GS450T igniter replacement

[Apocalypse Pimp]

Greetings everyone, I am a first time bike owner determined to get my GS450T running. I am redoing the wiring harness, and have discovered that my igniter is dead. I really don't want to spend the ~$400 for a "new" one or a brand new custom made one. Is it possible or has anyone had any success using an igniter unit from other bikes that are more common? (e.g. a Honda CB or something similar) Or, can I make my own using a design somewhere. (I cant design it, but I can solder and follow instructions)

Cheers, and thanks for your time,
-Apocalypse Pimp

[Gorminrider]

Your best bet is still to look for a second hand working Suzuki TCI...these were used in many Suzukis of the period and not specific to a 450.

Hondas often use CDI versus TCI but one variety of Honda I know that does use TCI is the 81 GL500(CX500uses CDI)...as to specs like dwell etc., you will need to look into it. Also, timing-whether you can use your (hopefully)existing Suzuki sensors-you want near the same impedance/resstance and timing to suit.

Making one will require fabricating the board before you get started and that is beyond most of us...I think I would look into putting points in before I'd ever go there...(perhaps from the earlier GS400,425..might fit right in? might not)

[Apocalypse Pimp]

Thanks for the advice. This may be a dumb question, but is it possible to fit points to a bike that was not initially designed with them? If so, would a dyna S ignition work, even though the bike was designed for a TCI?

[tom203]

Thanks for the advice. This may be a dumb question, but is it possible to fit points to a bike that was not initially designed with them? If so, would a dyna S ignition work, even though the bike was designed for a TCI?

Yes, the dyna can be adapted to work with the 450.....the dyna plate needs to be modified to clear the oil sender, plus you need the right bushing mounted on the crankshaft end.
member Pete in the land down under has done this...send him a PM for details.

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[Grimly]

If you really want to roll your own, google for 'kawasaki HEI ignition' and you'll find a design for using the GM HEI ignition modules with bike ignition triggers.
It's a dirt-cheap method of making an electronic ignition setup. However, it's only any good to you if your bike has mechanical ignition advance.