Unreliable ignition - which 6v coil?

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Coolhands

Coolhands

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Hey guys. Sorting out the 72 with Boyer and what looks to be original Lucas coils. Harness looks to be in good shape but I have a bunch of new connectors on the way because some are a mess.

Going to replace the coils and HT leads. Any recommendations on Emgo vs lucas? I’d like to keep the twin 6vs.

Happy Easter!
 
I bought the OEM-looking 6v coils from Old Brits more than 15 years ago and they have worked perfectly with the OEM ignition and with the Trispark. I seem to recall that they were German-made per OB's listing but I could be misremembering.

To me those twin coils/proper reflectors are a major part of the Commando "look" (along with the ham can air filter.)
 
MexicoMike said:
I bought the OEM-looking 6v coils from Old Brits more than 15 years ago and they have worked perfectly with the OEM ignition and with the Trispark. I seem to recall that they were German-made per OB's listing but I could be misremembering.

To me those twin coils/proper reflectors are a major part of the Commando "look" (along with the ham can air filter.)
Click to expand...
Speaking of reflectors, mine are the limiting factor in how far forward I can slide the coils in their brackets. This means the HT boot is very close to the lower rocker box nut, esp on right side. Wish I could get an 1/8" or more clearance there, if just to make for easier access to the rocker box nut. Might make up an extension bracket to place under the reflector, shifting it forward a reasonable amount.
 
The original Lucas coils are actually quite good and generally last forever. The current Lucas coils are good too. The Tri-Spark coils are oil filled like the original Lucas coils have a little heavier wire and more windings so they can produce a little higher voltage which allows a little larger spark plug gap. I don't know about any of the Lucas-type, or "Lucas" from several years ago.

I would not change working coils. If I needed coils I would use Tri-Spark, brand new Lucas, or used original Lucas.
 
Tornado said:
Speaking of reflectors, mine are the limiting factor in how far forward I can slide the coils in their brackets. This means the HT boot is very close to the lower rocker box nut, esp on right side. Wish I could get an 1/8" or more clearance there, if just to make for easier access to the rocker box nut. Might make up an extension bracket to place under the reflector, shifting it forward a reasonable amount.
Click to expand...
That's what I do. I shift them a little forward and a little down. Still looks nearly normal but helps with the coils and getting the tank off and on. If you buy new HT leads from AN and don't do this, the HT leads actually touch the rocker cover nuts since they are thicker than the originals. Alternatively, you can put spacers between the coil mount and brackets and tilt the business end of the coil up some to get around the problem but that is a messy fix IMHO.

Unreliable ignition - which 6v coil?
 
kommando said:
You want PVL 6 Volt coils.

Lots of sellers

www.classic-bike-shop.com

Genuine PVL ignition coil, 6v

Genuine PVL ignition coil 6v Made in Germany No VAT to
www.classic-bike-shop.com
Click to expand...
The ones shown here are genuine
Don't make the mistake I made
I bought "pvl type" and one of them only just lasted a year
They were made in Taiwan and nothing like the quality of genuine pvls
A lot of us me included often rubbish Lucas parts but only one of my original Lucas coils had gone down after 45+ years of service
 
One of mine is leaking so it’s gotta go! Had the tank off so many times I’m not taking it off again until I’ve got the parts to sort it out.

Thanks for all the quick replies!
 
On my Seeley 850, I have a Boyer with a Japanese double-ended 12 volt coil from a CB750 Honda. It is very reliable. With two 6 volt coils in series, you have many more connectors which can come loose.
I bought the coil from a motorcycle wrecker for almost nothing.
 
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