Coil / CDI whats the deal, are they bike specific?

[Yoshi]

First of all, is the coil and the cdi the same thing, as I have heard and seen people using both words for the same thing, but also using cdi for something else.

I thought the coil was the component which the HT leads come from to the sparkplug. But I have seen these referred to as the cdi. I thought the cdi was the electrical box which controlled when the plugs sparked.

OK so on my old suzuki TS250 when I unwrapped the insulating tape covering the coil (the thing connected directly to spark plug via HT lead) I was a bit surprised to find that where the original connection to the HT lead was, some numbskull has screwed a big screw into it, and wrapped the end of the HT lead around that as a connection. It does work though, the bike has been running like that, when i put the bike back together I'll probably leave it until it breaks.

But are they like reg/recs, where they are easily interchangeable between bikes or are they bike specific (ie I can only replace it with another TS250 one)

Thanks
Matt
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Present: GS650 Katana - Getting ready for summer touring!
Past: TS50, RS50, ZXR400, LT80, TS250

[Paddy Blake]

You are right,that is the coil.They can have ane or two wires and the
connections can be different.You should be able to get one to suit it in the
breakers.
There are many different reg/recs so post a picture and someone might
know what other bike has the same one.

[Kickstart]

[Marci]

If you MUST leave it like that when you rebuild (which I don't advise due to the hefty current that the HT lead kicks out) then do it as follows...

Cut the head off that screw. File the stump into a point. SCREW a new HT lead onto that so that it meets up with the original part. Heatshrink over the join as best possible, then cover it with PlastiDip to seal it all up. I'd also spooge some dielectric grease over the joint before heatshrinking just to keep it watertight.


BUT a generic coil should only cost you £20 if not less and be fine for your bike... usually comes complete with integrated HT lead and plug-cap... most highstreet bike shops have em on the shelves...
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FAB-Racing MiniMotoSidecars - Back with a vengeance - F1 Class 2011...
CBR170 engine, custom chassis - www.minimotoscene.co.uk

[Pete.]

Coils are usually classified by their resistance (in ohms). Get the correct "ohms" coil and you should be okay. Put the wrong one in and you might kill the ignition module. Also be aware that some coils have "resistance leads" so the spark plug lead needs to be the proper value too.
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a.k.a 'Geri'

132.9mph off and walked away. Gear is good, gear is good, gear is very very good

[Yoshi]

Thanks for all the replies.

It'll be sometime before I get this bike back to the point of putting it back together. When I do i'll decide then about putting a new coil on it.

Matt
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Present: GS650 Katana - Getting ready for summer touring!
Past: TS50, RS50, ZXR400, LT80, TS250

[bish777]

most electronic ignition systems use 3 ohm primary coils, if that helps.
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GSXR1100J