Electronic Ign.

[GarysMK1]

Afternoon gents.
If you were going to put electronic ignition on a 1960 850 and do away with the points, would you go for the "Powerspark" just magnet type kit or opt for the complete distributor ? Need a 100% reliable alternative
Any recommendations ?

[Fanfaniracing]

I used this many times with success:

http://minispares.com/product/Classic/E ... o%20search

[MiNiKiN]

Depends if your existing dizzy is in good condition.

I opted for a complete unit like this, but haven't had the oportunity to test it yet.
http://minispares.com/product/Classic/E ... o%20search

[Fanfaniracing]

Depends if your existing dizzy is in good condition.

I opted for a complete unit like this, but haven't had the oportunity to test it yet.
http://minispares.com/product/Classic/E ... o%20search

They also work.

Fitted two of them without a problem. Good value if your Dizzy is totally scrap

[Spider]

I opted for a complete unit like this, but haven't had the oportunity to test it yet.
http://minispares.com/product/Classic/E ... o%20search

I have bought many distributors from lots of suppliers. Of all those I tested, only those from Mini Spares were on Spec, the others were a lucky dip. They are a well made unit and curved with care. In the medium term, they have shown themselves to last well too.

These are good.

[1071 S]

Looking at Minispares blurb attached to that URL throws up a couple of issues....

My vacuum advance definitely does not retard timing under load... rather it advances it under light load .. pretty much like all the vac advance systems I've seen. Does the MS system work differently ... or is it just bad copywriting.

As for getting rid of "bounce" - they probably mean spark scatter... a belt drive system will go along way to removing any scatter remaining after you get rid of any slop between the dizzy shaft and its bearing.

The other problem with such devices is that it will probably work well if you have a perfectly box stock (i.e. no overbore etc) 850 or 998. When I bought a new dizzy from Aldon many years ago they told me that if I gave them the engine spec they would build me a unit with the "proper" advance curve. When we finally got the car on the dyno the curve was rubbish.. Although, it was a relatively simple job to replace the springs/weights etc so that it worked properly.

And its been fine for many years.

I think if I was doing again today I would be looking at one of the computerised (i.e. re-writable ) systems that uses the dizzy as simply a device to distribute the spark.

Cheers, Ian

[111Robin]

There is ofcourse the arguement that a mechanical switch is more reliable than an electronic one, and can be easily repaired at the roadside unlike electronics. Points aren't inherently unreliable, it's just a switch. Make sure it's clean and correctly gapped and it's not an issue. If you're into specific advance curves for performance gains fair enough but on a boggo 850 I'd be running points for sure.

[agricola]

These chaps will recondition or supply new unit
https://www.h-h-ignitionsolutions.co.uk/

[Peter Laidler]

I don't know if it still holds good today but British bikers, including me and clearly Robin111 above, used to say that an electronic distributor is no better than a correctly set-up mechanical distributor. There's a couple of down sides of course, but there's plenty of UP sides as well. Especially if you're stuck at the roadside in Leeds on your Commando - with a duff electronic distributor. Mechanicals for me on an older car

[mk1]

No such thing as a 100% reliable solution.

All setups have pro's & con's.

Standard Set Up:
Pro: If it breaks down, its easy to fix even at the side of the road.
Con: Needs maintaining, spare parts are cheap but always an idea to carry spares.

Aldon Igniter (as recommended above)
Pros: Very reliable, easy to set up.
Cons: If it does break down you are screwed.

Special Dizzy:
Pros. can be tailored easily to most ignition configurations. Easy to fit.
Cons. See cons above.

Personally on a Standardish car I'd stick with the standard set up. On a modified car I tend to use the electronic dizzy that suits the cam & c/r. I used to be a great fan of the igniter, but have had a couple fail over the years & when they do, they cause loads of bother getting home if you don't have a spare with you.

[Andrew1967]

As Mark says, nothing is 100% reliable.

I've used Accuspark before and have been extremely impressed. Can't say how long it lasts though as sold the vehicle.

Dad has it on his Landcrab and is also impressed, BUT does carry a spare baseplate with a set up points/condenser on it, just in case.

Still got old school points condenser on the other cars and haven't had any problems really.