Modern wiring for A65

[Nick H]

I'm doing a full rebuild on my 1970, A65. I'm about to put the engine back together and then onto the wiring. Now, I know that some will totally disapprove, but it's my intention to use an M. unit, similar to, but not necessarily exactly the same as, this unit (please note that I'm not advertising this unit in any way, but simply using it as an example):

Motogadget mo.Unit Blue - Bluetooth Digital Control Unit - Moore Speed Racing (that's the link, there's a picture at the end).

I like the idea of this box as it can connect, via Bluetooth, to a smart phone and warn if someone is trying to steal it! just a little extra security.

I'm also intent on using a lot of other non-standard and non-BSA parts as well, such as a modern left hand light switch (similar to the one on my Kawasaki), controlling the horn, indicators, and dip switch (not sure yet where I'm gonna put the on-off switch and warning lights); alternate, smaller, bullets and multi-connectors; modern control box and rectifier; some lights may be LED (and it goes without saying that I will be fitting indicators, probably LED); and I wish to use a micro sized coil with double outputs, also similar to modern bikes. The bike will be negative earth so I can use other more modern electrical parts and I will probably use a Pazon electronic ignition unit (unless someone gives me a very good reason against Pazon). I will be fitting a Safe Brake System box and a Safe Turn System box (I'm always forgetting to turn off the indicators) for additional safety whilst riding.

I'm fitting an inline oil filter, on the return side, with a take-off for the rocker box oil feed, in the place normally occupied by one of the coils and the new, single coil will be fitted on the other side. (Reason for the take off after the filter is to prevent over pressurising the rockers, as the original take off, which will be blocked, is under the engine and before the filter; the result would force drastically too much oil into the rockers!)

I'm pretty sure of how to go about most of it, the only thing that concerns me is the micro, twin output coil; has anyone else used one with electronic ignition? I'm aware that most of the electronic ignition systems I've come across use the wasted spark system, as do most Japanese four cylinders, which often have only two coils, so I can't really see a problem, but it would help to be reassured by someone who knows.

Any advice will be very helpful. Many thanks in advance.



Nick H

[Nick H]

Sorry. Forgot to post the image.

[DAVE BRADY]

Hi Nick,

Many of us have fitted oil filters on the return pipe with no issues.  I have this on two A65s with the rocker feed from the standard place under the engine and no problems with over oiling the rockers.  It is important to have the right filter as if it offers resistance to the returning oil you will have problems with the rocker feed and the scavenging of oil from the sump will be affected with a possibility too much oil in the crank case and a reduced return to the tank.  I am not sure that the filter will fit behind the side cover in place of a coil - try it and let us know.
Twin lead coils are fine as is the Pazon electronic ignition - the coil will have to match the Pazon specs.
The rectifier/regulator to replace the standard rectifier and the Zener diode is very common and a good upgrade.
I have non-BSA multi switch and use the standard head light switch to switch the lights on and have two LED warning lights in the headlight shell as well.
I can see the benefit of Safe Brake and Safe Turn system but personally I am not sure about the M unit although the alarm element looks beneficial.
Keep the Forum up to date with your progress.

Dave.

[Spaceman]

Although I tend to restore classic bikes to factory spec, I'm not against modernising the electrics on the bikes and am very familiar with the electrical systems used on both older bikes and more modern bikes equipped with ECU controlled fuel injection.

The big problem with classic bikes is the rather crude fusing arrangement - namely, one 35A fuse for everything. However, you only need 3-4 fuses at most on a bike like this from a practical point of view. My concern would be that if you were really going for separate fused circuits for all the bike's electrical components using this Bluetooth control unit, it will provide no real protection advantage and you will simply end up greatly increasing the number of wires required in the wiring harness.

In terms of ignition coils, the modern micro-coils are designed to work with bespoke ignition modules, whereas, the ignition modules designed for classic bikes (Pazon etc) are designed to work with the original ignition coils which have a higher primary resistance. Pazon do make dual ignition coils with the right resistance which are considerably smaller than the OEM Lucas coils but you have to be careful with heat dissipation given that they dissipate up to 50W!

[EDDIE SIMPSON]

i use a suzuki gs750 ignition switch and handlebar light switch unit on my bsa which is easy to wire up and i now use indicators. more reliable contacts i believe but no surprise as newer than original setup. also went neg earth and 3 phase for better selection of modern regulators. sensible upgrades that are not intrusive but reliable and better lights. i m not convinced any modern ignition system for our bikes can beat a lucas rita and lucas coil setup though.