Nice bit of soldering Derek. I thought you may have taken the opportunity to upgrade to an electronic ignition system and dispense with the contact breaker points altogether. I fitted a Newtronics system to my Suzuki GT750 and it was probably the best upgrade I have ever done. The main control unit was small enough to be fitted on the battery tray with ample wiring length to run to the electronic actuators where the points used to live. The timing was initially set (static) and then re-set with the engine running using a strobe and three timing marks cast into the cover housing. Just out of interest, I did check the position of these three marks by using a dial gauge fitted to the spark plug holes and the cast marks aligned perfectly with the pistons where at the correct ‘firing’ positions. The bike ran like a dream and started on the button, a very worthwhile upgrade in my opinion.
I have thought about it. I have electronic ignition on my Honda, and so far (touch wood) had no problems with it. I think I will upgrade at some point. Thanks for the advice! 👍
@@derekb2765 I thought the same thing myself. Until then...maybe carry extra point sets and condensers with you? And possibly a small battery powered soldering iron also. And some electrical tape as well. That is a beautiful bike Derek. Glad all is well. Cheers from the States.
As mentioned below Electronic Ignition is the remedy! Back in the 70‘s whilst touring the south coast of England on my 1972 BSA 650 Lightning (which I still have!) with friends both on Suzuki GT550‘s 3cyl 2 strokes, the condensers failed on my A65L. Luckily we were able to get things fixed in a shop nearby, problem having been of doing to many Evel Knieval style jumps coupled with pot-holes. The system got converted to Pirahna (who don’t exist anymore) Electronic Ignition and it still works flawlessly. I will never go back to condensors and points which rest somewhere in the oblivion of my garage. Excellent work Derek and best wishes from Düsseldorf 😉
The common consensus is to switch to electronic ignition. Would be a good subject for a video! 😉 Glad you enjoyed the video. Nice to hear from you in Germany 🇩🇪
Glad it turned out only to be a condenser and not the new piston. It's great that a few fellow bikers stopped to offer help. Hope you manage to make it out to the Hungry Hogs. It's a terrific place. Run by the brilliant character Sue. Food's not bad either 😋
Nice video mate. Glad you did not have to wait too long for pickup. If you had to breakdown that was as good a day as you can have. When I lived in the UK I broke down on a freezing wet night and it took hours for them to pick me up. The joys of riding.
Yeah, we used to carry spares in the old days and some sand paper or emery boards to clean and polish the points. I came to the conclusion that arcing and burnt points accelerated the condenser failure. Keep them clean and polished and she'll run better. But, converting to electronic is the way to go for sure. Great Video keep it up.
I owned an S2 back in the 70’s, and it was constantly eating plugs, condensers and points at what seemed like ridiculously low mileages, particularly when compared with the Honda CB350 it replaced.
GRRRR, sad day, but could have been worse. Condensers? My 1963 CB77 and 1965 YA6 have the originals and were rescued a flooded basement long ago. The 1971 H1 also running the same one that it had in it when found in 1990. New does not mean it's better.
@@derekb2765 Likely Jinx'd myself. But I am not a fan of New aftermarket parts because of quality issues. 30+ years ago I used to swap ignition parts regularly in my air-cooled VWs, also kept most of the used stuff. Back then Bosch was German quality. Not German or quality any more... Now I clean points, caps and rotors and use till they are actually bad. The old parts are brought back into service because even the New ignition wires are garbage. A good DMM will have capacitance check. I would check New parts before install. If the condenser fails continue you could possibly have an engine grounding issue. Now you have spares to put in the bag of roadside essentials.
Yes, now I have a couple of spares. Though it's not a roadside fix, as I don't normally carry a soldering iron around with me! Apparently Allen Millyard connects his with spade connectors, for roadside replacement 😇
I've got Charlie's Place electronic ignition on the CB360, I would advise you to fit an electronic system. My DT3 250 has electronic ignition, and now runs 12v electrics . I waited over 4 hours for recovery, two miles from my house! I went for my car and sat in the car till they came! The front sprocket nut had come off my FZR600R!
Nice, neat solder joint Derek 👍 Glad that's all it was for you and not an internal engine issue. Many years ago I had a lot of problems with a Yamaha 125. I fitted new points and it was fine for a few weeks then the performance went. In those days I knew nothing about condensers so I was changing points on a regular basis. unfortunately having that problem put me off what was otherwise a good bike. Wished I'd known about electronic ignition back in 1976
Thanks for the nice words. I can't imagine that many aftermarket electronic ignition systems were available in 1976. I imagine they would have been rather expensive! 💸💸💸
hi Derek, just come across your channel and enjoying it, Spitfire flight was brilliant and something I would like to do. Re this video, i know you said that you were pleased that three bikers stopped to see if you were ok but I was seriously shocked how many didn't! Maybe I am just old school (riding since 1975) but i know myself and my friends would not just ride past a fellow rider stopped at the side of the road like that without stopping to at least ask if you needed help.
Glad you're enjoying the channel content 👍 It's my first major breakdown ever, so I would have been pleased if only one person had stopped. Maybe I should raise my expectations! 😉
What a lovely looking bike. My husband got a puncture on Sunday it was a tube tyre so not fixable and had to to call the AA, that took three hours, so your 90 mins with RAC was pretty good. Glad you got the bike fixed.
i heard that since big motor manufacturers all use EI the QC for these components has fallen through the floor. Had a £100 + recovery from the motorway years ago due to a failed condenser , I now carry a spare.
Oh I see. Thanks. No point me carrying a spare, unless I also carry a soldering iron! Allen Millyard connects his with spade connectors, so they can be changed at the roadside 👍
I recently waited over 6 hrs for the RAC. (tubed back tyre puncture)................. but met some lovely people whilst waiting! ps that Kawasaki is gorgeous!!
6 hours! Wow! How unlucky. ☹️ I suppose the recovery time maybe somewhat dependant on where the breakdown occurs, . Glad you like the bike. Thanks for watching 👍
Glad it was a condenser instead of an internal engine issue. No telling how long they will last. I would have just replaced the bad one and kept the rest as spares. You made soldering look very easy lol.
As one of them had failed, I lost confidence in the others. I thought it better to replace all, then hopefully I won't get stranded again for at least 900 miles lol 😂
Could have been worse. Could have been waiting when England were playing in the World Cup, as I was a few years ago. My recovery arrived after the match had ended...funny that.
The recovery driver must have been Scottish! 😉 At least if you breakdown these days, there's a chance of being able to watch matches on your mobile phone 📱😊
Oh Dear Derek, such a basic and simple fault. I'm thinking that the electronic system fitted by the pervious owner to my CB750 K6 was a good move. Anyway glad it's not the piston. When are we going to see you at Hoar Park again?
I replaced a genuine Mallory V8 one with a replacement, made in Mexico and it lasted 50 miles . Luckily I had the old one and managed to diagnose on the roadside and got going again .
Unfortunately I don't carry a soldering iron around for roadside repairs. Allen Millyard connects his with spade connectors instead of soldering them in, thus enabling roadside replacement 🤔
Love the bike. Beautiful restoration. Condenser lifespan?. How long is a piece of string?. I've known them to be duff right out of the box,known them to be fine 40 odd years old. Noted some comments mentioning electronic ignition. I fitted a Boyer system on my pre-unit 350 Bullet,starting and tick-over are vastly improved. My GL1000 has a Piranha system,on the bike when I bought it 23 years ago,probably fitted late 70s early 80s,still purring away perfectly. Entertaining video,thanks.
Thanks for the comment. Glad you enjoyed the video 👍 I think I will be fitting electronic ignition at some point. Even without the duff condenser, fiddling with ignition timing is getting to be a bit of a pain 😬
@@derekb2765 August 2022, The funny part is when the bloke finally got to me the bike started on the first go and I was able to ride home. After a bit of pondering I worked out it was the coils which had failed when the bike was hot but worked when it cooled down. So an easy fix.
@@derekb2765 The coils were heated by the engine (as they sit under the tank) as is often the case although the coils were on their way out they worked ok when cool but started to fail when warmed up. First intermittently but after sitting in some traffic the engine got nice and hot, heated the coils and they then failed.
the problem is the condensers you can buy today are not as good as the original japanese ones thats if can find them i had the problem with a z650 about 20years ago and at that you could orginal points and condensers but it was cheaper to buy a boyer branson electronic system than buyimg the points and condensers
I think I will be fitting electronic ignition at some point. Even without the duff condenser, fiddling with ignition timing is getting to be a bit of a pain 😬
All's well that ends well. Sadly condensers are like wives, there's no telling when there going to go bad. Much cheaper to replace though!
Ha ha, glad you said that and not me! 🤣
Nice soldering job Derek. Glad fello bikers stopped to see if you were ok, shame not all stopped to inquire.
I thought it was good that 3 stopped to help. Gave me a warm feeling inside! 😊
Nice bit of soldering Derek. I thought you may have taken the opportunity to upgrade to an electronic ignition system and dispense with the contact breaker points altogether. I fitted a Newtronics system to my Suzuki GT750 and it was probably the best upgrade I have ever done. The main control unit was small enough to be fitted on the battery tray with ample wiring length to run to the electronic actuators where the points used to live. The timing was initially set (static) and then re-set with the engine running using a strobe and three timing marks cast into the cover housing. Just out of interest, I did check the position of these three marks by using a dial gauge fitted to the spark plug holes and the cast marks aligned perfectly with the pistons where at the correct ‘firing’ positions. The bike ran like a dream and started on the button, a very worthwhile upgrade in my opinion.
I have thought about it. I have electronic ignition on my Honda, and so far (touch wood) had no problems with it. I think I will upgrade at some point. Thanks for the advice! 👍
@@derekb2765 I thought the same thing myself. Until then...maybe carry extra point sets and condensers with you? And possibly a small battery powered soldering iron also. And some electrical tape as well. That is a beautiful bike Derek. Glad all is well. Cheers from the States.
As mentioned below Electronic Ignition is the remedy!
Back in the 70‘s whilst touring the south coast of England on my 1972 BSA 650 Lightning (which I still have!) with friends both on Suzuki GT550‘s 3cyl 2 strokes, the condensers failed on my A65L.
Luckily we were able to get things fixed in a shop nearby, problem having been of doing to many Evel Knieval style jumps coupled with pot-holes.
The system got converted to Pirahna (who don’t exist anymore) Electronic Ignition and it still works flawlessly. I will never go back to condensors and points which rest somewhere in the oblivion of my garage.
Excellent work Derek and best wishes from Düsseldorf 😉
The common consensus is to switch to electronic ignition. Would be a good subject for a video! 😉
Glad you enjoyed the video. Nice to hear from you in Germany 🇩🇪
@@derekb2765 it’s hidden from sight therefore won’t spoil any classic lines 😉
Only the classic bike purists will object! Lol 😂
They definitely will, from the side of the road waiting for the breakdown truck 🤣
Ha ha, they'll say that I'm not getting the authentic classic bike experience lol 😂
Glad it turned out only to be a condenser and not the new piston.
It's great that a few fellow bikers stopped to offer help.
Hope you manage to make it out to the Hungry Hogs. It's a terrific place. Run by the brilliant character Sue. Food's not bad either 😋
Yes, it was heartwarming that those riders were willing to help out. 😇
I will make it to the Hungry Hogs cafe someday soon! 😋🍴
Nice video mate. Glad you did not have to wait too long for pickup. If you had to breakdown that was as good a day as you can have. When I lived in the UK I broke down on a freezing wet night and it took hours for them to pick me up. The joys of riding.
Glad you enjoyed the video. 👍 Being a fairweather rider means the chances of breaking down on a freezing wet night are remote! 😉
Superb video. Having owned a BSA A65 L, I suspected points caps too.
Riiding with a faulty one was fun; bang bban .... BANG ...bbbb ... bang - LOL!
Glad you enjoyed the video 😄 Mine was more 'ring...ding...dddd...ding'! 😂
Yeah, we used to carry spares in the old days and some sand paper or emery boards to clean and polish the points. I came to the conclusion that arcing and burnt points accelerated the condenser failure. Keep them clean and polished and she'll run better. But, converting to electronic is the way to go for sure. Great Video keep it up.
Yes, electronic ignition is the way to go. Glad you enjoyed the video 👍
great video, beautiful bike, 2 strokes are just the best !!
Glad you enjoyed the video and like the bike! 👍 Can't argue with you! 😀
I fitted a Boyer Bransden electronic ignition to my KH250, easy to fit and zero issues.
Yes, that is the general consensus. Definitely now on my to-do list! 👍 Cheers.
Great to meet you today at the pot kiln cafe I've subscribed to the channel 🙏🏼 Dilly Dilly Dave
Hey, it was great to meet to you too mate. Really enjoyed the meet. Your bike sounds sweeet!
I owned an S2 back in the 70’s, and it was constantly eating plugs, condensers and points at what seemed like ridiculously low mileages, particularly when compared with the Honda CB350 it replaced.
That's interesting 🤔 So it could be a characteristic of the bike. Another reason to upgrade to electronic ignition. Thanks 👍
Nice video glad you got it sorted and hood to see you did it yourself, excellent! Nothin beats the sound of a triple! 👍
Glad you enjoyed the video 👍 Replacing the components wasn't too hard. I'm just glad it was straightforward to diagnose and fix!
Sweet looking MC. I have the same in orange.
Thank you. Hopefully your condensers are in better condition! 😉
GRRRR, sad day, but could have been worse.
Condensers? My 1963 CB77 and 1965 YA6 have the originals and were rescued a flooded basement long ago. The 1971 H1 also running the same one that it had in it when found in 1990.
New does not mean it's better.
Interesting that yours have lasted so long. A friend of mine used to change his every 1500 miles back in the day, to avoid such an eventuality! 😯
@@derekb2765 Likely Jinx'd myself. But I am not a fan of New aftermarket parts because of quality issues. 30+ years ago I used to swap ignition parts regularly in my air-cooled VWs, also kept most of the used stuff. Back then Bosch was German quality. Not German or quality any more... Now I clean points, caps and rotors and use till they are actually bad. The old parts are brought back into service because even the New ignition wires are garbage.
A good DMM will have capacitance check. I would check New parts before install. If the condenser fails continue you could possibly have an engine grounding issue.
Now you have spares to put in the bag of roadside essentials.
Yes, now I have a couple of spares. Though it's not a roadside fix, as I don't normally carry a soldering iron around with me!
Apparently Allen Millyard connects his with spade connectors, for roadside replacement 😇
I've got Charlie's Place electronic ignition on the CB360, I would advise you to fit an electronic system.
My DT3 250 has electronic ignition, and now runs 12v electrics .
I waited over 4 hours for recovery, two miles from my house! I went for my car and sat in the car till they came!
The front sprocket nut had come off my FZR600R!
Yes, the general consensus is for electronic ignition. ⚡
Sorry to hear about your long wait. I presume you were in a remote location? 🤔
Nice, neat solder joint Derek 👍 Glad that's all it was for you and not an internal engine issue. Many years ago I had a lot of problems with a Yamaha 125. I fitted new points and it was fine for a few weeks then the performance went. In those days I knew nothing about condensers so I was changing points on a regular basis. unfortunately having that problem put me off what was otherwise a good bike. Wished I'd known about electronic ignition back in 1976
Thanks for the nice words. I can't imagine that many aftermarket electronic ignition systems were available in 1976. I imagine they would have been rather expensive! 💸💸💸
hi Derek, just come across your channel and enjoying it, Spitfire flight was brilliant and something I would like to do. Re this video, i know you said that you were pleased that three bikers stopped to see if you were ok but I was seriously shocked how many didn't! Maybe I am just old school (riding since 1975) but i know myself and my friends would not just ride past a fellow rider stopped at the side of the road like that without stopping to at least ask if you needed help.
Glad you're enjoying the channel content 👍 It's my first major breakdown ever, so I would have been pleased if only one person had stopped. Maybe I should raise my expectations! 😉
Incredible how a little condenser can cause all that anguish? But, it’s the small things that matter sometimes? Unlucky. 🏍🏍🏍
Yes. I thought that regular timing checks would be the only inconvenience. I was obviously wrong! 😬
What a lovely looking bike. My husband got a puncture on Sunday it was a tube tyre so not fixable and had to to call the AA, that took three hours, so your 90 mins with RAC was pretty good. Glad you got the bike fixed.
Glad you like the bike. Sorry to hear about your hubby's puncture. I think I was lucky that my breakdown occured in a well served location 🤔
cracking lil bike... but the weekend is too short to be waiting in the gutter for recovery...i would have just limped home with the choke on a bit....
I would have too, if I was nearer. But I had a way to go, and I was already concerned about potentially damaging the engine 🤔
i heard that since big motor manufacturers all use EI the QC for these components has fallen through the floor. Had a £100 + recovery from the motorway years ago due to a failed condenser , I now carry a spare.
What is EI? 🤔
@@derekb2765 Electronic Ignition, or have things progressed so far that has now been superceded !.
Oh I see. Thanks.
No point me carrying a spare, unless I also carry a soldering iron!
Allen Millyard connects his with spade connectors, so they can be changed at the roadside 👍
@@derekb2765 when you're in a jamb you would just snip and twist together to get you on your way.
All the best.
I recently waited over 6 hrs for the RAC. (tubed back tyre puncture)................. but met some lovely people whilst waiting!
ps that Kawasaki is gorgeous!!
6 hours! Wow! How unlucky. ☹️ I suppose the recovery time maybe somewhat dependant on where the breakdown occurs, .
Glad you like the bike. Thanks for watching 👍
Glad it was a condenser instead of an internal engine issue. No telling how long they will last. I would have just replaced the bad one and kept the rest as spares. You made soldering look very easy lol.
As one of them had failed, I lost confidence in the others. I thought it better to replace all, then hopefully I won't get stranded again for at least 900 miles lol 😂
Could have been worse. Could have been waiting when England were playing in the World Cup, as I was a few years ago. My recovery arrived after the match had ended...funny that.
The recovery driver must have been Scottish! 😉
At least if you breakdown these days, there's a chance of being able to watch matches on your mobile phone 📱😊
My condenser on my 79 Gl1000 is still working fine.
That's OEM for you! 😉
Oh Dear Derek, such a basic and simple fault. I'm thinking that the electronic system fitted by the pervious owner to my CB750 K6 was a good move. Anyway glad it's not the piston. When are we going to see you at Hoar Park again?
Ha ha, don't worry, as Arnie likes to say, 'I'll be back!' 😉
I replaced a genuine Mallory V8 one with a replacement, made in Mexico and it lasted 50 miles . Luckily I had the old one and managed to diagnose on the roadside and got going again .
Unfortunately I don't carry a soldering iron around for roadside repairs. Allen Millyard connects his with spade connectors instead of soldering them in, thus enabling roadside replacement 🤔
Good editing!
First time my editing has been complimented 😄 Thank you for watching!
Love the bike.
Beautiful restoration.
Condenser lifespan?.
How long is a piece of string?.
I've known them to be duff right out of the box,known them to be fine 40 odd years old.
Noted some comments mentioning electronic ignition.
I fitted a Boyer system on my pre-unit 350 Bullet,starting and tick-over are vastly improved.
My GL1000 has a Piranha system,on the bike when I bought it 23 years ago,probably fitted late 70s early 80s,still purring away perfectly.
Entertaining video,thanks.
Thanks for the comment. Glad you enjoyed the video 👍 I think I will be fitting electronic ignition at some point. Even without the duff condenser, fiddling with ignition timing is getting to be a bit of a pain 😬
RAC..Took four hours to recover my Bonnie.....didn't renew.
Sorry to hear about your long wait. ☹️ Who are you with now? 🤔
If I decided to another Kawasaki triple I would be installing
The Boyer Bransden Micro MarkIII
I'll look into that system. Cheers for the tip 👍
The only time I called out the RAC due to bike breakdown I called them at around 8 am and they got to me at around 2 pm 😐
Oh bloody hell! Sorry to hear that. 😬
How long ago did that happen? 🤔
@@derekb2765 August 2022, The funny part is when the bloke finally got to me the bike started on the first go and I was able to ride home. After a bit of pondering I worked out it was the coils which had failed when the bike was hot but worked when it cooled down. So an easy fix.
Oh god, that must have been a bit embarrassing! 🫣
What caused the coils to overheat on that occasion? 🤔
@@derekb2765 The coils were heated by the engine (as they sit under the tank) as is often the case although the coils were on their way out they worked ok when cool but started to fail when warmed up. First intermittently but after sitting in some traffic the engine got nice and hot, heated the coils and they then failed.
They were on the way out. Ok, makes sense. Good to know. Thanks 👍
I thought condensers went out with feeler gauge's and battery acid top up's.
Hey, feeler gauges are still hip! 😉
the problem is the condensers you can buy today are not as good as the original japanese ones thats if can find them i had the problem with a z650 about 20years ago and at that you could orginal points and condensers but it was cheaper to buy a boyer branson electronic system than buyimg the points and condensers
I think I will be fitting electronic ignition at some point. Even without the duff condenser, fiddling with ignition timing is getting to be a bit of a pain 😬
Nice Hat
Thank you. I need it on sunny days as I'm folically challenged! 😉
Nice bike! Shame it has a duff piston?
Ha ha, actually it has one good piston and two rattly ones! 😉
I wonder how many other people have heard the recovery drivers sad story?
Ha ha, all the people he's recovered carry a portion of his emotional baggage! 😉
Tbf he was a nice bloke 👍
love the bike but POINTS ! and high performing 2 stroke multis dont mix been there and blew it up ! listen to everyone get electronics .
Yes, definitely will be looking into getting electronic ignition. Cheers! 👍
Sounds nice now Derek.😊
Cheers mate. Thanks for watching 👍