BMW NOS points note.

[dwire]

Do keep in mind that while there are all manner of points files out there' I think I've only run across one that might do the job properly, yet - I am pretty sure I'd not be up to the task! (they are properly cupped to return the points to their original convex shape...

If you put a new set of points in anything; from ignition to an old voltage regulator and run them for a short period (obviously a lot longer on a voltage regulator as it cycles FAR SLOWER..) upon inspection, you should notice that there is only a contact spot right in the very center of the points. The reason for this is that each half of the breakers are convex in construction; or some only have one that is truly convex, but most I've run across both are - likely as it is cheaper to use two identical parts to tack onto a set of points than two different ones... Now if a points file gets you home, that is great! But in the end the points as they "flatten" from filing will arc in a larger area and self-destruct rather quickly thereafter. It is also rough however hard one tries to get the filing straight; therein lies an issue with setting the gap with one's feeler gauges too.

Points for anything no mater how archaic the machine are "generally" made in such a fashion; there are lots of reasons, none really important to elaborate on, other than filing points is like heroin - the first one is free; thereafter the need to file them becomes greater and greater and never goes away!

These points "look" so simple, I wonder if there is an over-the-counter replacement you could get to retrofit as the $$ you are talking seemed super high for just a set of breaker points! - Must be the conversion, but I thought the dollar was all that was not worth squat???

[dwire]

Resurfacing points can be disasterous, but I might too wish to save the money. Once cleaned up, can you dip them in an ultrasonic bath to get the tiny dirt ouf of the valleys?

So many customers trucked in a dead bike from filing points. Jsut a warning.

Good morning Duane. Indeed I can imagine that, but never saw that to speak of except in a voltage regulator I believe..

So would you say that my statement which ended up after yours is incorrect somehow? Are BMW breaker points truly flat? If They are, I should do away with that post, but everything I have seen (including super limited experience with /5's) leads me to believe they are no different than any other points as such and are indeed not flat from the get-go.

Is that incorrect? Please let me know and I'll pull it. Soon enough I'll be down to my pile(s) of spare parts; near the end of the month - I think i have a few more points for these bikes somewhere - unknown if they are antique or not, but I'm still leaning in the camp that they all were made in such fashion. Years ago, we were shown the proper way to file points for such things for a myriad of classes required to keep my certifications and that was covered - they had sort of spoon shaped files that frankly looked impossible to use. They said I did a fine job - I thought they were BS'ing me - still do today... I want to say the Tecumseh points used flat and convex where as the rest were both convex, but like many things, I was likely about 16 or 17, so some knowledge has either dripped out of my ears or been jumbled up while still between them...

[Airbear]

Ah, I'd better elaborate about re-using points. I pull them apart, use a vise to hold each part and file them slightly convex with a very fine file. Then a couple of grades of 'wet n dry' and finish them with Brasso polish. It takes a while but they come up very nicely. Been doing that forever with VW points.

Out on the road if the engine starts missing around 4000 I know I've got that mountain and valley thing happening. So I find a comfortable spot, brew coffee and pop the cover off. I pull a points file through the gap a couple of times while pressing a finger on the back of the moving point to take that tit off and I'm right to go.

Re the cost of points and other parts, we are simply robbed by our suppliers. Most of us Aussies are starting to buy from overseas now. Australian retailers are wailing loudly about that.

[dwire]

Do you keep records for your VW's? If so, can you say if a pair of new points does or does not outlast the filed ones and if so by how much? If it sounds like I am busting your ba11s, I'm not, I'm merely curious as to how well your reconditioned points wear compared to just a replacement. I have a handful of different types of points that surely never came close to what they did when new is the reason I'm asking...

And the little tools I'm sure I've lost over the years are not a whole heck of a lot of good IMHO - maybe for picking (raking) a lock, but sort of wishful thinking in the miniature points department if I recall what the engine companies were talking about. My guess now looking back is they never wanted them filed anyhow as new parts brought income - filing did not. Perhaps this was a lesson in why TO JUST PUT IN NEW PARTS - sounds more logical to me after all these years, but who knows??? They told us some crazy stuff in some of those meetings. Don't ask what they initially said was required to change an R12 system over to R134A... OMG!

[Major Softie]

Not all the old points (for assorted manufacturers) had convex surfaces. In fact, although some did, most of the points I remember did not. Most of the ones I dealt with had a flat contact surface with very slightly rounded shoulders. The convex ones were more "rare." My experience came mostly from American and Japanese cars, and Japanese motorcycles, in the late 60's and through the 70's.

[Airbear]

I believe the points only contact in one spot, no matter how flat they start out. Convex points make a lot more sense IMO.
I never kept records of longevity, but my feeling is that filed points do not last quite as long as new before needing re-surfacing. It's a bit like a new saw blade vs one a mere human has sharpened by eye. The biggest problem is where one point surface has a big deep hole, but it is possible to shift the high part of the convex surface by careful filing to counter that.

The point (sorry) is that the life of points can be extended many times. I was shown how to do it by an old bush mechanic. Being poor and isolated, necessity provides the incentive to re-use whatever can be re-used. Old airheads do not have a label saying, "No user serviceable parts inside".

ps: I've transcended air-cooled VWs now, but still yearn for that elegant simplicity. I envy Chuey and Melville and others who stuck with them.

[jagarra]

How about something like these for cleaning up your points, not too abrasive.

http://www.jonard.com/jonard-ecommerce/ ... BURNISHERS

[Major Softie]

How about something like these for cleaning up your points, not too abrasive.

http://www.jonard.com/jonard-ecommerce/ ... BURNISHERS

That confuses me. The only "burnishing" I'm familiar with does not involve any type of abrasive, but only the process of moving metal around with a hardened rod or ball, as with smoothing and "turning" the edge on a scraper for woodworking, or burnishing gold-leaf onto a surface.

[jagarra]

We used to use these in primarily electronics work when the old computers were filled with relays and layers upon layers of contact points. These are meant to clean without removing excess material, but i do see that they are offered in different grades of abrasive levels. Seems to me that they would work to clean your points without totally destroying the contour.

I believe burnishing is the process of rubbing?

[Airbear]

Jagarra, I guess if you went in there every few days a barely abrasive burnisher would do the trick. Quite a lot of metal transfers from one point to the other so there is a little mountain and a corresponding valley fitting together. I believe that with the points flapping about at speed, the mountain doesn't necessarily fit into the valley in the same manner each time, which mucks up the timing. A standard points file works well enough on the road but I prefer a small 'first cut' file when I've got the points separated and clamped in a vise. Finishing with fine abrasive papers and a final metal polish makes them gleam.

ps: Sounds like you were involved in a pretty exciting stage of computer development. Must have been fun.