Boyer ignition problem?

[Deleted User 62]

Sorry if this is a bit off topic here, but a friend with an early 1970s Triumph is having some ignition problems (go figure!) It's equipped with a Boyer electronic ignition. When we turn the key on, ignition light comes on and he can start the bike, but it dies in a couple of seconds. No ignition light. We can turn it on and kick the bike through once without starting and the light will go off... and then sometimes it comes on again after a few seconds (wtf?) No spark when no ignition light. Is there a method to troubleshoot electronic ignitions? I know some of you dabble in English electrics, any ideas?

[Garnet]

His symptoms don,t exactly match the ones found here:

http://www.boyerbransden.com/faultfinding.html

It sounds like the power to the black box is cutting out, like a bad connection or poor switch.

They answer their emails very quickly at Boter, drop them a line.

[Deleted User 62]

His symptoms don,t exactly match the ones found here:

http://www.boyerbransden.com/faultfinding.html

It sounds like the power to the black box is cutting out, like a bad connection or poor switch.

They answer their emails very quickly at Boter, drop them a line.

Thanks Garnet, I forwarded that link to him. Turns out the "generator" light is actually oil pressure...

[sabre2]

I bought a Boyer ignition unit for my'78 R100rs.It was unuseable from new.Phone calls,letters and e-mails remained unanswered.I paid a lot of money for something I could not use.I should have heeded those who said that if they had an ignition problem on a customers bike,the first thing they did was to take off the Boyer (if fitted). Blue Skies.KC

[Garnet]

I bought a Boyer ignition unit for my'78 R100rs.It was unuseable from new.Phone calls,letters and e-mails remained unanswered.I paid a lot of money for something I could not use.I should have heeded those who said that if they had an ignition problem on a customers bike,the first thing they did was to take off the Boyer (if fitted). Blue Skies.KC

That sucks. Who did you buy it from?

I bought 2 Micro Digital kits from Motobins last summer. One of the rotors had a machining fault and would not sit corretlcy on the cam nose. I emailed Motobins a discription of the fault and and a pic and they promptly mailed me another rotor and told me to throw the faulty one in the garbage.

[sabre2]

Yes,Mine also had this fault--"D" shape hole in rotor would not fit onto camshaft nose extension.On the sole time I managed to actually speak to someone,the guy said "Drill the hole out bigger" ! I hadn't got a drill whjch would drill "D" shape holes.The supplier was helpful and sent another rotor.When I fitted the complete system--It wouldn't work at all.I'd had bought it a year or so beforehand,so really didn't think it fair to complain to the suppler.

[chasbmw]

Boyers do provide a 5 year G'tee, so either Boyer or the supplier should have been asked to stand behind it. Whenever I have rung either the company I have had sensible replies and good service. Boyer do charge to check out the black box, probably to weed out the numpties who connect them up wrongly, power into the earth wire will result in a dead black box. ( I know, I did this fitting a Boyer back in 1978).

On the Triumph, I would look for an intermittent connection somewhere, either in the power or the earth to the black box. Boyers can get upset if asked to run on low battery voltages, the older versions default to full advance under these conditions.
Charles

[rheritage]

I had a similar problem on my R75/5 with a Boyer installed, bike would shut down intermittently. Turns out the fuse holder had a crack that was expanding and the fuse would lose contact and the engine would shut down. I replaced the fuse holder and have not had a problem since, bike runs great.

[Roy Gavin]

I bought a Boyer for my B44 which had next to no magnetism in one of the magnets on the rotor - worth a check before you fit if you buy a Boyer.