Modifying Electronic Ignition bike to take Dyna-S

[godmachine81]

I have the 1983 GS550L and as you may have read in my previous threads about this I am in the process of replacing the OEM ignition system with a Dyna S. I have seen where a few others have done this. I need to know a couple things though.

1.) How do I go about fixing the Dyna mounting plate to fit the 2 bolt ignition mounts in the electronic ignition bikes. Can I just extend the holes in the Dyna ignition to make them longer so that they will mount to the 2 holes I have, they are designed for 3 holes...

2.) Does the OEM Bolt for the electronic shaft (replacing the mechanical advance) on these bikes fit if you add a Mechanical advance or will I need a bolt off an older bike as well, or is there anyone who could give me the length / thread size for the bolt so I can just go to a local department store and purchase one.

3.) How should I go about getting my ignition casing cover replaced once I have the Dyna-S installed. I don't want to spend more money on an older model and it probably not even fit, is there any recommendations on how to shim it but waterproof it so that it will fit? What have you other 83 and up model owners done about this situation?

4.) Take a look at these Andrew Coils that is being shipped with my Dyna-S, the guy hadn't put them on his bike, so he don't really know if it will be 5 ohm or 3 ohm coils. I have researched the net for andrews coils but I can't find any coils that are made like these:

And last but not least Thanks for all your help guys!!

 

[doctorgonzo]

Can't answer most of your questions, but I think you can answer the ohms on the coils question with a multimeter, just test the resistance. They look JUST like my dynas except for the color.

 

[Nessism]

'83 550 is a different engine than the early bikes so I'm not sure the advance unit from an early bike will fit. My guess is no. Can't hurt to try mind you. Let us know how it works out.

 

[godmachine81]

Yea they fit the newer models. I have verified that already with some other threads about this matter. One very helpful one was: http://www.thegsresources.com/_forum/showthread.php?t=122723&highlight=dyna+bolt

 

[godmachine81]

Another thing, while it's on my mind. I didn't realize it until I was studying the wiring diagram for the OEM ignition system and the wiring diagram for the Dyna-S system. The factory coils have indicators for the ignition hookups that are both (+) leads. I don't understand how they are both (+) unless it will work backwards compatible. I know that the coils are connected with one common 12v hot wire and that is the same with how the dyna-s wiring. The reason I am confused is because if the Andrew's coils I got don't have these same markings and one is marked with + and the other side marked with - then I can probably figure it out, if I however decide not to use the Andrews coils and use my factory coils, which side of the post connectors is the 12v common on each coil 1-4 & 2-3?? From the Dyna-S I should have 2 red wires that should connect to a 12v ignition wire somewhere, and from there I should splice two wires from that point and run to each coil, the question is-- Which side do I run them to since they are both marked with (+)??? The other two wires coming from the dyna should be black, which connects to coil 2-3 and white which connects to 1-4, right? Are these grounds? I definitely don't want to short my coils or my Dyna-S out at this point. I have more money than I intended to invest in this whole project already. I am asking these questions because the Dyna-S isn't made for the 1983 bike like I have, but I know it will work with some mods. I think the question about the coils though would apply to points based systems as well. Why are both terminals marked with (+). When I check the resistance on the coils what setting should I use? I have the following options 200, 2k, 2000, 200K, 500K. The 83 owners manual says to use 1K setting, but I don't have that setting. Also what is the primary resistance and the secondary resistance? I assume that primary is the points where the two (+) symbols are, and the secondary is the spark plug wire ends, right?? I'm sorry if this is confusing but I want to be sure to do it right, and need to know this stuff to make sure I don't have any defective materials other than my igniter and ignition. Something apparently caused them to go bad, and I want to trace down my problems so that it dont happen with my Dyna-S Thanks everyone and sorry for these long postings

 

[rustybronco]

http://www.andrewsproducts.com/motorcycle/cams/high_performance_ignition_coils.htm
2.8 ohm coils, it looks like.

 

[godmachine81]

http://www.andrewsproducts.com/motorcycle/cams/high_performance_ignition_coils.htm
2.8 ohm coils, it looks like.

Take another look at those coils and the ones in the picture i posted. You will see they are made different. They aren't the exact same coil.

 

[rustybronco]

understand your point.

Your coils look just like the coils on my honda that has andrews products harley coils. mine are are the kind that used with points. they are ink stamped with a month-date 3-82
mine are orange. Yours are orange or red?
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d44/rustybronco/PICT2236.jpg

why don't you just measure the primary resistance.

 

[doctorgonzo]

The poles on the coils don't matter. Either side can be the positive.