Ignighter box

[Sdb]

Hello from St. John's, Newfoundland. I recently purchased a 81 GS250, I have been told that the bike does not have spark. I have not actually checked yet (I am awaiting delivery of a Haynes manual). My question was whether or not the CDI from some other bike would work for mine? and if it so what would I look for? If not where could I get one? I am just trying to do some preliminary leg work while I am waiting for the manual to arrive. Any info would be greatly appreciatied. Thanks Steve

[Nessism]

You don't need a manual to check for spark. Remove the spark plugs, stick them back into the sockets and lay the metal portion on the side of the engine, turn on the ignition and turn over the engine - You should see spark. Make sure the spark plugs are good of course, or just get new ones to be sure.

Regarding ignitors, if you go to one of the common on-line parts sellers you can check to see if any other models use the same ignitor as your 250 - maybe the 450 or 300. Not sure. Also, make sure all your electrical connections are clean. I had intermittent spark on an old 450 I owned due to poor electrical connections.

Good luck and hope this helps.

[Matchless]

Hi, welcome to the forum. BassCliff will be around soon and give you his formal mega welcome. On his website you will find most of waht you need as well as a method for testing some ignitors (incorrectly refered to as CDI's)
Use the search function and you will get a wealth of information.
Enjoy fixing and riding your bike.

[BassCliff]

Greetings and Salutations!!

Hi Mr. Sdb,

I've collected some notes on how to test your ignition system. Mr. Matchless also has a guide documenting ignitor repair and fault finding. But the main reason I'm here is to welcome yout to the forum. I'm glad you've found us. Come on in and make yourself at home! Let me say, "Howdy!"...

Here is your very own magical, mystical, mythical, mind-expanding "mega-welcome". Please take notice of the "Top 10 Common Issues", the Carb Rebuild Series, and the Stator Papers. Now let me roll out the welcome mat for you...

Please click here for your mega-welcome, chock full of tips, suggestions, links to vendors, and other information. Then feel free to visit my little BikeCliff website where I've been collecting the wisdom of this generous community. Don't forget, we like pictures! Not you, your bike!

Thanks for joining us. Keep us informed.

Thank you for your indulgence,

BassCliff

[salty_monk]

Yes, GS450 and GS250 uses the same ignitor.
But I seriously condemn the route of buying a used part based on dying electronics components that's over 5 years-old from ebay or junk-dawgs when you can repair your own or make a replacement for under $50.00

Purchased 20 yr-old Electronic parts for a ridiculous amt. of $$$ is simply, stupidity.
Also, the last time I checked, no one offers a replacement for these range GS's.

Please start a thread on the repair / replacement. I'm sure it would be deemed very useful.
I agree going new is a better way & generally would recommend a Dyna S over a used ignitor box...
The ignitor on my 801000G had a board fully encased in Epoxy I believe so wouldn't that make repair pretty difficult if they are all like that??

Best,

Dan

[salty_monk]

There is a diagram for a home made "igniter" using a GM ignition module or two somewhere... I'm guessing that could work here. Matchless has it on his site from memory.

Wouldn't you be able to use one of the V twin boxes? Presumably if you can get a trigger from your existing setup (or even use points for a mechanical trigger) & have a mechanical advance then they could be made to work. There must be some kind of aftermarket for the old Triumphs etc available....

[teddux]

Please start a thread on the repair / replacement. I'm sure it would be deemed very useful.
I agree going new is a better way & generally would recommend a Dyna S over a used ignitor box...
The ignitor on my 801000G had a board fully encased in Epoxy I believe so wouldn't that make repair pretty difficult if they are all like that??

Best,

Dan

Contact Andre, I gave him ALL.

[Matchless]

The ignitor on my 801000G had a board fully encased in Epoxy I believe so wouldn't that make repair pretty difficult if they are all like that??

Salty, the schematic I have is for the GS1000G OEM Igniter. The two GM modules also work quite well.

My igniter was not potted like yours so it was easier to read the circuits.

I have just finished removing all the potting from an encased turn cancel controller by dipping it in paint thinners (2K) and removing the softened parts every day. It took about a week and five minutes per day with a small watchmakers screwdriver.
Do not use a heatgun, you will melt the capacitor labels and break some parts in frustation!

One day when I am bored I will try and draw up the schematic for the turn cancelling unit.