Pickup coils

[SiP]

I haven't pulled them apart yet - with the intention of re-doing the wiring, and was wondering how the wire is attached to the actual coil ie:Can I change the whole wire or do I have to solder it to a little bit left sticking out of the coil.
Also is there a way to test the coils when they're off?

[79XS11F]

Bonded in at the factory so you will have to connect to a piece that is left on the actual pickup coil. The break or weakness is almost always where the wires flex when the timing advances.
Rob

[planedick]

Testing...

You can apply 6 volts DC to one wire of the pick up and with a meter attached to the other lead and the ground side of the 6 volts DC supply, passing a bit of metal like a screwdriver to the pick up face will change the reading on the meter. Should go from 6 volts to 0 volts....

[skippy344]

I fixed mine but..

After having done that, and then buying a new setup, I'd have to say that its much better to buy a new set.

The money you think you are saving by fixing the old busted a$$ ones is not worth the piece of mind knowing that the pickups are new and reliable.

IMHO

greg

[jeffe]

Word of advice about new pick up coils. I installed new ones on my 78E because every time I fixed one bad spot I seemed to cause another. About 2 months after I installed the new coils the bike quit on a ride. I was lucky enough to get a free trailer ride home. After serveral hours of clever diaganostic work with a friend we could not find the problem. I mentioned that the only new thing on the bike were the new pick up coils. We pulled the cover off and saw that the connection between one of the regular wires and one the "bendy" wires had come apart. A quick fix later back on the road. Have put 20K miles since with no problems.

[skids]

So you are saying that the new pick-up coil wires have a connection to a stiffer, wire?

Originally posted by jeffe
...and saw that the connection between one of the regular wires and one the "bendy" wires had come apart. A quick fix later back on the road. Have put 20K miles since with no problems.

[randy]

skids,

The 'bendy' wires are crimped onto 'regular' wire inside the harness, about 12" away from the pickups. I think this is the connection that failed in jeffe's description.

Also, one of the reasons the 'bendy' wires fail is that the wires are bunched up too tightly in the clamps at the timing plate. They need room to flex. When making the repair or installing new pickups, be sure to leave enough slack so the movement of the plate doesn't stress the wires or you'll be making the repair again.

[jeffe]

Randy is correct. That was where mine failed. I did leave a little more slack after the repair. No more problems.