ECI For 81 Special

[Dan Hodges]

Re: Ignition Unit I.D.

Originally posted by Dan Hodges
Randy you are the man. I always did say you east coast guys were a sharp group no matter what George W. says. I can't thank you enough for your help. I'm gonna take that rascal apart as soon as I hang up. I'll let you know what I find. Thanks. Dan

Randy, I just finished checking the thing and cannot locate 16 pins in any kind of configeration, length wise, side ways or any other way. When you remove the cover, you see the circuit board with numerous pins like all analog electronics I've seen before.The board is shiny black and the circuit is colored a pale green with pins scattered everywhere, but no parrallel row of pins at least not that I can find. Oh well, it's not the end of the world, the one on the bike works fine I'll just have to continue my search for a spare. Again, thanks for your help. Dan

[Dan Hodges]

E.C.I. For The Other Guy

Originally posted by John
Dan, I see you found a box locally. I'm glad you didn't have to pay the outragous price that you were quoted by that 'other' guy. Channelview is just down the road, but it sure is a good ways down that road. Have you installed it yet? How does it run? Watch those leaky carb gaskets. Maybe the 81 is the one to sell, so you won't have so many problems down the road, with a bike that has so many unique, hard to find parts. Your 80SG is beautiful, (8,500 original miles) and the 78 runs like a scalded ass ape. That's all you need.

If you don't me asking, who was that 'other guy', I think I know who he is. Dan H.

[Dan Hodges]

Re: TCI

Originally posted by btdtdan
This may need to be posted with the what to look for in a used bike. Especially for an 81 special If it has been messed with by someone trying to make it run. CHECK the ECI box to make sure it has the correct unit installed ie The 4RO unit. The 2H7 will let it run but poorly.
Thanks to John for your knowledge,sharp mind and willinginess to help . Also to TC for your most generous offer and finally to Sam who lives down the road, for having Uncle Sam make a late night delivery of the 4RO.
Now all I need to do is make up my feeble mind which one of these bikes to sell. Three is more than enough for anyone.
Thanks again to all that offered help and opinions.
Dan

Did you take the covers off the unit and look at the pc board? Was there any noticeable difference in the arrangement of the pins on the board? I bought one and it has no I.D. sticker on it and I don't know which model it is for. Randy from New York said the 4R0 should have 16 pins running parrallel down the middle of the board.I took the cover off and saw lots of pins, but could not locate 16 in a row. I have a sneaking suspicion the one I bought is a 2H7. Any ideas? Dan H.

[Dan Hodges]

Originally posted by randy
Yes, Dan, there is a way to know. Open the cover (six small screws) and take a look at the pc board. The 81 and up box has an integrated circuit in the center of the board. You'll be looking at the solder side of the board, so it looks like two parrallel rows of pins right down the middle of the board lengthwise. IIRC, it is 16 pins.

The earlier models don't have this. The 81 and up has electronic advance, which is what that IC is for.

I don't have photos available, or I'd send them.

HTH

Randy

I just finished reading your latest article on the differences between the 4RO box and the 2H7.In that article you have the two boxes side by side,the 4RO is left and the 2H7 is right.Looking at the foil side,you state,"note the two horizontal rows of pins in the center- right of the 4RO board.This is the 16 pin advance ic." The green board is marked with a black arrow toward what appears to be two rows of pins. Initially,you said the 4RO had the two rows of pins,but after looking at your pictures it looks like it's the 2H7 that has those distinct rows of pins.Is this correct,or do I need to quit smoking that weed? Your article and photographs are very good.Too bad I didn't have them earlier before I went out bought every box in the state of Missouri.Thanks for your help.

[Dan Hodges]

Originally posted by Dan Hodges
I just finished reading your latest article on the differences between the 4RO box and the 2H7.In that article you have the two boxes side by side,the 4RO is left and the 2H7 is right.Looking at the foil side,you state,"note the two horizontal rows of pins in the center- right of the 4RO board.This is the 16 pin advance ic." The green board is marked with a black arrow toward what appears to be two rows of pins. Initially,you said the 4RO had the two rows of pins,but after looking at your pictures it looks like it's the 2H7 that has those distinct rows of pins.Is this correct,or do I need to quit smoking that weed? Your article and photographs are very good.Too bad I didn't have them earlier before I went out bought every box in the state of Missouri.

One more time,I down loaded the picture,enlarged it to the size of my computer screen and the pins in the 4RO are perfectly clear.I can rest peacefully now.Thanks for your patience.

[randy]

Glad I was able to help, Dan.

Recently found a "type 2" 2H7 TCI that uses the small transistors and can cause confusion when trying to compare the 4RO and 2H7.

I posted it on my site Randy's XS11 page

HTH

Randy