Which Electronic Ignition ?

What is wrong with your current EI that needs upgrading would help in knowing which alternative to recommend. If its just old and worn then the Boyer MK4, Pazon Surefire or the Wassell Vape are all pretty much the same function wise and will behave better than the Boyer MK3 at lower battery voltages. If you want added features then that depends on what features you are looking for.

As above not sure whats wrong with your current set up to upgrade but had a Boyer on my T120R since 2003/4 which failed after about 15 years. Replaced with a Wassell as seemed more substantial in design although 15 years was pretty good I guess Starts now first or second  time easily and been on about 2 years with no faults so far. When Boyer was failing could not find fault and wished it still had points etc as may have been easier to track the fault down. Hence left the 59 Dommie as standard.points although not mastered the art of first kick start yet and sometimes think why not change, Good luck Regards, Hugh

I am currently rebuilding a MK3 which I brought in pieces it was fitted with a boyer mk3 but as I plan to get the electric start working and don't want " kick back" I intend to upgrade the ignition so I am following this with interest, I have been interested in the Pazon Altair which is digital but haven't been able to find much info on it, has anybody used one?

Pazon and Tri Spark both publicise their product's 'anti-kickback' feature. Basically it retards the timing even further than normal when kicking-over. It certainly worked for me on my Commando (Tri Spark) and was kind to my ankle and Alton starter. I'm unsure as to whether they're suitable for the Norton Lightweights with regard to physical fitment and timing curve etc. (best to check with the manufacturer).

Only the more expensive digital Pazons have the anti kickback feature, the Trisparks have a low but troublesome failure rate and also are affected by some rect/reg which is difficult to track down.

I use a Voltage Buck set to 12V to guarantee 12V to my Boyer even when the starter drops the system voltage below 12V.

Hi Alan,

I removed an old MK3 Boyer from my Commando and replaced it with a Pazon Altair.

It starts easier and without kick back (even below 12v), idles better and now pulls like a train!

It's also easier to set up and strobe as full ignition advance is reached at 3000rpm.

I thinks it's the only system available with a similar advance curve to the original mechanical advance/retard unit.  

Only downside is it's expensive because I had to source it directly from NZ with all the extra import duty and taxes to be paid. 

Maybe there's a UK supplier nowadays? 

I have had the Pazon Altair for about 4 or 5 years now and it works faultlessly. It replaced a Boyer that was many years old and was becoming intermittent. Also had problems with low volts when using the starter. The bike would whirr over happily on the button but not fire until I released the button, then sometimes it would start. No such problems with the Pazon, and on the odd occasion that I kick start it just for nostalgia, it does not kick back.

There are many UK suppliers, just look on the Pazon web site.

Tony

Thanks everybody for your replies,  as I live in New Zealand Pazon is reasonably local so when I get to the ignition stage I will probably buy one.

And by all means which ever ignition you will install use a strobo lamp to get the correct timing!

Despite my "correct" timing marks on the rotor an stator of my Navigator the timing of my Boyer was 20° off towards TDC! 

That has cost me three new pistons, costs for boring and honing and a lot of time to rebuilt the engine!

Will make a test ride today with hopefully correct timing!

1. Check timing marks for strobe are correct using piton stop and degree wheel.

2. Before first ride strobe the timing.

Boyer has the strobe step in all its instructions, this is the Navigator version.

http://boyerbransden.com/pdf/KIT00047.pdf

23. Start engine and run for 4 to 5 minutes to warm up. Connect the strobe lamp and time with the engine running up to 50OO R.P.M. This is done by moving the stator plate on its slotted holes. If the timing is not obtainable before the end of the adjustment, the magnetic rotor will need to be slackened off and moved a small amount until the timing can be obtained.

Its there for ;-

1. Timing marks cannot be trusted, all it takes in a new alternator rotor to be fitted with the keyway in the wrong place. A lot can happen in 50 years or repairs and wear.

2. The electronic components all have tolerances on their properties, these will affect the circuit's reaction to the pulse from the cam mounted rotor. I have changed the box only and found an 8 degree change was needed, in the few seconds it took to strobe the pipes went blue.

For your information on  aoservices.co.uk is details of a 'make your own' timing pointer to fix on the stator. You have to mark the rotor accordingly of course. And details of 12V and a Wipac originated wiring diagram. Covers all Lightweights.

Hi Andrew - you don't say which Lightweight you have. Jubilee & Navigator are 6v bikes, whilst Electra is 12v. To convert to 12v, ask Al Oz or myself.

Most modern Electronic Ignition systems run at 12v (although a Pazon 6v system was on eBay a few days ago), so Jubilee & Nav will need an upgrade (but you keep your 6v coils as both are fired together- bonus!). The Electra is already 12v, but oddly - you may need to buy 2x 6v coils!

As stressed by several comments above, timing is critical on these short-stroke bikes. Pencil down the plug-hole is not good enough to determine TDC.

1) You need a piston-stopper (old type detachable spark plug with bolt down the middle), a timing disc & a strobe.

2) Fixup timing disc. I find it sits on top of the thick alternator retaining washer & just clears the alternator. Estimate & mark TDC with a wire pointer.

3) Park the pistons at BDC - insert piston stopper & rotate engine gently (4th gear & use back wheel) in one direction until the piston stops - note the reading on your disc. Now rotate the engine the other way until the piston stops again - and note the 2nd reading. If the two readings coincide, you are a genius! Normally, there will be a few degrees variance - Example 39⁰ one way & 35⁰ the other way. The difference is 4⁰, half of that is 2⁰ - move your pointer by 2 degrees - & then check you are getting the piston to stop at 37⁰ on both sides. YOU NOW HAVE TRUE Top Dead Centre.

4) Follow the makers instructions for fitting the unit.

5) If all is well, the bike will now start. and you will need to check/adjust the maximum advance with a strobe as follows:
Jubilee - 32⁰ Fully advanced
Navigator - 24⁰ Fully Advanced
Electra - 30⁰ Fully advanced

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Various comments above state issues with Boyer. I have had a Boyer fitted to my Commando for years, and some time ago (by substitution) I spotted that my amplifier box was faulty. I sent it back to Boyer for testing - & I got it back "no fault found", with a helpful sheet advising me to check a couple of items.
1) It was definitly faulty when I sent it to them.
2) The 'potting' was fresh - so they did have it apart.
3) It now worked - so whatever they did, they fixed it.
4) The helpful sheet (with a couple of items highlited) was useful - I did have a fault in my wiring!

10/10 for Boyer - FullMarks - A1 Service - so I will recommend them time & again........

As it's been about 4 years since the last entry to this thread I was wondering if there are any changes to experience with Pazon or Boyer?
I am now the proud owner of a 62 Navigator. It hasn't run for many years. I'm looking at updating to 12v -ve earth and electronic ignition. 
I am in contact with Andy S but would still be interested in other views. No offence Andy you will get biscuits with your coffee when you come down.

On my web site   aoservices.co.uk  there is a page of information re converting the lightweights to 12V and electronic ignition. All still current, except the point that the lightweight (Wipac) points plate is bigger than the Lucas one as used on the Commando (and Triumphs) So the Pickup plate for the Lightweights is bigger At 3") do make sure you get the plate specific for this engine. Trying to make the Commando(Triumph) one fit is a 'scrappy' job. Also the Boyer Bransden Rotor can touch the back of the pickup plate, Rotor needs 'machining' inwards.
In passing there is/was the Lucas RITA ignition system, this would work for the lightweights, but of course the Lucas RITA is no longer manufactured, BUT I have all the bits to put together one or repair.  AO

I've fitted two new Boyer systems to different lightweights in the last four years.

Listen to what Mr Osborne says. 

Fitting the pickup plate:- check it is not just a little too big diameter. It needs to be a snug fit in the 3" hole, but not tight, or else the plate can't be easily rotated to adjust the timing. Both my examples needed a uniform light touch with a fine flat file to ease the fit. 
Then, when I tried to fit the securing screws, the slots seemed to be cut on too small a circle. A needle file gently on the outer sides of the four slots gave me a pickup plate that could be turned with all four securing screws loosely fitted. Strangely, my own Pazon system needed fettling slightly when I fitted it about 12 years ago.
​​​​​​Peter
​

I have a navigator recently fitted with Boyer. I had the same experience as Peter in that I had to file both the outer very slightly and the ease the slots out.
all starting and running well.

My concern (see above) is that the Commando Pick up Plate is far too small, do NOT attempt to 'bodge' it to fit. It is not fitted with 4 screws either, two slots/screws. AND the fitting screws are pillars. But hey ho you will see all this when you come to fit whatever you decide.

I have been using a 20+ year old Boyer Mk3 on my Navigator, the system has been on other bikes and continues to work well.   
My Boyer bits were for 12v BSA/Triumph single cylinder models with the smaller diameter stator plate so I needed to be "creative" to fit it to the Navigator.
My choice if I were to buy new would be Pazon, mainly for its ability to work at lower voltage.  Does that also reduce the tendency to kick back if the battery voltage is down a bit?  Pazon tells us their system will work at low voltages, might be useful on a 12 volt system as a get you home if the charging system has failed?