CDI swapping ASAP!!

[Anonymous]

I'm really in a rush to know if I can swap any other cdi boxes into my 83 gs550e? I have a guy that has an 82 or 83 he's not sure. Also I know a guy who has a bunch of 750e and 750es parts (same year).
Here's what has happened, I bought the bike with only two cylinders running. The initial diagnosis was an ignition coil. After doing all systems testing the signal gen was fine and on the igniter test the sparks were really weak and of of one coil the sparks were orange not white. We're still thinking coil. Before buying a coil(s) we threw some quick start into the engine to force it to start(he he fire, FIRE!). I read some of your stories first on losing eyebrows. Now we can't get any spark from any of the plugs. We re-checked the signal gen still good. Igniter test shows that no spark is being sent from the unit.

Should I be looking at a new unit or might it just be a wiring issue?
If you can shed any light on this it would be infinitley appreciated. I'm felling really bombarded with my light mechanical abilities and knowledge.

Thanks
Myles

[redliner1973]

This May sound stupid, But make sure your Battery has a MINIMUM of 12.5 volts during your testing, the GS is VERY sensitive about having the right voltage. if your battery is even slightly down, your tests will not show good. clean all teh grounds, then recheck your fire.. :twisted:

[focus frenzy]

Tim is correct, these bikes are very sensitive to voltage, before I got my charging system working to full capacity, if my bike sat for more than a week, it would turn over ok but would not fire.
all I had to do was just hook jumper cables to my lawn tractor and bump the starter button and it would light off instantly.

[Anonymous]

Thanks for possibly saving me some cash. I was hesitant to shell out the money if I don't actually need the part. I picked up a battery charger and will give it a shot tomorrow. I'll let everyone know how it goes.

I don't know why I had such reservations about spending 200-250 on the CDI box, but I only spent 275 on the whole damn bike, and all the plastic is there(except the headlight and fairing, has an 1100 light on it now)

[Anonymous]

Hey komdo - something to consider:

I also bought a GS550 with a faulty CDI, paid $300 for the bike. I attempted a switch with a couple of other bikes, but none worked so I opted for the much cheaper fix of a used set of points and condensers for about $100. If I had my time back, I would have installed a Dyna S ignition system. Either way, if you need any information on the CDI swapping, let me know.

Craig

[Anonymous]

ignitor box

Hi man,
also picked up a cheap '83 gs 550e with blown ignitor but haven't got my meat hooks on one yet,how did you get on?