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Carb Sync Tool and Electronic Ignition
Carb Sync Tool and Electronic Ignition
I'm not sure I want to risk turning my expensive new electronic ignition into a blue smoke generator, so I'm hoping someone else here has tried it.
Also, is there is a way to cross post this the the other appropriate forum, or do I just need to start a new thread there.
Thanks,
Scott.
Stoney Peak BMW Service
Victoria, BC. Canada
BMW Classic and Vintage Motorcycle Service and Restoration
service@stoneypeak.com
- schrader7032
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Re: Carb Sync Tool and Electronic Ignition
As for shorting, there should be no issues with the shorting method even for electronic ignition. It's important, however, to avoid open circuits as you're aware. So, make sure you have good fitting rod extensions. Then when doing the short, make the movement crisp. I would take your long screwdriver and firmly put the blade in a good spot on the engine so that you can easily rotate your hand down to contact the shorting rod. Rotate your hand away to remove the short, again keeping the blade firmly on the engine. By moving quickly you preclude allowing the spark to jump a long distance...quick movements would keep that to a bare minimum.
'78 R100/7 '69 R69S '52 R25/2
Fast. Neat. Average. Friendly. Good. Good.
Re: Carb Sync Tool and Electronic Ignition
However, I installed vacuum ports on my Dell Orto pipes from day 1 to facilitate the sync. Adjusting air/gas mix can be done with both cylinders running. It is - at least for me - much simpler and efficient that adjusting 1 cylinder at a time.
If you really matter about gas/air mix at both idle and with throttle opened, a Colortune spark plug is also a better way to do it IMO.
1974 R90S
Re: Carb Sync Tool and Electronic Ignition
Sorry for the late reply. I neglected to check the "Notify me when a reply is posted".
Thanks again,
Scott.
Stoney Peak BMW Service
Victoria, BC. Canada
BMW Classic and Vintage Motorcycle Service and Restoration
service@stoneypeak.com
- srankin
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Re: Carb Sync Tool and Electronic Ignition
I have never heard of a problem with Boyer replacement ignitions.
I would be very cautious fiddling around with the 1981 year introduced system and any of its now available upgrade variants for pre 81 bikes. The black module is known for being fried if spark plugs are not grounded properly.
As for coils, they are tough, not much bothers them. the chances of frying a coil are slim to none unless you really try to fry one.
Overall, the electronic systems in my view are far better to have on a bike than points. St.
- schrader7032
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Re: Carb Sync Tool and Electronic Ignition
https://bmwmotorcycletech.info/ignitiontheory.htm
I always thought it was the coil that was the most sensitive...if the plug isn't grounded, then the electrical energy is bounced back up the spark plug wire. What's the first thing it sees...the coils. The ignition system is just the switch telling the coils when the system is open or closed so the fields can collapse.ALL Airhead Ignition Systems can be damaged if the spark plug wires are removed from the spark plug with the engine running ...or the engine is being cranked or other wise operated ....if the spark plug wires/caps are not grounded properly. DO NOT have the ignition key turned on if the spark plugs are not grounded and caps attached.
So, per him it's any ignition system. The key though is to have the plug or whatever shunt you are using be properly grounded. That's all a plug is anyway...the spark jumps the gap and goes through the body of the plug into the head. So, if you are sufficiently careful, grounding plugs should not be a problem. If you're not sure, find some other way.
'78 R100/7 '69 R69S '52 R25/2
Fast. Neat. Average. Friendly. Good. Good.
- srankin
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Re: Carb Sync Tool and Electronic Ignition
A coil is just that a coil of wire wound up tight into a container. Yes, there is a chance that wound strand of wire can be burned if mistreated but, my years of playing around with coils from all sorts of vehicles to shock the heck out of friends, squirrels and such has shown me they are as I have said pretty robust.
On the other hand, the magic black module of which I have never had apart, has in it's bowels, electronic bits. In my years of messing with radios, TV's and other stuff with these electronic bits, I have found them to be in some cases very fragile.
I have tested electronic parts to destruction both intentionally and unintentionally.
ALL ignition systems can be damaged by some kind of misuse, carelessness, age, corrosion. My point is don't meddle with the Black module unless you are sure things are grounded. There is a far greater chance of something going wrong with the electronic system on an airhead than with the points system. St.
Re: Carb Sync Tool and Electronic Ignition
At any rate, I have decided not to test this on my new, expensive, electronic ignition.
Thanks,
Scott.
Stoney Peak BMW Service
Victoria, BC. Canada
BMW Classic and Vintage Motorcycle Service and Restoration
service@stoneypeak.com
- srankin
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Re: Carb Sync Tool and Electronic Ignition
Have coils been damaged by misuse? Oh sure like I said, any system can suffer damage. It is less likely for a simple wound coil to be damaged versus the delicate module.
Oh well, to be honest, either way, you will be walking. As has been said, don't test the theory on expensive ignition systems
MAKE SURE the sparking plugs are GROUNDED before turning over with the ignition on. Bad things can happen and are more likely to happen with an electronic system than with the old points. St.
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Re: Carb Sync Tool and Electronic Ignition
https://bmwmotorcycletech.info/synchcarbs.htm
In his estimation it is the most accurate as it takes into account actual running conditions and doesn't rely on any specialized equipment. About one third of the way down that page, he makes a comparison from the old /2 engines where it was written that often times the plug cap was removed to "short" an engine. This could only be done because those engines have an alternate path to ground for the spark energy...it is through what's called the "safety gap"...it's a 10 or 11mm gap in ground points that are under the magneto coil.
So, he says that the post 1969 bikes are different. That if you create an ungrounded ignition system you can "ruin or damage coils & electronics". So he says both coils and electronics. I don't know the voltages that are pushed to the spark plugs when the coil fields collapse...is it like 40000 volts??. Can you imagine what happens when that voltage reverberates from the ungrounded plugs backwards? The coil has very tiny wires packed together...seems like such a powerful energy as that could arc across the wires, especially on an older coil, and reduce the effectiveness of the coil. If the long wind of wire is severed into smaller runs of wire, then the coil just won't produce the energy anymore.
That reverse energy first encounters the secondary winding which it can then influence the primary windings. Remember that the "brain" or electronics box is only a fancy trigger that controls the 12v that is being fed into the primary windings of the coil. It just seems to me that for this 40000 volts (or whatever) to make it back to the electronics box it has to do some damage to other things before it gets there. Can happen I suppose...Snowbum says and "electronics"...he's not real specific.
IMO I just don't see any real problems. It's like someone tells you to don't stick your fingers in the fan blades...maybe some of us would do it anyway, but basically we figure out to not do it. If you're using the shorting method, just pay attention to what your doing and I'm sure things will work out OK.
'78 R100/7 '69 R69S '52 R25/2
Fast. Neat. Average. Friendly. Good. Good.