[cowboysculptor]

Anybody out there convert their bullet classic from the old points system to the electronic ignition?  I'm seriously considering this, and I'd like to know first of all how easy installation is, and second how easy it is to get the timing just right at installation.

And I suppose third, are there any other issues I should know about when it comes to converting to electronic ignition?

Peter

[Bankerdanny]

I put the basic conversion on mine last Fall.

The instructions are not very well written (something of a theme for Enfield parts), but the installation was not particularly difficult and took me a couple of hours.

The most complicated part is the timing (do a search here, there are several threads that address this subject). I just tried to pay close attention to the location of the points before I removed the plate, so that when I installed the electronic sensor it was in the same basic location as the points were.

I have been very pleased with the results.

[jonapplegate]

I have also been considering this mod and I am sure I will eventually do it. The only thing that troubles me is losing the ammeter reading when I would be kick starting.
   Points are not necessarily inaccurate, you just have to adjust them. If you do not mind that get a higher power coil and you might be able to live with points, as long as you adjust, and replace them in a good order.

[echo15]

I put the Power Arc electronic ignition on my Bullet and couldn't be happier. The bike is totally reliable with this and runs happy.

[cyrusb]

Coverting to electronic ignition is Pointless, imho

[Anon]

Coverting to electronic ignition is Pointless, imho

Ah yes... pointless!
I believe that should be followed by a couple of quick drum hits:

Ba dum bump!!

Eamon

[meilaushi]

Not to mention tittering laughter!

[cochi]

Meilaushi, I bought my Bullet in 2003 and the first modification I made was to install the Boyer Brandson electronic ignition. I now have 10,000 miles on the clock and I have not had to readjust the timing. It has been very dependable. However, the battery and charging system  must be up to snuff. The Boyer system  I have, does not like low voltage.  If the battery voltage drops below 10 my  unit won't work. I found this out when my voltage regulator decided not to regulate any more. I've also replace my Lucas coil with the Bosch higher voltage blue coil. Bike runs and idles beautifully. Installation was pretty straight forward. I feel the upgrade was worth it. cochi

[Bankerdanny]

there is a way to restore the ammeter/TDC function.

I don't remember what it is. But there was a description posted by someone 6-7 months ago. I tried to find it, but had no luck.

Maybe somebody else remembers.

[Bankerdanny]

Gotta correct myself. The post I am remembering had to do with the run switch, which doesn't work if you install the electronic ignition as described.

Kevin posted a response to Lotussevenman's topic on the budget electronic ignition.

[meilaushi]

Meilaushi, I bought my Bullet in 2003 and the first modification I made was to install the Boyer Brandson electronic ignition. I now have 10,000 miles on the clock and I have not had to readjust the timing. It has been very dependable. However, the battery and charging system  must be up to snuff. The Boyer system  I have, does not like low voltage.  If the battery voltage drops below 10 my  unit won't work. I found this out when my voltage regulator decided not to regulate any more. I've also replace my Lucas coil with the Bosch higher voltage blue coil. Bike runs and idles beautifully. Installation was pretty straight forward. I feel the upgrade was worth it. cochi

I wasn't poking fun at the upgrade, but getting a kick out of the preceding comment that the electronic ignition was essentially pointless.  What a delightful play on words that deserves a nice chuckle!  I think the upgrade is no doubt a good one.

[Bankerdanny]

Here's a caveat, which I have seen elsewhere, the electronic ignition is very sensitive to battery condition.

I made the mistake of not pulling my battery until deep into winter.

I put it on the charger this spring and it takes a charge, but within a few hours the voltage has dropped from 13-14 to 10..

I got out for a test ride finally yesterday afternoon. The ride lasted for about an hour and by the end the battery was dead as a door nail, sdespite the fact that the charging system showed about 13.5 volts at the battery when running.

Due to the battery condition, by the end of the ride I was experiencing severe pre-ignition. I made it back home, but only barely.

So, if you are going to go electronic, make sure your charging system is fully up to snuff.

[cochi]

Meilaushi, I just realized that Cowboysculptor started the thread on the electronic ignition. I thought it was you. Sorry!  By the way, it was a great play on words!!!! cochi

[longstrokeclassic]

HI , fitting a Boyers Electronic  system (and removing the points) on my 500 classic was one of many mods that I carried out over the years.

I think if i was only allowed one modification that would probably have been what I'd have settled on; reliable tickover and easy starting.

I strobed it when I first fitted the unit and checked it some 4 yrs later and the timing still came up showing the same amount of advance as when first installed and set. 

 What wasn't common knowledge ( well to me anyway ) back in the nineties that appears to be now, is the problem with ignition advance that these units suffer with if your battery ends up carrying a low charge.

[meilaushi]

I saw somewhere else on a different thread on the forum that the Boyers, when the battery gets low, advances the ignition, which is probably what happened with the pre-ignition.  I would not suggest putting a Boyers on.  That kind of thing when (probably not if) it happens doesn't do nice things for the innerds of the engine (not to mention the temperament of the rider). 

[Bankerdanny]

I just have the basic electronic conversion, not the Boyer, and it reacted the same way to the low battery voltage, pinged like mad and barely enough power to do 25-30 mph.

I replaced my battery yesterday with the sealed unit from CMW (a word of warning, the sealed battery is the same size as the regular, but the terminals are reversed and I had to move my ground wires and make some other mods to get it to fit).

I then did a 1 hour test ride including some highway time and it ran terrific.