how to check a used electronic ignition

so I have a used dyna ignition that I'd like to possibly put on my bike. Is there anyway to check to see if it still works without putting it on the bike?

Bicycle Lee wrote:

so I have a used dyna ignition that I'd like to possibly put on my bike. Is there anyway to check to see if it still works without putting it on the bike?

The only true test requires you to set it up as if it were on the bike, so it may be easier to actually put it on the bike unless you have a lot of bench-test equipment... power supply, leads, spare coil, etc.

To really know if it's good it needs the stress test of actually firing a spark. Volt/ohm meter tests are almost useless for such determination.

test baTT (+) to the red wire
batt (-) to the backing plate

analog meter to measure a ac wave signal:
backing plate with 1 test electrode
and white or black wire with the other.

take a screwdriver and move it near to the pick up sensor coil you are testing and the needle will swing every time it sends a signal to the ignition coils thru the black and white wire.

OR

if you have a ignition coil to really test the system as a whole, energize 1 side of the primary imputs, ground main iron core, and put the white or black signal wire to the other primary ( negative) imput and have spark plugs in the main wires and caps,grounded to the core of the coil.

move the screwdriver near the pick up coil and ZAP!

dynamic test of an electronic ignition unit

well, I saw that Z1 sells Dyna 300 ignition systems for only 130 so I might as well just plunk down the scratch for that since it's not that much

Bicycle Lee wrote:

well, I saw that Z1 sells Dyna 300 ignition systems for only 130 so I might as well just plunk down the scratch for that since it's not that much

As listed at Z1E, the Dyna 3 (Dyna III) @ $130 appears to be a discontinued earlier model , whereas the current popular Dyna-S lists for $120. And there's also the programmable Dyna 2000.

Don't know squat about Dyna 3 :S , but wondering, why opt for Dyna 3 instead of Dyna-S? :huh:

the dyna 3 is a great ignition, the main differance is that the dyna 3 has a booster box to help stepup intial voltage to the coils the dyna s is self contained i have both types on numerous bikes and i have never had a problem with either type the dyna s is a bit easier to mount. i still am using my origanal dyna3 plate and i've owned it for close to 20 years it owes me nothing. the dyna s is a little easier to use in racing because it is compatible with every accsessory that dyna makes so for that reason i use them on my racebikes,but the on street i have no problem recommending the dyna3 to anyone it is a fine ignition system.

I'm not opposed to the dyna s, I just didn't see it when I plugged in make model and year of my bike. I saw the dyna 2000 and the dyna 3

Bicycle Lee wrote:

I'm not opposed to the dyna s, I just didn't see it when I plugged in make model and year of my bike. I saw the dyna 2000 and the dyna 3

This link goes to page 1 of Z1E's ignition items for 1978 KZ1000 police.

Go to page 2, then 4th item down, for the Dyna-S.

Dyna-S

Good Luck!

if you don't have any troubleshooting info try dynatek.com they have downloadable info on on their web site and it's pretty good i keep laminated copy's of the troubleshooting notes of all their systems with me at the track in case me or somebody at the track has problem's.

Just came across this...

For Ignition testing and installations... of Dynatek Products.

www.dynaonline.com/skins/downloads/Default.aspx

OMR