Thing 1 & Thing 2 -GL1500 coils in GL1100 - lil help...

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Pb9717
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Thing 1 & Thing 2 -GL1500 coils in GL1100 - lil help...

#1

Post by Pb9717 »

I am in the midst of a refurb/mod of a 2nd GL1100. My 1st GL1100 (thing 1) came out great and won Bike of the Month. Now Thing 2 is undergoing final tweaks before it'll be ready to sell. Thing 2's needed some diagnosing as it was found to be running very rough upon reinstall of the carbs after the randakk carb kit had been put in. Swapping coils/ignition wires with Thing 1 determined they were the cause for the rough running engine. I now need to find a replacement for the coils and would like to include the wires in the items replaced.

I've heard on a youtube video that GL1500 coils are a good swap in, in that they have the ballast resistor built into the coil, and can be installed with no mods. just need to omit the unnecessary third coil.

Can anyone confirm this? I'm this close to getting this bike running silky smooth, and this is likely the last thing that'll need to be done before I list it.

I understand theres a few thousand threads about coils on this forum and I did search for about an hour looking for the answer, but I was hoping a tech guru might have a quick yes or no answer to this question.
(2) 82' GL1100's
99' Triumph Thunderbird Sport 900
2006 Triumph Speed Triple
Cincinnati OH USA
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ericheath
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Re: Thing 1 & Thing 2 -GL1500 coils in GL1100 - lil help...

#2

Post by ericheath »

I don’t think they have a ballast resistor built in the coil but they are roughly 3ohm coils. This will allow ballast removal if you have electronic ignition such as Dyna. The aren’t a straight bolt up but several guys have gotten creative and made them work in the stock position. I had one coil facing up and the other facing down to make it fit. I’m pretty sure I had to grind a bit on the stock mounts as well.

It’s pretty straight forward. The 1500’s had a black wire and a striped wire to each coil. Two had stripes that matched the color of my 77 so I used them. I believe the stripes are the trigger wires from your points or electronic ignition.

If you’re patient they are almost given away on FleaBay.
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77 WING, 1200 engine with 77 heads, cams, gl1100 foot pegs, Magna V65 front end, 764A carbs, [-gone Suzuki M109 monoshock--, replaced with gl1100 shocks] gl 1200 swing arm, gl1500 final drive, wheel and rear brakes Valkyrie seat, Meanstreak tank, Sportster pipes, Power Arc ignition off crank.
77 Wing. black
83 Wing, in pieces
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Pb9717
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Re: Thing 1 & Thing 2 -GL1500 coils in GL1100 - lil help...

#3

Post by Pb9717 »

So, the short answer is "yes"? They'll work?

I have the stock electronic ignition to the best of my knowledge.
(2) 82' GL1100's
99' Triumph Thunderbird Sport 900
2006 Triumph Speed Triple
Cincinnati OH USA
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gltriker
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Re: Thing 1 & Thing 2 -GL1500 coils in GL1100 - lil help...

#4

Post by gltriker »

Cliff (74yrs ;) )

Keep your eyes and ears open and you'll learn something new, everyday. tumb2

New users please visit our "Shop Talk" for common tips and help: <---jdvorchak
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^^^^^^^click up here^^^^^ :oldies

RE: a thorough fuel tank cleaning
"And your carbs will thank you. They no longer live down stream from a sewage plant." -gregforesi tumb2
"Can't see the paint when your looking thru the handlebars..........." -Oldewing ;)
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Cliff

'75 GL1000 home built trike; http://www.ngwclub.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=39996
October,2017 BOTM :shock: https://nakedgoldwingsclub.com/forum/page/Welcome

previous rides:
1953 H-D Servi-car, naked, 1969-1978 (serial#53G1559 committed to memory!)
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Pb9717
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Re: Thing 1 & Thing 2 -GL1500 coils in GL1100 - lil help...

#5

Post by Pb9717 »

YES!

perfect. you guys are the best

I got some 1500 coils off the bay. Thing 2 will be great.
(2) 82' GL1100's
99' Triumph Thunderbird Sport 900
2006 Triumph Speed Triple
Cincinnati OH USA
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Sidecar Bob
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Re: Thing 1 & Thing 2 -GL1500 coils in GL1100 - lil help...

#6

Post by Sidecar Bob »

Note that I had a 1000 engine in my GL1100 when I did that but a few years later I changed to an 1100 engine (still with the Dyna S ignition). There's a link to the thread about replacing the engine in post #9 of that thread
Mr. Honda ('83 GL1100/Dnepr) summer How a motorcycle evolves thread
The Famous Eccles ('84 CX650EI/VeloUral) winter Never Ending Build (CX500forum)
Click: Colour schematics for all GL1000 & GL1100 and GL1200 standard models plus instructions on how to download the full size version
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