Electronic Points in my Knucklehead?

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  • billpedalino
    Senior Member
    • Mar 2005
    • 1096
    #1

    Electronic Points in my Knucklehead?

    For years I've been looking at the 'QuicStart 2000' ad from 'Beyond 2000' in the club's magazine for years now and have often considered using one in my '47 and/or '53. I'm told that the newer paper condensers (which I have) don't hold up as well as the old oil-filled ones which supposedly break down. However, I find little to no pitting on my points when I check the gap every year which means that there is minimal arcing. So, I haven't replaced my new style condenser for many years - it seems to work just fine. But not having to check the points or lube the point cam would be nice, and I would think that even a clean, well-aligned point set offers some resistance or loss compared to an electronic disconnect.
    Has anyone used this product and if so, how does it work?
    Thanks,
    Bill Pedalino
    Bill Pedalino
    Huntington, New York
    AMCA 6755
    Tags: None
    • Architect
      Senior Member
      • Dec 2014
      • 280
      #2
      I have it in my 1946 WL for approximately 10 years, zero issues. But you need to talk to Ed and get a coil that is Ohm matched to his unit or you will be chasing issues. Ed has the information and a member here sells the coil that works with the 2000. Once I moved over to that coil I have never thought about it again.

        Comment

        • PRG
          Senior Member
          • Nov 2006
          • 612
          #3
          Howdy sir,

          A Quick start 2000, 2 brush conversion and an 6V electronic regulator changed everything about riding my 41Fl 13 years ago. I’d never go back to points and cutouts, u can view that conversion at my gallery below. All of that set the stage for complete LED conversion using the latest generation, vastly superior to the first.
          1941 HD FL - petergz
          https://petergz.smugmug.com/Motorcycles/Harley-Davidson/My-41FL/i-JnMhT2d
          Standard points setup on a vintage HD for those not familiiar. These are the hardest points to field dress on the roadside as the points assembly must literally be disassembled to install, the arm wrapping tightly around the pivot post and the spring by far your biggest challenge to get right. Repro points/condensors are unacceptable so the more experienced source NOS. My concern with this setup is the inefficiency that results in the coil running hot. Like the superb unit made by Clyde Crouch for Indians, there is a hall based unit made by Ed Fralick called a QuickStart200 which you can review and order here. The next several pix will be my install to be done in conjunction with an electronic regulator conversion with a different route taken for even more concealed installation. But first, a brief description of how points and this unit functions. Points transfer primary voltage (6 or 12 depending on your machine) to the coil so that it can generate the high voltage (now low amp) in the secondary winding that results in a spark at your plugs as it tries to find an expedient path to ground when the coil discharges. Just as that spark is generated across a gap intentionally in in the secondary circuit of the coil, your points as they come close to closing have a tendency to have a spark jump the gap, unintentionally on the primary side. A spark jumping this gap will not only erode the points even more quickly than they deteriorate in normal use, it also results in erratic running as your engine will labor under a false advance as well as irregular spark generation resulting in back fires. Your condensor dampens this tendency to spark but is the best compromise our engineering forfathers could devise. Enter electronics. Ed's unit replaces the points and condensor with a Hall type unit acting as a proximity sensor to electronically switch the primary voltage to the coil on and off.


          Cheerio,
          Peter
          #6510
          1950 Vincent - A Red Rapide Experience

            Comment

            • otis71
              Senior Member
              • Jul 2015
              • 587
              #4
              I have a ULH that required a quick cleaning of the points every few rides or it would not start. Never figured why because it didn’t show any signs of oil but back to topic; I put a quick start in it with the stock coil and it always starts easy now.

                Comment

                • DEEBS47Chief1991
                  Living The Dream
                  • Jan 2023
                  • 1256
                  #5
                  I did a thread on quality condensers a while back:

                  Thor Cap Condenser Conversion - AMCA Forum
                  https://forum.antiquemotorcycle.org/bboard/forum/technical-discussions-indian/chief/326940-thor-cap-condenser-conversion
                  This may have been done before on the forum but here is a valuable upgrade to your points/condenser if you decide to keep them and not go to a Hall effect sensor (electronic ignition). The quality of condensers today is poor at best. In the past 30 years I have had 2 fail in my 47 Chief (both on the way to the Yankee meet in

                    Comment

                    • billpedalino
                      Senior Member
                      • Mar 2005
                      • 1096
                      #6
                      Thank you all for your valuable feedback. I'll probably try it.
                      Bill Pedalino
                      Huntington, New York
                      AMCA 6755

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