1982 GS450 knockoff Dyna ignition.

[GBiggs]

Hey everyone, first post on the forum.

I’ve recently picked up an ‘82 gs450 motor for a Jet Jonboat project.

everything else is buttoned up, however I realized the ignitor unit is AWOL and I had to dive down that rabbit hole.

which brings me to where I am, I picked up one of the Suzuki GS550 Chinese dyna ignition clones. (I know not optimal, but this is for a personal project.)

The 1982 gs450 has mechanical timing, I’ve already removed and reinstalled the unit with the new magnet that comes with the kit.

Here is where the issue lies, the gs550 plate is larger than the gs450 plate, which is about 74mm in diameter, not including the cutout for the oil pressure switch.

Should I remove the old pickup coils from the original plate, measure the gap and reinstall the new pickups in the exact same position as the old pickups (will require drilling out 4 rivets and 4 new mounting holes) Or should I use a lathe to grind down the new plate to 74mm, which also includes drilling new mounting holes in the plate.


Thanks in advance for any suggestions,

Biggs

[GBiggs]

Here’s a photo of the newer ignition plate for those unfamiliar with these dyna clones.

[Nessism]

You are going to have to shave down the new backplate regardless. I'd do that first, then hook it up, and time the system using a light.

[GBiggs]

Sounds good, I can post results when I’m done if anyone is interested.

[GBiggs]

Finally finished up and everything is working out good, I ended up modifying the original plate and installed the new pickups on it.

here’s a slow motion video with the spark pickup on coil/cylinder #2

https://youtube.com/shorts/msVHal53_GM?si=c4oXUP5yUo15nZ6p

[Burque73]

Here’s a photo of the newer ignition plate for those unfamiliar with these dyna clones.

I'm glad you got that ignition working. Curious, was it Aliexpress you got it from?

In October I ordered a set of "Dyna" 3ohm coils from Ali. Seemed like a great deal, but I didn't realize they were knock offs, not real Dynatech coils. It's amazing how they can sell products using the brand name, same product description, and look almost exactly the same. I decided not to use, but return them and fought for three months to get the reefund. Finally, after getting Paypal involved, and paying to ship those coils back to Beijing, I got the refund. What a PITA!

I'll just wind up digging out the weathered and cracked spark plug wires in my stock coils and replace them, along with some NGK caps.

[Grimly]

I'll just wind up digging out the weathered and cracked spark plug wires in my stock coils and replace them, along with some NGK caps.

Just use Honda MT-08 coils.

[Burque73]

Sorry for the thread hijack, GBiggs

Just use Honda MT-08 coils.

I've seen you mention those before and I'm still not sure what you mean. Honda MT-8 is a single cylinder Enduro. I have a GS1100GK. If MT-08 is a part number I haven't found it.

[bwringer]

Finally finished up and everything is working out good, I ended up modifying the original plate and installed the new pickups on it.

here’s a slow motion video with the spark pickup on coil/cylinder #2

https://youtube.com/shorts/msVHal53_GM?si=c4oXUP5yUo15nZ6p

Nice! Glad you figured this out -- it's always been a problem with these bikes. The stock ignition has failed or will fail on most of these, and there's no bolt on aftermarket option.

[Grimly]

Sorry for the thread hijack, GBiggs




I've seen you mention those before and I'm still not sure what you mean. Honda MT-8 is a single cylinder Enduro. I have a GS1100GK. If MT-08 is a part number I haven't found it.

MT08 coils were fitted to CBR1000s, CB750s and various other models including the Goldies.
My favourite source is the 1500 Goldie, that way you get set of three for 25 bucks if you wait your moment.
The MT08 is an electrical match for the GS, BUT has easily replaceable leads, with a screw-on weathertight collar.
I've had a pair of them I got of a front-ended CBR1000 more than 30 years ago and they're still going strong.
My XJ is running a pair, with no trouble, and if the XS goes toes-up I'll fit one to that.
When I put the 79 GS back on the road, it will have a pair, too.

[GBiggs]

Hey Burque no worries, it’s nice to see people engaged in something that when I talk about everyone else looks at me like I have 2 heads.

I bought the ignition off Amazon, here’s the link.

waltyotur Electronic Ignition... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09NBXYFNB...p_mob_ap_share

when it comes to the coils, I’m not sure which ones you could supplement in your situation, give me some time to research and I can figure it out.

here’s the ones I ended up ‘modifying’ to work

labwork Dual Lead Wire Ignition... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HMJ1M5M...p_mob_ap_share

I took dual fire coils and removed one lead, then filled it with silicone. I’m basically using ignition parts from wasted spark designs, but which works in the case of the 2 cylinder.

I’m sure there are some knockoff coils that will be exactly what you need. I don’t often recommend these Chinese coils but it’s almost unavoidable at this point especially when you can buy four or more for the same price.

They don’t fail as often as most would have you believe, most of these “quality” ones you see are still manufactured in China, the parts that seem better just have intense quality control once they reach the states. Japanese coils are an exception.

[Burque73]

MT08 coils were fitted to CBR1000s, CB750s and various other models including the Goldies.
My favourite source is the 1500 Goldie, that way you get set of three for 25 bucks if you wait your moment.
The MT08 is an electrical match for the GS, BUT has easily replaceable leads, with a screw-on weathertight collar.
I've had a pair of them I got of a front-ended CBR1000 more than 30 years ago and they're still going strong.
My XJ is running a pair, with no trouble, and if the XS goes toes-up I'll fit one to that.
When I put the 79 GS back on the road, it will have a pair, too.

Awesome! Thank you, sir.

[Burque73]

Hey Burque no worries, it’s nice to see people engaged in something that when I talk about everyone else looks at me like I have 2 heads.

I bought the ignition off Amazon, here’s the link.

waltyotur Electronic Ignition... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09NBXYFNB...p_mob_ap_share

when it comes to the coils, I’m not sure which ones you could supplement in your situation, give me some time to research and I can figure it out.

here’s the ones I ended up ‘modifying’ to work

labwork Dual Lead Wire Ignition... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07HMJ1M5M...p_mob_ap_share

I took dual fire coils and removed one lead, then filled it with silicone. I’m basically using ignition parts from wasted spark designs, but which works in the case of the 2 cylinder.

I’m sure there are some knockoff coils that will be exactly what you need. I don’t often recommend these Chinese coils but it’s almost unavoidable at this point especially when you can buy four or more for the same price.

They don’t fail as often as most would have you believe, most of these “quality” ones you see are still manufactured in China, the parts that seem better just have intense quality control once they reach the states. Japanese coils are an exception.

I appreciate the links, and you not getting offended by the threadjacking, LOL.

Maybe these would have been ok, I don't know. Just had a bad feeling I'd be a thousand miles from home and one would give out. Not that my GS electrical system has ever done that to me........topic for another thread.

https://www.aliexpress.com/i/3256805589943911.html?gQT=2&gatewayAdapt=4itemAdapt