ignition coils

[redbone]

will the ignition coils from an xs 650 work on an xs 1100?? ya know...like them new ones sold at mikexs.com. has anyone tried them yet?? any input appreciated.
thanx redbone

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Redbone, take a longer look around the site!

Amazing what you can find in the TECH TIPS, by scrolling down from the MAIN FORUM PAGE, not just using the links in the left yellow column! Several new tips there that are NOT linked from the column!
Mods:Electrical:Mikes XS coil upgrade!

http://www.xs11.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12452

T.C.

[jkorn]

Any found a coil that you don't have to modify a bunch to work?

Jeff

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Jeff,

Several folks have commented that they have put them on their earlier model XS's with very LITTLE modding required to mount them. Mine is the later model, and perhaps the coils are slightly differently shaped/length and that's why my mounting holes/bolts didn't work as easily on them!?!? But these are pretty much plug and play really! Just need to remove/bypass the ballast resistor when put on the early models, simple process to do, and this will ensure that the full 12 volts get to them to provide their full spark power ALL the time, not just when starting the bike!
T.C.

[jkorn]

OK, so after much research it seems that my 78 has a 1.5 ohm coil but if I by pass the resistor I can use 3 ohm coils. Since the coil and the resistor add up t 3 ohms. Is that your assumption.

Much thanks

Jeff

[dbeardslee]

Jkorn:

I've got a '79F with Mikes XS coils. They fit perfectly.

You need to put spade connectors on the electric lines after you cut them off the old coils.

You have to assemble them with the plug wires, and when you do this I strongly suggest you put a little WD40 on the end of the wire before you try to slide the seal onto the it.

I tried it dry and it was hard to get on and almost impossible to tighten properly. With WD40 it all fits together real easy, and you can tighten the plastic nuts all the way down with your fingers and the wire won't be trying to unscrew the cap.

Bypass the resister.

Also, you'll need to widen the gap on your plugs to about .035

All in all, it's a real easy upgrade.

[jkorn]

Guys,

Thanks for all of the great advise.

One last question.

The stock spark plug caps are 5 ohm. Do we need to continue with them or not and why.

Thanks

[dbeardslee]

Jkorn:

Mine has 5 ohm caps on it. Don't know why, but they work. I looked on Mikes XS and noticed that they have several different coils. The ones I installed were the high output, Mikes XS part #17-6803.

[TopCatGr58]

Hey Jeff,

IF you plan on using any electronic devices, like MP3 player, specifically one with RADIO, or bike intercom/radio, etc., then you may want to use the resistor to cut down on the RF static, but if you ride nekid....sans electronic gizmos, then you don't need to use the resistor caps....I didn't .....I put the NO resistor ones from Mikes on mine! Might drive the cager next to you a little buggy when you pull up beside them in traffic!
T.C.

[Lamric]

I replaced the coils on my XS1100 SG with Honda VF1000 coils, they work fine, more details here ==> UK Forum - Coils Mod

[Da-Bubble]

MikesXS Coils

Ok everybody says "bypass the resistor" but do I just clip the red and white wires and tie them together? I noticed according to the wiring diagram the resistor goes to the TCI box as well on my 79SF.

Also the old coils don't show +/- so do the red/white wires go on the positive of the new coils with the gray and orange going on the negative?

One more thing....I bought plug wires at the auto store that I was planning to modify to fit. Do I HAVE to use the end caps from mikes whether 5ohm or not? Won't auto plugs work?

[TopCatGr58]

Hey there Bubble,

Sorry, thought I included that info in the tech tip! The red white wire is the (+) and the Orange/Grey ones are the (-)!

The ballast resistor wires are just clipped together! Yes, the TCI routes the power thru that circuit once the engine is fully running. The new coils need full 12 volts, not the 9 that they would get IF you left the resistor inline, so that's why you remove it and connect the wires together to complete the circuit!

Depending on the plug caps you get, they may or may NOT allow the smaller screw end spark plug connector......I can't remember the proper name for this type, vs. the large tip simple pressure plug fitting? SO, depending on which type of spark plug connection you want to use will determine whether your auto plug cap will work for you! The resistor value hopefully is in the 5K range. But also not sure/can't remember how it fits onto the plug wire end, hopefully it has the central screw connector so that it will properly engage in the solid core strands in the plug wire!?
T.C.

[Da-Bubble]

TC you rock!

The plug wires are 8mm solid core and already have the ends on them, that's why I got em...$15 for all 4 wires and they are RED so they'll match the bike!

Now the biggest problem...my wife is 8 months pregnant and hounding me to assemble the mess of parts in our nursery that is supposed to be a crib. Does she not understand that it is 75 degrees outside and everyone with a bike is SUPPOSED to be riding? How do I deal with this...oh, wise one.

Scott

[Lamric]

Da-Bubble: when you unplug the Ballast Resistor you'll see that on the two wires left on the bike one has a male connector, the other is female. Just plug them into each other. No need to clip and tie.