Virago - Accel Super Coil Installation and Notes

Super Coil Mounted
Super Coil Back
Super Coil Top
Super Coil Bottom
Project Bike -1985 XV-1000 Virago

     Back in 1985 I wanted to have the look of the Accel wires on my bike, so I spliced-in a set of 8mm copper core wires. The splicing process was basically an inline wire connector, lots of silicone sealer and shrink tubing. I removed the NGK spark plug caps also. Not thinking at the time about resistance and the TCI unit, I just made the change and it ran great for over 96k miles. The Accel Supoer Coil adaptation was the barinchild of Mike Miller - Austin, Texas.

     While changing-out my OEM coils for the Accelk Super Coil, I decided to check the resistance levels and record them for you to see. Refer to the cart below: (20k phms scale)

Cylindar #1
Cylindar #2
OEM Coils
K Ohms
K Ohms
Total Resistance
No NGK Resister Cap

Non-resistor plugs
.. ..
Accel Super Coil
.. ..


Total Resistance -
with resisitor plugs


Total Resistance - w/o plugs


Autolite Plug Resistance

 

 

     Recently, I heard of an Accel Super Coil that can be installed on the Virago. Aceel makes a single fire super coil for Harley's which will work on the Virago. Accel's part number is 140408.  The primary resistance is 3 ohms.

     Super Coil Project - 1985 XV-1000 Virago - Installation

Parts Needed:

      (1) Accel Super Coil - P/N 140408 - $49.00 plus tax and shipping
      (2) 8.8 mm Copper Core Wires with straight coil boots (90 degree spark plug boots optional)
      (2) BPR7ES (NGK) or Autolite 63 (resister plugs cross-referenced to NGK BPR7ES)
      NOTE: Check the plugs before installing them for resistance - should be around 5k ohms each
                    ( I had to return one plug because it had no resistance)
     
(3) 14-16 gauge closed loop 5/16" dia.connectors (if you don't retain the stock setup)
      (2) 14-16 gauge spade connectors

Fabricated Brackets: (The pictures are not the best, but they give an idea of how it looks)

     
(1) Super Coil mounting bracket (made from 1/8" aluminum plate)   View 1        View 2       View 3       
               (see sketch)

         (1) Pressure Switch mounting bracket - same material        
              View 1       View 2        View 3       View 4        View 5
              (this bracket could've been made in one peice with the right size material)

Installation:

    
 Step 1:
                               
- Gather all your parts
                                - Check total resistance from the super coil (-) terminal to the spark plug core.
                                  (should be 18k ohms)

        Step 2:

                             
  - Make the mounting bracket for the Super Coil
                               - Make the mounting bracket for the Pressure Switch

        Step 3:

                              - Keep the OEM wiring connections and use spade connectors with electrical tape to extend the wires.
                              - Or cut and splice the OEM wires and use crimp connectors

        Step 4:
                             - Assemble the Pressure Switch to the fabricated mounting bracket.
                             - Mount the Pressure Switch bracket assembly to the old coil mounting bolt (the lower one).
                               (Keep this assembly as low as possible)
                             - Plug-in the Pressure Switch electrical connection and attach the vacuum hose.

        Step 5:

                             - Attach the Super Coil wires to the coil
                                          - Both red/wires go to the (+) terminal of the coil
                                          - The Gray wire goes to the left (-) coil terminal
                                          - The Orange wire goes to the right (-) coil terminal

        Step 6:

                            - Mount the Super Coil           View 2       View 3        View 4
                              (Replace the orignal screw with a head bolt to tighten the coil more securely)
                            - Attach the spark plug wires

        OKay! Fire that baby up!!