than original design?

[RandyRex]

ND ignitions are .18uf; Kokusans are .25uf. Hope this helps

EVERYTHING helps, Thank you!

[Grimly]

How specific a match do they really need to be, as long as they hold up to high temps and absorb the same/more than original design?

Too low and they won't do much, too high and they'll do too much. Either way will affect the quality (or existence) of the spark. As I said, the designer had certain characteristics in mind which led to the choice of components, and the coils pretty much dictate the condenser size.

[RandyRex]

Too low and they won't do much, too high and they'll do too much. Either way will affect the quality (or existence) of the spark. As I said, the designer had certain characteristics in mind which led to the choice of components, and the coils pretty much dictate the condenser size.

I'm absolutely a believer. I actually found the answer in a 20th Century version of the intergoogles machines, it's in the manual ... (slap me on the ass and call me "idiot savante" ..) it's 0.16 - 0.20 uF I didn't want to have to guess at the requirements, because ... what you said. So, I can, at least, look through AutoZones and Advanced Autos offerings, they might have the exact config I desire. Cheers, mate you and the others are fantastic help!

[cowboyup3371]

Why not just go stock and be done with it - no guess work and you get what works the first time.