Ignition Pickup Wires Replaceable?

[Rockitdoc]

The insulation on the wires coming off my ignition pickups are pretty cracked up.  Can these be replaced or does one buy the whole pickup assembly?

I was going to just cut the old Molex connector off and replace it, but then I thought the rest of the insulation could be just as toasted as the stuff at the Molex and rethought  the plan.   

 

[sfcpiet]

Those pick ups have become unobtanium... no NOS left on the planet, lots of used, albeit in similar condition, around (Reds' scrap bin will be full of them!).

Apart from the wiring, they are vitually indestructable, so it may well be worth rescuing them with new wiring and paired with a half-decent aftermarket ignition system.

Alternatively, you can flog them off to the Ducati bevel freaks, they're prepared to pay more than silly money for them!!  Buy a new ignition system and go on a 2-week holiday from the proceeds! :

piet

 

[redax5]

Reds' scrap bin will be full of them!.

have a couple of dozen used systems in stock but you are better off installing a Sachse or DMC unit, just the difference in engine performance makes either system preferable over the old Bosch set up
best money you can spend on a Laverda engine

 

[Terry Dymond]

'best money you can spend on a Laverda engine'
Concur!

 

[Dellortoman]

The main problem with replacing the wires is that you can't get into the pickup itself to remove the old wires and connect new ones, so you have to leave a tail of old wire hanging out to attach the new wire to. Your wiring doesn't look too bad at the pickup end though - I've seen them a lot worse. So it I were you I'd just fix up the mangled bit at the connector block and put the pickup assembly back into service.

I'll also endorse Red and Terry's comment. If you don't already have one, get an aftermarket ignition. Sachse, DMC and Ignitech are all good products.

Cam

 

[Terry Dymond]

To elaborate a bit on the benefit of the after-market ignition systems: The original won't give you a spark if your battery voltage is a bit low, I think th limit is 11.5 volt, which is quite common when cranking the engine.
The DMC will give you a spark down to 5 volts (I think, don't know about the other systems).

If cranking is your problem when you're up there in the stars, the DMC ignition system will get you from here to Mars. (with apologies to Donovan)

 

[Rockitdoc]

The main problem with replacing the wires is that you can't get into the pickup itself to remove the old wires and connect new ones, so you have to leave a tail of old wire hanging out to attach the new wire to. Your wiring doesn't look too bad at the pickup end though - I've seen them a lot worse. So it I were you I'd just fix up the mangled bit at the connector block and put the pickup assembly back into service.

I'll also endorse Red and Terry's comment. If you don't already have one, get an aftermarket ignition. Sachse, DMC and Ignitech are all good products.

Cam

I spliced some new wires into the pickups and will install a new connector after I get the orange sheath replaced.  My ignition is an early Witt.

The wires at the connector were actually much worse than the earlier pic showed.  Insulation really cracked badly:

I've decided to replace the whole loom in case there are other wires like this lurking I am ignorant of.

 

[Laverdalothar]

Piet,

the bike has a silver DMC1, so one of the first 50 or so ever made DMC's. Should be fine, once the pickups are fixed. I have a blue one in my Jota since over 20 years, faultlessly.