Worn Points?

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OldRider2
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Worn Points?

#1

Post by OldRider2 »

My ’77 Project bike is running pretty good, starts right up, a little cold blooded until it warms up, then seems to run fine. On speeds say running about 50 or so and going up a good sized hill you really can’t maintain the speed unless you down shift. I thought it would have a little more power. The carbs are synced nicely, checked again after it had a few miles on it. I had a GL1100 and what I remember about it it had more power.

I got to thinking that I don’t remember doing anything to adjust the points and the fact it starts right up I figured they were ok. I’m hesitant to mess with them but…...... I put a lot of points in cars in the late 60s and early 70s but I don’t ever remember any wearing like these. It’s as if there were a harder surface around the outside of the points and the opposite point seemed to wear down into the point it contacts. Is that wear common with the GLs? Other than the outside edge they seem to be worn evernly, just slightly blackened. Here are some pics of the points.
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2001 GL1800 Illusion Red
low-side
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Re: Worn Points?

#2

Post by low-side »

Definitely needs a set of points. That type of wear is from arcing. Hard to tell without knowing the maintenance history, but that may be due to bad condensers. I'd replace both points and condensers to be safe, and then keep an eye on it.
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ericheath
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Re: Worn Points?

#3

Post by ericheath »

A pretty good read here: viewtopic.php?f=54&t=51780&p=555055#p555055


For the price of quality points nowadays, it doesn’t take many to pay for electronic Dyna etc.
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OldRider2
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Re: Worn Points?

#4

Post by OldRider2 »

Thanks Lowside and Eric, I'll order points & condenser looking for OEM if possible. Reading the article from Mike Nixon it sounds like it might be challenging doing the setting, adjusting, and timing it.

Low-side, you mentioned replacing the "condensers". I thought there was only one and it was on the side of the battery case. When I looked at the points I figured they should be replaced but thought I'd better ask.
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low-side
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Re: Worn Points?

#5

Post by low-side »

Each point set uses a capacitor to minimize arcing. On GL1000s these are packaged together. Eric is right - by the time you buy quality points and condensers you will probably spend $50 or more and I've heard of Dyna S kits selling new for $140. The Dyna kits are easier to install than points are; you won't need to set the gap or play with really small screws and insulators if you go with the Dyna kit.
OldRider2
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Re: Worn Points?

#6

Post by OldRider2 »

Thanks Low-side, understand Dyna S is a better long time deal but I don't plan on running my bike for a long time. It sounded like from the article that the original Honda system was an adequate system, it just has to be maintained correctly. Reading the article it sounded like the dynamic timing is quite important as well.
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robin1731
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Re: Worn Points?

#7

Post by robin1731 »

Like the others have said, the problem looks like it started with the condensors. Many people will replace the points but not condensors. That could have happened before you got the bike. New points and condensors and you'll probably be good to go.

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1985 Honda Elite
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OldRider2
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Re: Worn Points?

#8

Post by OldRider2 »

Interesting price. I just found the complete point plate that Whiskerfish talks about. Certainly very pricey.

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Honda-New-GL10 ... 1196136863
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tlbranth
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Re: Worn Points?

#9

Post by tlbranth »

I don't trust after market electronic ignitions. The simpler the better as far as I'm concerned. I use points with a Hondaman electronic ignition however. This box simply takes the load off the points so they don't wear. Once the phenolic burnishes you never have to mess with your points again. Timing will stay spot on. If there's ever a problem on the road and you suspect Hondaman's box, you can bypass it in minutes and get back to standard ignition. I have his unit on my '75 GL1000 and my '70 CB750. You can read about it here:
http://astore.amazon.com/sohc4owners05-20 although at this writing the website is unavailable on account of maintenance.
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gltriker
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Re: Worn Points?

#10

Post by gltriker »

A condenser won't function correctly until it has an extremely low resistance ground connection where it's body is mounted onto the battery frame.
At one time, Randakk had a technical tip about that component in the ignition system, and offered a dedicated ground wire assembly.
It's no longer available from Randakk, but you can easily manufacture one yourself tumb2 .
Last edited by gltriker on Sat Jul 07, 2018 11:17 am, edited 2 times in total.
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OldRider2
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Re: Worn Points?

#11

Post by OldRider2 »

Good point Cliff, that should be an easy fix. I'll probably be challenged to set the points and time it though! :shock: I wish I had picked up a timing glass in all of my scrounging.
2001 GL1800 Illusion Red
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