My friend in Japan has a 1991 R100GS-PD and he wants to use a MSD MC-1 ignition system on his bike. I spoke MSD's tech support and he (Brett) indicated that it might be possible to make the MSD MC-1 system work on the R100GS but it depends on the bike. He asked if the bike fires every 360 degrees (1 cylinder on compression stroke/1 cylinder on exhaust stroke). Is this true for this bike? In addition, has anyone on this forum used an ignition system by MSD on their bike?
Regards,
Lee Phlegar
Yokohama Japan
Newbie question
Re: Newbie question
Don't know if you've seen this installation instructions document. http://www.mpsracing.com/instructions/MSD/MC1_4210.pdf
It seems to me the unit should work on an airhead wired in the 1/2 cylinder mode using a dual output coil as shown 1st diagram.
Pretty obvious how to wire it with points but the instructions suggest firing the unit via the existing amplifier i.e. not the hall sensor in the bean can. Seems a bit odd to have to piggy back the units so that is one issue you should clarify with tech support as if you do have to piggy back the units it begs the question what benefit is derived from using the MSD MC1 especially if retaining stock coils. The reference to multi spark duration perhaps answers that question but it may raise another and that is the effect of 70 deg of spark duration in a wasted spark application. The normally timed wasted spark may be fine but is one that occurrs 70 deg later ? Possibly it will be OK and maybe the reason why the Tech asked you about 360 deg firing intervals.
It seems to me the unit should work on an airhead wired in the 1/2 cylinder mode using a dual output coil as shown 1st diagram.
Pretty obvious how to wire it with points but the instructions suggest firing the unit via the existing amplifier i.e. not the hall sensor in the bean can. Seems a bit odd to have to piggy back the units so that is one issue you should clarify with tech support as if you do have to piggy back the units it begs the question what benefit is derived from using the MSD MC1 especially if retaining stock coils. The reference to multi spark duration perhaps answers that question but it may raise another and that is the effect of 70 deg of spark duration in a wasted spark application. The normally timed wasted spark may be fine but is one that occurrs 70 deg later ? Possibly it will be OK and maybe the reason why the Tech asked you about 360 deg firing intervals.
barry
Cheshire
England
Cheshire
England
Re: Newbie question
Barry,
I have the instruction manual that you posted but thanks for supplying the link. My Japanese friend is going to purchase the recommended coil that is referenced in the instructions (PN 8204). MSD tech support asked the firing question because he was concerned about # of pickups that would be needed to work with the MSD MC-1 unit. He indicated there shouldn't be a problem if the firing is at 360 degrees since it will only use 2 pickups. He also indicated that there wouldn't be enough room on the plate to house more than 2 pickups. He siad the bike would require purchasing the following: http://www.msdpowersports.com/Products/ ... nd-Magnet/ and make a custom plate that will hold the pickups ..like the following: http://www.msdpowersports.com/Products/ ... 0--86--88/. That being said, I want to make sure that the MSD MC-1 will work with my friends bike and if he also needs to purchase the pickups and magnet and make a custom plate for his bike. Would it be possible for you to email Brett at MSD and clarify any technical questions before I recommend to my friend that he needs to purchase the pickups and magnet? My friend already plans on purchasing the coil but I am sure he is not aware that he will need to purchase addition components. Brett's email is:BKugler@MSDPERFORMANCE.COM
Cheers,
Lee
I have the instruction manual that you posted but thanks for supplying the link. My Japanese friend is going to purchase the recommended coil that is referenced in the instructions (PN 8204). MSD tech support asked the firing question because he was concerned about # of pickups that would be needed to work with the MSD MC-1 unit. He indicated there shouldn't be a problem if the firing is at 360 degrees since it will only use 2 pickups. He also indicated that there wouldn't be enough room on the plate to house more than 2 pickups. He siad the bike would require purchasing the following: http://www.msdpowersports.com/Products/ ... nd-Magnet/ and make a custom plate that will hold the pickups ..like the following: http://www.msdpowersports.com/Products/ ... 0--86--88/. That being said, I want to make sure that the MSD MC-1 will work with my friends bike and if he also needs to purchase the pickups and magnet and make a custom plate for his bike. Would it be possible for you to email Brett at MSD and clarify any technical questions before I recommend to my friend that he needs to purchase the pickups and magnet? My friend already plans on purchasing the coil but I am sure he is not aware that he will need to purchase addition components. Brett's email is:BKugler@MSDPERFORMANCE.COM
Cheers,
Lee
Re: Newbie question
Lee,
I’m not sure how helpful it would be to get directly involved as an intermediary but you might want to contact MSD along the following lines :-
I am trying to clarify if an MSD- MC1 ignition unit is suitable for use on a BMW air cooled flat twin that has 360 deg firing intervals.
The stock wasted spark system uses a single Hall effect sensor and electronic ignition unit switching a single dual output coil that fires both plugs at the same time.
It is proposed to trigger the MSD- MC1 with the 42306 Universal Trigger Kit which has two Pickups. This suggests the adoption of a non wasted spark system with two coils but is it possible to use a single pick up to trigger one dual output coil when using the 42306 in a 2 cylinder wasted spark application.
Can you confim that the 42306 trigger kit interfaces directly with the MSD MC1 unit and if so is there a connection diagram available.
Lastly, if a wasted spark system is adopted on a 360 deg engine I assume the very late spark does not cause problems on the wasted spark cylinder as it can on narrow angle V twins.
MSD currently sell even more sophisticated and expensive ignition systems and if the instructions for the current units are anything to go by they expect you to already understand a fair amount about how to connect them up.
I’m not sure how helpful it would be to get directly involved as an intermediary but you might want to contact MSD along the following lines :-
I am trying to clarify if an MSD- MC1 ignition unit is suitable for use on a BMW air cooled flat twin that has 360 deg firing intervals.
The stock wasted spark system uses a single Hall effect sensor and electronic ignition unit switching a single dual output coil that fires both plugs at the same time.
It is proposed to trigger the MSD- MC1 with the 42306 Universal Trigger Kit which has two Pickups. This suggests the adoption of a non wasted spark system with two coils but is it possible to use a single pick up to trigger one dual output coil when using the 42306 in a 2 cylinder wasted spark application.
Can you confim that the 42306 trigger kit interfaces directly with the MSD MC1 unit and if so is there a connection diagram available.
Lastly, if a wasted spark system is adopted on a 360 deg engine I assume the very late spark does not cause problems on the wasted spark cylinder as it can on narrow angle V twins.
MSD currently sell even more sophisticated and expensive ignition systems and if the instructions for the current units are anything to go by they expect you to already understand a fair amount about how to connect them up.
barry
Cheshire
England
Cheshire
England