GT550 ignition upgrade

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jabcb
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GT550 ignition upgrade

Post by jabcb »

Doing electrical upgrades on Redzone/GT550 this year.
Installed the Oregon Motorcycle Parts rectifier & voltage regulator, and did the relay mod — now have 14.2V charging.
Installed LED turn signals & tail light.

Based on yesterday’s ride to the Cafe Racer magazine bike show, I need to do a tuneup.
So I’m considering an ignition system upgrade. Two clean choices:
Accent: http://www.accent-electronic.com/ELZ2Coil.html
Classic Suzuki Parts: http://www.classicsuzukiparts.nl/hotparts/?lang=en

Any thoughts on how they compare?
Didn’t find the current price for the Accent — anyone know what it is?

Also, on the PowerDynamo option…
The GT380 that won best Japanese bike has a PowerDynamo & a capacitor instead of a battery. The owner is quite pleased with the results but did say the lights flicker a bit below 2k rpm.
BAS (Bike Acquisition Syndrome) - too many bikes but have room for more

Suzuki:
GT750 2x75
GT550 72 & 75
GT380 72
T500 69 project & 73 project
T350 69 & 71
Honda 85 CB650SC & 86 CB700SC
09 Triumph Bonneville SE
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jabcb
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Re: GT550 ignition upgrade

Post by jabcb »

Bump... No thoughts on these two ignition systems?
BAS (Bike Acquisition Syndrome) - too many bikes but have room for more

Suzuki:
GT750 2x75
GT550 72 & 75
GT380 72
T500 69 project & 73 project
T350 69 & 71
Honda 85 CB650SC & 86 CB700SC
09 Triumph Bonneville SE
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Alan H
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Re: GT550 ignition upgrade

Post by Alan H »

Personally I still prefer points and that's what's going on the 'Yeti'.
Think of how stupid the average person is, then realise that half of them are more stupid than that.
tricky1962
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Re: GT550 ignition upgrade

Post by tricky1962 »

Can't comment on either of those choices, but I bought the T500 version of this:

http://autocar-electrical.co.uk/product ... /suzuki-mc" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

It did need some fettling to fit and one of the optical bits needed replacing under warranty, but has been reliable since then.

I have a GT550 pieces at the moment and if I decide to keep it, I will upgrade to a Newtronic system for it.

Disclaimer: I have no connection with this company, but if they want to buy me a pint, who am I to refuse?
sportston
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Re: GT550 ignition upgrade

Post by sportston »

I got Accent on my gt380 but can't comment yet about its reliability. All i can say is that it was delivered promptly and Uwe Gottwald seems to be quite professional.
As for the other type I've not used them on triples but I have used similar systems on cars and they are simple, easy to install and problem free. However, they are only a contact free substitute for points and will not allow for any alteration of ignition curve, like some electronic ignitions.
As for Newtronic...I wouldn't bother. I've not been very impressed with their quality, fit and finish in the past. The optics are easily damaged and the electrics are poorly protected from water ingress. Though I have not checked to see if their recent offerings are better than they used to be.
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tz375
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Re: GT550 ignition upgrade

Post by tz375 »

Accent for sure. I put one on the Dunstall and a mate fitted one to his GT550 and so far it seems to work perfectly and avoids all the horrible mistiming issues he had with points.
GTandcbr
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Re: GT550 ignition upgrade

Post by GTandcbr »

I have had a Newtronic system on my 550 J for the last 20 years! Had one optic sensor fail 2 years ago which they repaired free of charge. Fit it. Set it. Forget it!
98 carb Blackbird and GT550j
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jabcb
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Re: GT550 ignition upgrade

Post by jabcb »

I have Newtronic systems on two GT750s and both have been fine.
Autocar acquired Newtronic some years ago and upgraded the products, so the newer version should be better than 20 year old ones.

Haven’t ordered it yet, but I’ve decided to use Accent on the GT550 cafe build.
BAS (Bike Acquisition Syndrome) - too many bikes but have room for more

Suzuki:
GT750 2x75
GT550 72 & 75
GT380 72
T500 69 project & 73 project
T350 69 & 71
Honda 85 CB650SC & 86 CB700SC
09 Triumph Bonneville SE
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Alan H
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Re: GT550 ignition upgrade

Post by Alan H »

I'll be upgrading the GT550J to new points and wiring during the resto. Same as all my other 550s - and 750.
Think of how stupid the average person is, then realise that half of them are more stupid than that.
sportston
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Re: GT550 ignition upgrade

Post by sportston »

jabcb wrote:I have Newtronic systems on two GT750s and both have been fine.
Autocar acquired Newtronic some years ago and upgraded the products, so the newer version should be better than 20 year old ones.
Haven’t ordered it yet, but I’ve decided to use Accent on the GT550 cafe build.
I didn't know that about them being taken over. Maybe their later products are better than they used to be then.
I chose to use Accent as it fits inside the casing without any need for fitting an extra box of electrickery somewhere. Although it is a rarer unit, I was willing to take the risk.
I'm surprised you choose to use points Alan. But I guess they do have an air of originality about them and of all people I should think you know how to set them up correctly, unlike many folk.
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Alan H
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Re: GT550 ignition upgrade

Post by Alan H »

I like points. They work and when set right and allow the engine to rev much higher than then electrickery stuff which 'never lies' :roll: .
Just look at the memory of the speedo/revcounter after a quick blast down from Creg-Ny-Baa at the Isle of Man Classic TT last year (revs at bottom right with time immediately above), although it may have been a bit optimistic unless the gearing is waaaaay out. :shock: :lol:
I have been setting points since 1967 or so, so I reckon I've got the hang of it now!
Image
Think of how stupid the average person is, then realise that half of them are more stupid than that.
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Re: GT550 ignition upgrade

Post by sportston »

18,410 rpm :shock: Blimey what bike are you riding? Surely that isn't a standard 2-stroke! :lol:
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Alan H
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Re: GT550 ignition upgrade

Post by Alan H »

Image

It may have been optimistic a tad!!! :shock:
Think of how stupid the average person is, then realise that half of them are more stupid than that.
sportston
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Re: GT550 ignition upgrade

Post by sportston »

Alan H wrote: It may have been optimistic a tad!!! :shock:
If it isn't, I want the number of your engine tuner! Lol. I'm guessing your electronic rev counter isn't calibrated for a triple?
Nice bike, same style wheels as on mine.
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tz375
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Re: GT550 ignition upgrade

Post by tz375 »

I love the Trailtech Vapor on my bike, but sometimes it does get to be a little ambitious. At the drag strip last year it recorded a speed of 232mph and peak revs of 18,000. I figure it was over reading by just a touch since I only recorded 106 through the traps.

I suspect that it may have been the new plug caps without resistors generating too much EMF or noise or some such thing. Or it may have been the kill box which was acting up.

And just for giggles I have now replaced the DYNA triple system I have used for 5 or more years with a new fully programmable Ignitech with built in shift light and tacho driver, rev limiter, quick shift kill system and so on. Plugging a laptop into the side of a 74 GT750 is some sort of temporal paradox to be sure.
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