Best EI ignition for MKIII with electric start

I've been reading all the threads on EI ignition systems and am totally confused.

I have an original Boyer system that works just fine but the bike does not have the starter in it (PO removed it at some point).

I want to put the electric starter back on the bike so am concerned about the old Boyer and backfire issue destroying the sprag.

Which is the best EI for electric start? Would like one that helps with idle as well if I can have both. Also is it best to change the coils? Some of the kits come with new dual coil, is this a good choice.

I also plan to upgrade the charging system so if that comes into play please advise.

Price is not as big of a concern as getting the right system.

Pazon ? .

Matt Spencer said:

Pazon ? .

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I got Pazon Sure fire on 2 x Mk.111 Commandos and am impressed, the first one replaced an ancient Boyer analogue @ 5 years ago , and the second one @ 3 years old. Both bikes start up fine and original coils are used. The batteries are Motobatt MBTX 14AU gel type, which are a snug fit.
I didn't go for a Tri-spark for reasons mentioned in another thread, ie too much going on in the timing cover, and maybe prone to heat/vibration damage.
The 7 and half year guarantee on Pazon is pretty good aswell !
sam

Tri Spark good for me, no problems, except from my "Passion Fingers" now all perfect.
Peter

My mark 2a bike has the very first boyer with screw terminals on pick up plate its over thirty years old an so are coils it is the kill switch feed operates a relay so its feed straight from an 20ah gell battery an with the Alton Ekit starter it works fine an kicks up fine to. I know its not same as mark 3 set up but if your wiring an charging system (I have a cheap £20 solid state regulator rectifier ) it works fine. If its doing its job ok now then try it for while before changing it. I had changing failure (broken a wire)n used ES a about four times an rode 50 or so miles on the battery alone with no problem. A big battery is the best insurance an add to trouble free starting.

toppy said:

My mark 2a bike has the very first boyer with screw terminals on pick up plate its over thirty years old an so are coils it is the kill switch feed operates a relay so its feed straight from an 20ah gell battery an with the Alton Ekit starter it works fine an kicks up fine to. I know its not same as mark 3 set up but if your wiring an charging system (I have a cheap £20 solid state regulator rectifier ) it works fine. If its doing its job ok now then try it for while before changing it. I had changing failure (broken a wire)n used ES a about four times an rode 50 or so miles on the battery alone with no problem. A big battery is the best insurance an add to trouble free starting.

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The problem is the chance of low voltage on MKIII with old Boyer can damage the sprag and other parts in the starting system due to loss of timing control and kick back. Agree that with good battery and charging system this shouldn't happen but in normal use may not have control over a failure that could cause damage. That's the only reason I am looking at upgrading because the Boyer works fine otherwise.

4 post starter, heavy leads and big battery works fine with boyer on mine so far
While the button comes in handy sometimes (like stalling it traffic) I prefer kicking it to life and will save the starter for when the leg joints fail

I'm running a Pazon Altair unit on my MKIII. Along with the Pazon, I have the replacement starter from DynoDave - and that starter draws an even larger current out of the battery than the OEM starter (but that engine sure do spin).

No problems with backfire.

lbridges said:

I'm running a Pazon Altair unit on my MKIII. Along with the Pazon, I have the replacement starter from DynoDave - and that starter draws an even larger current out of the battery than the OEM starter (but that engine sure do spin).

No problems with backfire.

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This is the direction I am leaning right now, since the Pazon Altair has the idle correction curve...also looking at Dyno Dave's starter since mine is missing and a 3 phase alternator. Thanks.

Dennis, I agree with the big battery suggestion. My starter has the four brush conversion and whirls the engine over quite rapidly. If the engine is cold and the battery is not at the top of it's game (stock 14 AH, maybe bike has been sitting for a couple of weeks) the engine will crank away but not start due to voltage drop(early Boyer) Often it will start at the exact instant that the starter switch is released. The momentum from using the starter keeps the engine rolling for maybe one revolution after releasing the switch, and now the voltage is back up enough to fire the Boyer.

Same setup with the bike warm , battery probably up a half volt or so, starts almost instantly with the estart.
Might be worthwhile changing to Pazon or one of the other types of EI with lower voltage threshold.
I think I will try a bigger battery first.

Glen

That's another reason to go with the Pazon. Low voltage issue on the Boyer is the only reason I am planning on changing it. Once all the starter parts are sorted and adjusted I don't want the chance for damage due to the Boyer.