Omega Electronic ignition module...NLA!!

[Ross]

I got mine from Munich. There was a wait while they ordered it in though.

[moosehead]

Thanks Stephen, Mattcfish and everyone for all the information.

Finally tracked down my son who is in Germany right now. He says he will call and get info re availability, etc. I was hoping he could pick up a few units and bring them home with him at the end of the month but he says he would incurr VAT. Better to have ship to Canada VAT free. But at least I'll have info and do internet order thing.

Stephen, is this a new outsurce supplier for them? Was there another supplier they were using that used better hardware? Just wondering as my friend who has 2 of these units (I think he got early on from you when you were distubutor) says he's had no problems at all and he has close to 50K kms on the 2 units?? Just concerned about your feedback from the German forums...is this a major problem with these units now?

Going to check out other supplier as well. Stay tuned

I hear what your saying with the Dyna ignition booster...whole points sytem would last a loooong time

Thanks again

Bob

[StephenB]

Bob, I have been out too long, so don't know the recent history of their suppliers, sorry. About the feedback: people except a perfect product for that amount of money, so they are critical of any imperfection. And it is mostly the few people with problems who voice their disappointment openly. I had a few DOA's in my days where I simply could not satisfy the customer. It happens.
I am not sure what kind of components they use in the OMEGA these days (think cost reduction that usually comes with change of source of supply)), but e.g. Sachse has chosen optical elements rather than hall sensors because of the strong alternator magnetic field that can weaken the ignition signal. Sachse do use components with the extended automotive temperature range of up to 100C. You may wanna check that with the OMEGA guys.

[vanzen]

Thanks Stephen,

always good to know ...

[StephenB]

From a another source on ADVrider:

... I have discovered that Stephen Bottcher has been out of the Omega Ignition business for a while and the person who took over has informed me that the German manufacturer sold the ignition part of their business and he has been unable to get supplies from the new owners.

I am not sure if true or false. Tom said nothing to me about that ... but then I didn't ask.

[StephenB]

The OMEGA plot thickens: I have found another hint towards a company "Zodiak" (sounds similar to "Zion" doesn't it!)that allegedly bought the OMEGA ignition business. Uli's Motorradladen, a major German BMW parts distributor is coming up with something that resembles the OMEGA ignition VERY much. Look here and scroll down a bit: http://www.ulismotorradladen.de/englisch/englisch.htm. That looks just like the latest design, except for the amplifier which is bigger.

Uli's Motorradladen is a reputed dealer, I have no personal buying experience with them, but my Dad has.

[pmonk]

when an Omega fails, what are the first symptoms? On ride saturday I was running as normal and suddenly the bike just quit running, it quickly resumed running smooothly as usual.

It quit on me several more times on the ride. Checked carb bowls, floats etc and found nothing but didn't feel like a fuel problem. It would just die suddenly but would restart immediately. Finally it restarted, backfired once and ran perfect the last 75 miles home.

Havent had time to check grounds etc yet. Next step is to be sure it will run on points, in case it gives up the ghost.

So back to the question, What are the first symptoms when it fails.

ps. been away from forum for a long time. It sure looks good.

[mattcfish]

The OMEGA plot thickens: I have found another hint towards a company "Zodiak" (sounds similar to "Zion" doesn't it!)that allegedly bought the OMEGA ignition business. Uli's Motorradladen, a major German BMW parts distributor is coming up with something that resembles the OMEGA ignition VERY much. Look here and scroll down a bit: http://www.ulismotorradladen.de/englisch/englisch.htm. That looks just like the latest design, except for the amplifier which is bigger.

Uli's Motorradladen is a reputed dealer, I have no personal buying experience with them, but my Dad has.

It does look a lot like the Omega, but there is no wording about the advance curve being adjustable.
Honest...I just received a brand new Omega ignition last month. I decided to switch to the newer design for dual plugging.
As you know I've been using the old red design adapted to work with a PM Enduralast Alternator. I've put thousands of miles on this set up and have had no issues with magnetic interferance. The newer design should be even easier to adapt to the Ducati Style Alternator. I'll keep the old unit as a back up.

[StephenB]

when an Omega fails, what are the first symptoms? On ride saturday I was running as normal and suddenly the bike just quit running, it quickly resumed running smooothly as usual.

It quit on me several more times on the ride. Checked carb bowls, floats etc and found nothing but didn't feel like a fuel problem. It would just die suddenly but would restart immediately. Finally it restarted, backfired once and ran perfect the last 75 miles home.

Havent had time to check grounds etc yet. Next step is to be sure it will run on points, in case it gives up the ghost.

So back to the question, What are the first symptoms when it fails.

ps. been away from forum for a long time. It sure looks good.

Anything that switches off abruptly and comes on again the same way is less likely fuel supply or heat related or any type of grounding issues. Gas supply, carbs, heat, grounding issues etc cause "deteriorating" conditions, meaning they are starting with little issues and grow to larger issues until they bite you in the buttocks.

How does a OMEGA die? In fairness, I don't know. I never had one fail on me personally. DOA's I replaced and never heard back. From the ones I hear from time to time, operator error made them stop working instantly (as in short-circuiting and burning them up).

Your problem can be electrical such ignition switch, kill switch or any other short. Random problems of this type are the hardest to diagnose. You gotta watch your symptoms and try to establish root cause by observing all conditions when it happens: riding slow/fast, indicating, pulling clutch, slowing down/accelerating etc etc. Provided, it is not a temperamental kill or ignition switch, I would start by pulling the tank and quickly checking all my connections, cleaning them if necessary using dielectric grease. This way you find any lose connections AND do preventive maintenance at the same time!

[Ross]

This is the Omega fitted to my 94 R100LT...