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  • Testing pick up triggers

    I have had two failures of the pick up triggers over the years and set the 'failed' triggers asside. Now, I would liek to test them to confirm whether it is indeed the trigger that failed or just the wires going to it. Wires is an easy test, but what is the testing for the triggers themselves? Ohms across the two wires? Or to ground? And where is a source for that soft wires to use to wire them up fresh?

  • #2
    More than likely bad wires....

    Check the pickups themselves for 720 ohms (+/- 20%) between the two wires coming out of them; should be infinity to ground. As far as replacement wire, test leads off a cheap VOM or a set of replacement leads is probably the easiest to find and the best 'commonly' available. Install any splices someplace where the wire won't see any flexing when the mounting plate moves.
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    • #3
      Excellent!

      thats exactly what I was looking for. Thanks a bunch!

      Comment


      • #4
        Update

        I tested the triggers.
        All six test at 490 to 500 ohms.
        Seems odd that all six are 'low'.
        Worth noting that this is a professional grade Fluke multimeter, so I trust that reading.
        Wires test bad on several of them. So I'll see about finding a source for new wire, but am now curous about the low ohm reading on these six triggers.

        Comment


        • #5
          Could just be the bad wires. It would be worth just cutting the wire off about 1" from the coils and test from there. If they test good put new wire on and you have a good set of spare pickups.
          Nathan
          KD9ARL

          μολὼν λαβέ

          1978 XS1100E
          K&N Filter
          #45 pilot Jet, #137.5 Main Jet
          OEM Exhaust
          ATK Fork Brace
          LED Dash lights
          Ammeter, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and Volt Meters

          Green Monster Coils
          SS Brake Lines
          Vision 550 Auto Tensioner

          In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.

          Theodore Roosevelt

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          • #6
            As is though they do test bad, so ya got nothing to lose.
            Nathan
            KD9ARL

            μολὼν λαβέ

            1978 XS1100E
            K&N Filter
            #45 pilot Jet, #137.5 Main Jet
            OEM Exhaust
            ATK Fork Brace
            LED Dash lights
            Ammeter, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and Volt Meters

            Green Monster Coils
            SS Brake Lines
            Vision 550 Auto Tensioner

            In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.

            Theodore Roosevelt

            Comment


            • #7
              statistics

              It sure seems odd that all six triggers would test within 10 ohms of each other and all be 'bad'. Certainly not statisticly impossible, but unlikely.
              I have the wires cut from the triggers at about 3/4 inch from the triggers so as to not be testing the wires, only the triggers.
              I have a set of triggers off of an earlier model, that look different than these sixm curious if maybe the 720 ohm reading is intended for those and the later model triggers have a different reading.
              I'll go out tonight and test the triggers that are presently on the engine, since they are good and everything is running well. Now I'm curious what they test at.

              Comment


              • #8
                All year xs used the same pickup coils if I understand correctly. So if yours are different they are not xs coils.
                Nathan
                KD9ARL

                μολὼν λαβέ

                1978 XS1100E
                K&N Filter
                #45 pilot Jet, #137.5 Main Jet
                OEM Exhaust
                ATK Fork Brace
                LED Dash lights
                Ammeter, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and Volt Meters

                Green Monster Coils
                SS Brake Lines
                Vision 550 Auto Tensioner

                In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.

                Theodore Roosevelt

                Comment


                • #9
                  Im a little confused.

                  HTML Code:
                  All six test at 490 to 500 ohms.
                  All six what?
                  79SF
                  XJ11
                  78E

                  Comment


                  • #10
                    The soup gets muddier!

                    Fascinating! I'll try to snap a photo of the other set of triggers then. They did indeed come off of an XS11, though the coils they are matched to do indeed look differnt than the ones off of the all the other XS11 parts bikes that I have here. They came off of a '78. When I opened up the '78 I had expected to find points, but instead found these electronic pick up triggers. Aftermarket? Heck, I'll also see what they test at.
                    (Frying up potatos, so I can't hed to the garage for a bit)

                    Comment


                    • #11
                      Never mind. must be two prior pair plus. Still not likely all are bad
                      79SF
                      XJ11
                      78E

                      Comment


                      • #12
                        I guess I was assuming things, but sfer made me wonder. Did the 6 oddballs all come from the same bike?

                        There should only be 2 coils on a bike.
                        Nathan
                        KD9ARL

                        μολὼν λαβέ

                        1978 XS1100E
                        K&N Filter
                        #45 pilot Jet, #137.5 Main Jet
                        OEM Exhaust
                        ATK Fork Brace
                        LED Dash lights
                        Ammeter, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and Volt Meters

                        Green Monster Coils
                        SS Brake Lines
                        Vision 550 Auto Tensioner

                        In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.

                        Theodore Roosevelt

                        Comment


                        • #13
                          Originally posted by SFerinTEXAS View Post
                          Still not likely all are bad
                          Agreed that its not likely that all 6 would be bad. I am guessing they are not oem xs pickups though.
                          Nathan
                          KD9ARL

                          μολὼν λαβέ

                          1978 XS1100E
                          K&N Filter
                          #45 pilot Jet, #137.5 Main Jet
                          OEM Exhaust
                          ATK Fork Brace
                          LED Dash lights
                          Ammeter, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and Volt Meters

                          Green Monster Coils
                          SS Brake Lines
                          Vision 550 Auto Tensioner

                          In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.

                          Theodore Roosevelt

                          Comment


                          • #14
                            no, not all from one bike

                            no, obviously not all 6 come from one bike. I have 3 parts bikes. Plus the one that I ride. And I nab other spare parts whenever they are available. Personal salvage yard behind the garage. LOTS of spare parts to test and play with.
                            These 'bad' triggers have been piling up over many years. Not like its a recent surge of failing pick up triggers.

                            Comment


                            • #15
                              This is very odd. Can't wait to see the pics of the coils.
                              Nathan
                              KD9ARL

                              μολὼν λαβέ

                              1978 XS1100E
                              K&N Filter
                              #45 pilot Jet, #137.5 Main Jet
                              OEM Exhaust
                              ATK Fork Brace
                              LED Dash lights
                              Ammeter, Oil Pressure, Oil Temp, and Volt Meters

                              Green Monster Coils
                              SS Brake Lines
                              Vision 550 Auto Tensioner

                              In any moment of decision the best thing you can do is the right thing, the next best thing is the wrong thing, and the worst thing you can do is nothing.

                              Theodore Roosevelt

                              Comment

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