Replacement coils

[Anonymous]

HUGE tip I just found out

Get this everyone,

I just spoke to shop owner who raced gs1000's back in the day here in Canada. He won a ton of races on these bikes at the superbike level, and his advice to me about replacement coils was interesting.

He said that sure a newer coil from a late model GSXR of equal cc's would be better than our current set-up, but would not be the best.

The best would a set of coils from a Honda Shadow, even a pre 90's model. The reason being is that foreign manufacturers have to import everything, thus they (Suzuki) import smaller coils, because they weigh less. Whereas the Honda Shadow and some of the Honda bikes are made in the US, and the coils are made there too. He showed me a set of coils from a late 80's Shadow and they were Huge in comparison to a 90's version from a 1000 Gixxer. The more coil you have, the more power you'll have.

I hope this proves to be true.

[lhanscom]

But do they fit where they need to?

[robben]

I'm thinking with the clues the bike's presenting, I may need to replace at least one of the coils. Poor spark in no. 4, although no. 1 doesn't seem to be bad. Maybe it's just the wires. Anyways, I checked my book for any references as to what coils are needed, and the only thing I could find is that the range of my coils are anywhere from 3-5 ohms approx. on the primary windings. How is one to know what will work? I like this tip in here, as I know the stock coils are formidable prices at the dealer...

Even though the coils may not be the problem, I like the idea of newer coils. These are surely the originals, almost 20 years old. It may explain why when I put in a hotter plug, at the insistence of a dealer, it actually runs worse. (Straining an already weakened coil...) But I won't get into that here. Maybe put something in the technical thread later.

It's just that nobody has mentioned getting a set of Ebay coils for the 550 engine.

Robben

[Billy Ricks]

Robben,
3 ohm coils are what you need and they can measure anywhee between 3-5 ohms. The same coils we've been talking about here will work on your bike.

[robben]

Thanks, Billy. Time ta shop! :twisted:

It's almost comical; One reference in the Haynes book, while discussing the electrical system in the 'general description', states that "it will be seen that the system is very simple in design, and given the inherent reliability of transistor circuits, the arrangement will be found to require little attention in normal use." 8O 8O :?

Robben

[Anonymous]

Got mine all hooked up today.

I got my 95 GSX-R coils hooked up today.

I still have the same problems becouse my carbs need work, but Im really happy to have a new set of coils on.

New 7mm copper core wires.
New plugs.
New NGK caps.

[lehrin]

Re: Got mine all hooked up today.

I got my 95 GSX-R coils hooked up today.

I still have the same problems becouse my carbs need work, but Im really happy to have a new set of coils on.

New 7mm Accel wires.
New plugs.
Rebuilt the caps.

Should I bother replacing the wires on the 99 Bandit coils that I'm waiting to receive? Also, what does rebuilding the caps entail, and more specifically, uh.. what are caps? :?

[Billy Ricks]

As long as the wires are long enough to reach don't bother switching wires. Just cut them to length if they need shortening. The caps are the piece at the end of the plug wire that fits on the plug. The ones that come with the coils should be in good enough condition. If you have to shorten any wires be careful and just cut through the very outer layer of wire insulation. It's only about 1/16" thick. The plug caps thread on and off the wires. A little oil on the rubber seal on the caps makes them slide on and off the wires easier.

[robben]

Went out to the wrecker to find some newer coils. He's got a set of '86 GSXR1100 coils coming in in about 3 weeks. I think I just may pick them up, along with the bike they're attached to. :twisted:

Put in the new plugs later that afternoon, and it's running fine. When I tested the resistance on the testy coil (1&4) it came up with 4.5 ohms on the low end, and 35,000 on the high side. Within specs, after a little cleaning of wires and the contacts. The bike just doesn't like a hotter plug, which only one dealer insisted was the plug for mine - DR8ES (UK plug) I put in the US plugs (D9EA) and it's purring like an angry cat.

Robben

[Anonymous]

Found out something interesting.

I found out something interesting. It seems 'if you can find them' you can get coils for old GS bikes that are dealer recomended replacements that come with wires long enough to fit our bikes.

You'll never guess what they are.

The same exact coils you can get off the GSX-r, Bandit, and katana.

Just one more good reason to take Mr Ricks idea and get some for your bike.

[Anonymous]

The more coil you have, the more power you'll have.

I hate to get technical here, but, transformers either amplify voltage or current, not power. The power remains the same - actually decreases due to losses that are unpreventable.

Ok, maybe that's too technical, but I hope it makes sense.

[Anonymous]

Does anyone know how many volts a stock GS coil produces compared to a late model Bandit coil?
I thought I read a new stock coil was like 10,000 volts (when new), so what about newer coils off a Bandit or Katana?

[Anonymous]

most factory coils are set around 10k-15k. the aftermarket can supply more since thats what they specialise in.

[UncleMike]

I've just purchased my first bike, a 1981 GS 450L. Cost me $170 and all that it has wrong with it is a bad front brake master cylinder, broken ignition lock that works with a screwdriver, and one of the coils drops when hot.

Please forgive my ignorance, as my mechanical knowledge is fledgling (actually one of the reasons I bought the bike, so I can learn,) but what coil should I look for that would be applicable for my bike?

Thanks,
Mike