Coil compatability

[freki]

Quick (hopefully) question. I'm looking for new coils for my '80 GS850L. What kind of compatibility is there between different displacement/year bikes? For example, could I use coils from a 1981 GS1100 in my bike?

[waltfen]

I have coils from a GS650 on my GS550. I just had to alter the electrical connections.
Anyway they appear to work just the same.

[hampshirehog]

Might be different dimensions on the mounting points. I was going to put new GS550 coils on my GS1000 but they are about 1cm shorter, though I could make a mounting easy enough.

[freki]

So now I'm looking at aftermarket coils....the only ones I've found are the Dyna coils and Nology coils. Can anyone tell me if the Nology coils will fit my '80 GS850?

[phaserburn]

Dont forget accel coils. I will try and get you a link

[doctorgonzo]

Look at the specs for your bike and see how many ohms resistance it specifies. If it's a points bike, it will be 5, if electronic, it will be 3. Then buy the coil (Nology, Accel, Dyna) with the correct number of ohms and has the correct number of outputs (a pair of two output in this case). I got a pair on US ebay (where I am) for $135.00 plus shipping. If you were building a drag bike, you'd get the 1.5 ohms.

[freki]

The manual I found on the GS850 says primary impedance is "about 4 ohms".....? Is there a way to tell whether my ignition is points or electrical?

[doctorgonzo]

The manual I found on the GS850 says primary impedance is "about 4 ohms".....? Is there a way to tell whether my ignition is points or electrical?

The manual for my 1981 GS1000 says "3 to 5". I looked up your schematic on Babbits and it's electronic. Get the 3ohm coil. Go look at your schematic on one of the parts sites and make sure you don't have a ballast. I doubt it does. The total of the ballast and the coil should be 3 to 5 ohms. If you do have a ballast, take it out when you get the new coil and use coil only.

[seuadr]

well, i'm pretty new to bikes, but if you pull off the small round side cover, i believe on the right of the bike, you will see the points.. if they are little relay looking things that spin mechanically and spark, you have points.

http://www.bikebandit.com/houseofmotorcycles/suzuki-motorcycle-gs850gt-1980/o/m6122

i'm kinda a noob but looks to me like electronic.

[doctorgonzo]

well, i'm pretty new to bikes, but if you pull off the small round side cover, i believe on the right of the bike, you will see the points.. if they are little relay looking things that spin mechanically and spark, you have points.

http://www.bikebandit.com/houseofmotorcycles/suzuki-motorcycle-gs850gt-1980/o/m6122

i'm kinda a noob but looks to me like electronic.

HA!
You would be correct. I think 1979 is the last year for points on the GS series.

[salty_monk]

Yes 80 on has electronic. The Accel's seem to be a little easier to mount than the Dyna Greens due to the way the wires connect to the coil (The dyna ones are angled the accel come straight out).

price is about the same. Got mine from Z1 enterprises for about $120.

Dan

[freki]

well, i'm pretty new to bikes, but if you pull off the small round side cover, i believe on the right of the bike, you will see the points.. if they are little relay looking things that spin mechanically and spark, you have points.

http://www.bikebandit.com/houseofmotorcycles/suzuki-motorcycle-gs850gt-1980/o/m6122

i'm kinda a noob but looks to me like electronic.

Yeah I've got just relays there....it's electric I'm pretty sure.

Thanks everyone for all the help! :-D

[freki]

Z1 doesn't carry Accel coils any more (so it seems anyway). Would these Dyna coils work?

http://z1enterprises.com/detail.aspx?ID=2069

It would be nice to have the option of upgrading to a Dyna 2000 setup later on

[bubba]

I picked up a pair of Katana coils from a 2005 on e-bay. Like new with wires for $30. A lot cheaper than the aftermarkets. :-D

[earlfor]

Those coils are not to be used with a Dyna S ignition system. They are made for a Dyna 2000 or Dyna 3000. So it depends on what ignition system you plan to use. If you are using a stock Suzuki ignition, either electronic or points, those coils are incompatible with it.

Earl

Z1 doesn't carry Accel coils any more (so it seems anyway). Would these Dyna coils work?

http://z1enterprises.com/detail.aspx?ID=2069

It would be nice to have the option of upgrading to a Dyna 2000 setup later on