Triumphrat

01-21-2007, 03:01 PM

Well , you guys haven't failed me yet. So I seek your advice. I am contemplating installing an electronic ignition on my '76 T140V Bonneville. The bike runs great as is and starts easily, I am just thinking about down the road to have a bike that is easier to tune up and is more reliable. I am worried that the Boyer system has gremlins of its own. Three questions- (1)Do you think that a guy with average skills can install one of these? (2) How much do you think it would cost? (3) Do you think it is a smart move? You guys are the best! I value your input.
 
 
 

[ This message was edited by: mailman on 2007-01-21 15:20 ]

Hogtied · 01-21-2007, 05:31 PM

Personally, if I'm going to ride the bike, and not just look at it while it sits in the garage, it's going to have a Boyer electronic ignition.

Try to buy a car nowadays with points.. aren't too many of 'em left.

It's a great move - it'll cost ya about a hundred bucks, and depending on your skills you can install it yourself, although you do have to remember that you'll be removing the points, etc. I have a friend who works on Brit bikes - he installed mine.

My .02 cents.

hobbit · 01-21-2007, 05:50 PM

Put this in a thread search, this question comes up quite regularly. . . but I say yes, yes, yes.

pcn:

OldTimeBiker · 01-21-2007, 06:01 PM

Not that I am disparaging Boyer products, but I have continued to run the stock ignition on my '67 T120 without any problems. You do give up the ability to troubleshoot and repair in the field, so to speak. If you start with quality componants and keep them well maintained, reliability should not be a problem. You can carry spare points, condensers and even advance springs and parts with you. carrying a spare Boyer would be expensive, and in the event of failure, how do you accomplish timing in the field. You can always "eyeball/ballpark" timing with points, and get home.
 Just giving you the other side of the coin to think about.

[ This message was edited by: OldTimeBiker on 2007-01-21 19:44 ]

KADUTZ · 01-22-2007, 02:22 AM

[ This message was edited by: KADUTZ on 2007-01-27 17:21 ]

CommandoRdster · 01-22-2007, 03:12 AM

Quote:

On 2007-01-22 00:22, KADUTZ wrote:
Do as you desire I have stock ign (points) in all my Triumphs 70 thru 78. they are less sensitive to battery voltage among other things. If your bike has a bad points plate or auto advance unit go with Boyer otherwise I'd stay with the stock system .
 If you are able to tune up your bike you can install Boyer.
 Ifin it aint broke dont fix it :-D

I was just going to say "ditto'' and leave it at that,without going on my usual anti-electronic ignition rant, but I've had a little too much fresh brewed Kona.

Hogtied, I'm in the auto parts biz, and I sell at least a half dozen electronic ignition modules every day.

You don't ride British bikes for almost 30 years, like I have, and not have problems with points. I even had a problem with the points on my BMW once. Every time though, I was able to fix it roadside,at least enough to get home.Try that with a little black box. And, like OldTimeBiker said, you can carry a spare set in your pocket.

If you do decide to go ahead with the Boyer, PM me, and I'll put you in touch with some info about installation not included with the kit.

Cheers,
Bruce

GulfCoastDave · 01-22-2007, 10:08 AM

I've installed electronic ignition on both my T-140's... Boyer is on the '78 and Pazon is on the '79. Both work flawlessly. Installation is not rocket science... fairly easy.

The difference is not just relevant to maintenance... there is also a substantial performance boost.

I enjoyed my '78 while it had points... it was fun getting it set up "spot on" and it ran fine but when I switched to electronic, the benefit was immediately obvious. The '79 came with Rita (stock Lucas) electronic but I went with Pazon which some say is even better than Boyer (supposedly, it will work at lower voltages). It also works very well.

The main reason some folks shy away from Ei is that it will only work properly with a mostly fully charged battery (some minimum available volttage). That is true. But, in my experience, it is not a 'sudden death' thing. My '78 came with a battery that was not up to snuff, and the Boyer would show early signs of distress... some misfiring at upper revs and more likely to misfire if the lights were on. I never got stranded because of it. I got rid of the bad battery and with good batteries, both bikes run perfectly.

It is also my understanding that there is a way to set up Ei so that the bike will run without a battery or with a bad battery... but I'm not clear on the details.
Best regards,
Dave

GeoffE · 01-22-2007, 10:12 AM

Hi,

I have a BSA Rocket Three triple, and a lot of guys on the Triples Online forum have moved across to using the Tri-Spark ignition. They have converted from standard points, Lucus Rita and also various Boyer systems. All appear to rave about the performance (starting, idling & the advance curve). Tri-Spark now offer an ignition for the 360' twins, and you may like to take a look at this alternative to Boyer?: Tri-Spark Link

Ciao,
Geoff
:wink:

peintremondain · 01-22-2007, 07:24 PM

if you put a boyer or...you'll loose the pleasure of timing your
bike accurately one point after the other!!think of it!!!!
no joke here ,i run points and completely agree with commando.with points you're the master;with a boyer...
ben

McQueen · 01-22-2007, 08:56 PM

A related question for you EI folks...

My buddy installed a boyer on his 65 BSA Lightning. Everything looked good as far as installation. But what seems to be happening is when the RPMs increase, the timing retards?!

Any ideas?