TRI SPARK vs. PAZON (2009)

Brooking 850 · Feb 5, 2015

+ 1+ 1 on the Pazon Surefire, easy to fit and time, black box easy to stow away from heat
Regards Mike

phillyskip · Feb 5, 2015

I'm using a Pazon unit on my 73 750 Commando and it's been great! I've also had good luck with the Sparx units on my old Triumphs. I'd stick with the Pazon for the Commando .The TriSpark unit is very expensive compared to the other two, I don't know if it's worth the big difference.

aries · Feb 6, 2015

Three failures with Tri Spark......... Gave up and fitted Pazon Altair. Same solid tickover and performance as Tri Spark and I happier knowing im gonna get home.

tomspro · Feb 6, 2015

I think we should have a tug-O-war contest at the next INOA meeting between Pazon and TriSpark owners.
That would settle the matter once and for all.
:twisted:

Onder · Feb 6, 2015

A bit reluctant to weigh in as my experience seems inconclusive but:
Two Altair installations. Norton 850 mk2 and Enfield Interceptor.
Full rebuild on Norton none on Enfield except new amal premmies.
Both I find difficult to start. Sometimes first kick usually many kicks.
Sometimes I give up. Both run well once running .

Norton has all stock electricals but for the Altair. Enfield had new
6v automotive coils. On it final ride of the season the Enfield suffered
a complete coil failure and I walked 8 miles home. One coil tested fine,
the other no spark at all.

I have had many brit bikes and usually used analogue Boyer never had trouble
or a failure.

Not convinced it is the EI that is at fault. Will eventually solve it one way or another
and will report back.

cmessenk · Feb 6, 2015

Pazon Surefire for the past 6 years coupled with a Mikuni Tm34. Seriously, if it doesn't start 1st kick after 3 weeks or 3 months I'm immediately in WTF mode.

Triton Thrasher · Feb 7, 2015

Cookie said:
In the old days I think you needed dual points for high rpms.

Or to keep the price down by omitting a distributor. Also, adjustment of timing on individual cylinders reduces the requirement for precision in manufacturing.

Unit Triumph and Commando twins used dual points, but previous versions of the same engines, doing the same rpm, didn't need dual points.

laurentdom · Feb 7, 2015

Very satisfied with my Pazon Sure Fire. No back fire, easy start, stable idle and more power smoothly delivered (compared to a worn-out set of points to be honest!).

If you decide to go for it, install the coil using the heat insulator (ie "heat sink" as they call it).

Moreover, a friendly and prompt technical support from Andy when needed.

L.

lwmcd1 · Feb 7, 2015

pelican said:
How tough is it to convert from a boyer to a tri spark?...How much work would be involved?

I did mine in the parking lot of the place I bought it and rode home on it in about an hour.

trident sam · Feb 7, 2015

I have two Pazon Sure Fire ignitions on two Commandos, neither has given any problems. One bike has had it about eight years and @15,000 miles, it replaced a Boyer analogue , the bike had become difficult to start and with the low voltage limitations I just wanted a change. The Pazon was on the other bike when I bought it.
I don't like the idea of the Tri-spark in the points housing due to the reasons above (heat/vibration) , however Tri-spark is just superb on the triples, probably because it fires the coils separately like the original points, and not so voltage sensitive.
I think Pazon Sure Fire is a bargain , and a great deal with it's 7 & half year warranty.
sam

Brooking 850 · Feb 8, 2015

Ludwig, what was the issue with the Altair, I run a Sure Fire with the 2 x individual 6 volt coils and was looking at using the Altair as an upgrade?
Regards Mike

Hobot · Feb 9, 2015

Anyone willing to test my Pazion Sure Fire that two electroic ignition familar guys could not get to fire but for hints at a time till nothing at all. Everything checked perfect and even ordered a new brain box but no help so went back to perfect functioning points - till AAU wears out again. I suspect mine may be d/t cam area mis fit but not smart enough to know how to find hidden fault there yet. If mine would work in others then i'd know its a mechanical issue not Pazion or me. If mine does work in others it might apply to others with similar let downs no fault of their own. IIRC there's been 2 reports of Pazion cam area mis fit- bad clearances that solved no fire Pazion SureFire issue.

Reggie · Feb 9, 2015

I have had 2 x Trispark failures. I bought a Boyer after the second failure as I was a bit pissed off. But I also wrote to Steve Kelly a few weeks later and asked if there was any point getting another Trispark unit after my two failures, as I reasoned that the same situation would re-occur.
He said that he had a revised version, the "New and improved for 2013!" version that allegedly there had been no failures to that point in time, and he sent me one free of charge which was good customer service in my opinion. I have fitted it, and done about 2,000 miles and all is ok up to now. I have the Boyer unit on the bike with it's wiring tucked away so that if there is a failure, I am able to hook it up in half an hour or so.

I'm hopeful that this version will be reliable, if it isn't it will be goodbye Trispark (on the Norton) forever, but I have to give it a try as this time it was provided free of charge. Hopefully this version will restore Trisparks reputation....we shall see.

mike996 · Feb 9, 2015

I have around 10k Miles on my Trispark and it's been great. IF it became a problem, I would go back to the oem points/AAU, and never bother with electronic again. The ONLY advantage to electronic is that you don't have to perform regular maintenance. Considering "normal" routine maintenance on a Commando, adjusting/maintaining points/AAU is rather minimal…

Hobot · Feb 9, 2015

Only a few new AAU's left world wide and all over $100 usd and no more being made so must take good lube care nursing it along or learn how to rebuild em upgraded. If its got ovaries, a motor or electrics, expect troubles.

Fast Eddie · Feb 9, 2015

Reggie said:
I have had 2 x Trispark failures. I bought a Boyer after the second failure as I was a bit pissed off. But I also wrote to Steve Kelly a few weeks later and asked if there was any point getting another Trispark unit after my two failures, as I reasoned that the same situation would re-occur.
He said that he had a revised version, the "New and improved for 2013!" version that allegedly there had been no failures to that point in time, and he sent me one free of charge which was good customer service in my opinion. I have fitted it, and done about 2,000 miles and all is ok up to now. I have the Boyer unit on the bike with it's wiring tucked away so that if there is a failure, I am able to hook it up in half an hour or so.

I'm hopeful that this version will be reliable, if it isn't it will be goodbye Trispark (on the Norton) forever, but I have to give it a try as this time it was provided free of charge. Hopefully this version will restore Trisparks reputation....we shall see.

I wish Steve would 'go public' with what was wrong with the earlier versions and what he has done to the newer ones, it would (I believe) put peoples mind at rest. I have the new version and so far it has been great. I've had Tri-Spark on other bikes and the results have been great (really great actually), so I wanted one for the Commando.

Actually, to go against the flow here, I like the fact that the 'black box' is all self contained cos it keeps things super-simple... like me!

But let us consider... Modern cars and bikes have coils mounted directly on the plugs, buried deep inside DOHC cylinder heads. Which whilst being kinda irrelevant to our old bikes, does go to show that electronic technology has moved on a tad since our Lucas points were conceived!

Well, at least I hope it has, otherwise I might be in the market for a new ign shortly...!

kernel65 · Feb 9, 2015

The Pazon has worked great and it's a one kick bike most of the time, pretty simple and straight forward on setting up. However, after 2500 miles I just experienced a no-spark condition and have tried to get ideas of what it could be other than the Pazon. Everything seems to point to the ignition module box, so off it goes tomorrow to get tested and to see what the issue is. I hope it's just something I've overlooked but we will find out.

Scott

Hobot · Feb 9, 2015

Scott - in science/engineering when a vital component is not possible to open and examine and its internal operation a mystery its called a "BlackBox" and that's what you now have as there is no way to check the Pazion ign module but process of elimination if nothing else found at fault, ya just put in another to see if that was it or not and scratch butt or head if still don't work, then what...

kernel65 · Feb 9, 2015

Your right Hobot, I've itched both places and now it's up to someone smarter than me to figure out the black box. I'll report back with results.

N0rt0nelectr@ · Feb 12, 2015

I had a Tri-Spark on my 74 Norton when I lived in Phoenix. Not sure why it died, maybe the heat as I did ride it most every day and in the summer it can hit 110 for days on end. I sent it back and got a replacement, killed that one too. Again,not sure why but I will blame the heat. Installed a Pazon and haven't had an issue in 4 years. What I like about the Pazon is that unlike the Boyer or Tri-Spark you can remove the timing cover with out cutting the wires just unscrew the set screw and off it comes.
Just my opinion and my experiences.
John in Texas

TRI SPARK vs. PAZON (2009)

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