Omega ignitions failing.........

[ME 109]

Sounds like everyone's Omega ignition system is failing.

The Omega show is over.

Her's an email from GSPD.

OT - For the information of the forum guys.
My Omega ignition pooped out, after about 20,000kms of running perfectly.
It will still spark but the 14 advance curves are now 1 advance curve, and not the right one.
I've left it hooked up and timed it in the ballpark for limited emergency use if the beancan fails.
I had an extended warranty on it til March 2012 (helped SteveB out with some technical issues)
That warranty is now worthless.
It appears the whole shebang went tits up, no technical or warranty support available.
No upgraded replacement parts available either.
Here's how the conversation went. The following emails were condensed and some text was emphasized, but not in any meaningful way.




July 2-2011, I emailed SteveB:


I was wondering if you could somehow help me out with a problem:
My Omega ignition just crapped out today.


Everything was perfect, then I suddenly lost power, I immediately switched to the beancan and it ran fine.
Boy was I happy to have that switch!
I got home and checked the timing; it's dead on with the beancan, but with the Omega It wasn't advancing (stayed on 'S' when trying to rev it).


I tried all the different advance curves and found that on most (half?) of the positions there is no advance at all. BUT on the other positions there is waaay too much advance.
The positions that do work all seem to give the exact same amount of advance, the 'F' mark goes past the top of the window.
I tried my spare amplifier, no difference.


The problem is definitely with the the sensor board


I'm not sure if my warranty (expires March 6-2012 ? ) still applies now that you are no longer in the biz.


What should I do now? Can you help me out? Any ideas?


Anxiously awaiting your reply,
Claude


PS - When something is wrong with my baby, something is wrong with me.






July 3- 2011, He replied:
am sorry that your unit crapped out and took its last breath ... by the
sound of it. It's been nearly two years and I have no more spare parts
whatsoever. Sold my own dual ignition to go back to points and single plug..
And then sold that bike a few months ago.
As for the OMEGA: they apparently sold the assets to another company and
actually buy from them what they need. The guy in Toronto who took over from
me has stopped supplying anything to the US due to the on-off supply and
customer service, so it seems to me a good product is gone form the market.

So I am sorry to say that I have no way to stay to my word. I don't know
what to say at this point.

Stephen

[mattcfish]

I was able to order a dual spark unit back in March. I got it directly from the German manufacturer. A difficult sight to work with but by emailing part numbers to them with a German translation I was able to get service and paid way less than the the North American distributor would have charged. I know they have since sold the rights to the ignitions, but perhaps they can still help get you in touch with a source. I'll try to email the contacts I had and see what I can find out.

[Ross]

So the count down is on for mine then. I have 14 thousand kilometres to go then. Better save my pennies for a reconditioned bean can.

[mattcfish]

Here's the page I ordered mine from back in March.
http://omega-oldtimer.de/uknews1.html
Looks like it's been up dated...it didn't have photos before.
I've sent off some emails to see if I can get some information.

[moosehead]

Do you think heat is a possible cause for the failures of the Omega??

I am putting one in my 77RS and was going to put the processor up under the gas tank and not in behind the front cover.

This unit is not an Omega but looks like it. The processor part is bigger. It came from Ulis Motorraladen in Germany.


Is this the one you have Matt?

[twist]

this news is distressing. I bought an Omega 5 years ago, have since ridden to Death Valley, Whedby Island and various other long rides for a total of around 47000 miles since install. I always carry points just in case. This has been a great product for me so far.

[Airbear]

Hmm, mine failed recently after less than a year of me praising its merits. Initially it just cut out when the engine was hot but would go again after a few minutes of cooling down. This happened at an increasing rate so I switched back to points - I'm also glad I put a switch into the circuit (thanks for that advice GSPD, if you are out there).

I haven't had the chance to check things out properly yet. I was wondering if it might be due to still running on the old original coils, but figure that both systems should be producing a 0 to 12 volt, on/off signal. She runs well enough on the points except for being more 'vibey' at higher revs - my points cam is a bit messy (long story). Anyway, I am disappointed. It took a long time to save the money to buy the Omega and I was so pleased with it. That big Monty Python foot just stomped on me again, perhaps. So it goes.

[Deleted User 62]

I had an early version (red) with a manufacturing defect I didn't find out about until over a year after I bought it, when I finally mounted it. The adjustment screw had some kind of glue or resin around it that prevented it from turning easily. Since it was out of warranty, I forced it, and it worked for awhile, but eventually failed. No longer adjustable as per GSPDs post. In general, I think it is the pickup that fails, not the "processor". I've started carrying the parts to return it to stock, if necessary.

[Ross]

Looks like it is a hit and miss thing with maybe heat thrown in to the mix.

I feel for Charley the most knowing how hard he saved for his.

Charley fiddling his points March last year.

http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_hq84QKFM6do/S ... 161618.JPG

[mattcfish]

Two failures with bikes that use a switch to go back and forth. Could there be a problem with this method of use?