Can I use a Pulse Generator from a GL1500 in my '85 GL1200A?

[MCVinnie]

Hello, gentlemen I hope I'm posting this in the right section, new Wing rider here. I just aquired my first Goldwing, it's a 1985 GL1200A. I'm really excited to get some saddle time on it, sadly, It won't start, the Pulse Generator's are cooked.

I have been told that the upgrade for this part is from the GL1500 and that no modifications are needed for the A/I models. I have searched the net for about 2 days and have been unable to verify this. Before I order the part, I would like to know for certain.

I am hoping that this forum could help me. I have read some posts where this swap has been tried or was going to be tried bit I couldn't figure out if it was actually a solution or not. Any information on this job is appreciated.

Thanks for your help!

Vince

 

[joedrum]

hmmm i cant comment here and you have to be careful info .. but look this over

https://www.goldwingfacts.com/forums/2-g ... spark.html

 

[MCVinnie]

joedrum » Tue Jun 17, 2014 11:52 am[/url]":3f60nkb6]
hmmm i cant comment here and you have to be careful info .. but look this over

https://www.goldwingfacts.com/forums/2-g ... spark.html

Well, there's a lot of talk about retro fitting the 1500 coils but nothing about fitting the PG's, only that they appear to be more robust with no posted failures. With all the 1200's out there, it seems this upgrade would have been tried and documented.

 

[Joep]

Welcome from North TEXAS DFW area.... I also have an 85.. so have interest in following... not sure if they will fit/work.. haven't seen either to compare housing/mounting (first question on swappable issue.. ) theory is possible to do it otherwise.. connectors between the two bikes same? .. or is missing gonna be needed? ..

 

[ekvh]

I'm fairly sure Westgl started an investigation into it. I can't recall if he figured it out. I think it worked with slight mods. I'll search. Here: https://forum.classicgoldwings.com/viewt ... f=9&t=6675

 

[brianinpa]

Welcome to Classics! Isn't the 84 and the 85 ignition the same? There is the other option... get rid of the pulse generators all together.

 

[Steve83]

The '84 is in the rear cover, like the 1100 but the advance is electronically controlled. '85 and later uses pulsers driven off the front of the crankshaft.

 

[backlander]

Welcome to CGW Vince. Probably won't find much on the subject, very rarely hear of them going out. I'd check them out before ordering more. Should have 1200 ohms resistance+/-100 ohms and the air gap should be 0.40 to 0.90 on them. Procedure is in the manual on the 1200's in the gallery.

 

[MCVinnie]

brianinpa » Tue Jun 17, 2014 5:19 pm[/url]":4q45pen2]
Welcome to Classics! Isn't the 84 and the 85 ignition the same? There is the other option... get rid of the pulse generators all together.

Until I'm sure the rest of the bike is in good condition, and that I want to keep it, I don't think sinking $500 into an aftermarket ignition system is the wisest idea. Besides, if the 1500 PG's are as bullet proof as it sounds it seems like that would be a great option.

 

[MCVinnie]

backlander » Tue Jun 17, 2014 7:32 pm[/url]":12vieabv]
Welcome to CGW Vince. Probably won't find much on the subject, very rarely hear of them going out. I'd check them out before ordering more. Should have 1200 ohms resistance+/-100 ohms and the air gap should be 0.40 to 0.90 on them. Procedure is in the manual on the 1200's in the gallery.

Really? I wouldn't have guessed that. One quick search returned a bunch of threads on bad PG's. Usually seems to be right around 50k mi. I posteed the symptoms on Goldwingfacts.com and got like 10 replies, all stating the PG's and nothing else. Seemed like there was no ambiguity on that.

 

[mcgovern61]

Welcome to the site from New Jersey! :clapping:

 

[Ansimp]

Welcome from Oz

 

[backlander]

All I suggested was that you test them before you spent money you might not have to spend. I've been dealing with 1200's for four years, no pg problems, got two 1200's with over 120,000 miles on them, so that came from my experience. Peace, I'm out of this conversation.. Best wishes to ya.

 

[joedrum]

sicum mike sicum ...gee bud we are trying to help.... i always go to mike on 1200s ..to get strait anewers and instead of internet gossip ....you have to be carful about taking in BS info

 

[dan filipi]

joedrum » Wed Jun 18, 2014 11:14 am[/url]":2glaued6]
sicum mike sicum ...gee bud we are trying to help.... i always go to mike on 1200s ..to get strait anewers and instead of internet gossip ....you have to be carful about taking in BS info

Oh boy isn't that the truth!
Some of the forums have guys that agree just to agree and post something without knowing jack about these bikes.

Mike is our 'go to' for all things 1200.
He knows his stuff.

 

[Ansimp]

Vince if you can check some of Mikes topics and you will see someone that definitely only gives proven advice. I relied on his evaluation of Shinko 230 tires for the Rats Nest from the other side of the world and his advice was spot on. I am running a Metzler LaserTech on the rear atm ( wore out the Shinko with 6000 miles of hard riding in the States) and it is not holding up as well as the Shinko 230 ( almost worn out in 3000 miles since fitted in Feb) . I have found a local supplier and will be once again be on Shinko 230s. :thanks: again Mike!

 

[MCVinnie]

backlander » Wed Jun 18, 2014 11:09 am[/url]":vqh04pwz]
All I suggested was that you test them before you spent money you might not have to spend. I've been dealing with 1200's for four years, no pg problems, got two 1200's with over 120,000 miles on them, so that came from my experience. Peace, I'm out of this conversation.. Best wishes to ya.

Mike, If your still reading this, I wasn't trying to be argumentative, or to dismiss your advise. I was answering your question with the only info, I knew and that it seemed to me that the PG's were a weak link in the 1200 system. I have been through the bike as thoroughly as I know and then passed off to my buddy who was lead tech and service manager at one of the top motorcycle dealerships here in Clearwater, FL. His diagnosis was the same as mine but I will ask him if he tested the PG's specifically.

If my answer rubbed you the wrong way, it wasn't my intent.

 

[MCVinnie]

Thank you to everyone for your warm welcome's, I appreciate it. As, to my reply to Mike, after re-reading it, I assure you, it wasn't meant the way it sounded. I'm a first time Goldwing owner, or any japanese motorcycle for that matter. I don't know which systems on the bike are dependable and which systems are inherently weak.

I know what I've been told about the 1200 PG's and I also agree that you have to sift through all the crap. My problem right now is I don't know who's crap is a bunch of turds and who's crap is gold. I'm just trying to figure it all out!

Anyway, thanks for having a great forum, I hope we can look past this!

Vince

 

[Ansimp]

:good:

 

[joedrum]

oh certainly your very welcome here ..many have fallen prey to bad info ..me included ...not saying this is .. but bs info and blab not back up is our number one concern ... theres no riff here at all ... this is a member first forum