[Maintenance Log] Suzuki Air-Cooled 4-Cylinder GS1000S! Goodbye Dyna S, Hello Reliable Modern Full-Transistor Ignition

Bikes are best with original paint, you know~ *Original Paint
Since I’m an old guy, I can only love original paint, haha

Well, the Dyna S has finally… passed away, so we’re swapping it out for a Watanabe SP2.

Limited edition vehicle inspection certificate holders on sale for our 1st anniversary in Chiba (*´ω｀*)

The Watanabe OEM wire connector terminals are nice too

It’s getting better and better.
The wire protrusion from the coil looks improved compared to the early versions.

Back in the day, I was desperately hunting for these materials.
In the early Watanabe days, they just stripped the wire and bent it to plug it in.
Those times feel nostalgic now… Watanabe has become a legendary ignition component with such a long history.

The depth of the spark plug cap’s threaded section.
If you measure and mark the wire side with a marker before threading, you’ll reduce ambiguity.

Thread it in to about this line.

Over-threading stresses the wire, and under-threading isn’t ideal either.
Don’t thread it all the way until it won’t go any further.
That old method of tapping bearings in with a sound? Not recommended.

Is the included spacer collar diameter a bit thin?

For an M6 inner diameter, 10mm outer diameter seems a bit thin, doesn’t it?
I’m changing it to 15φ and shortening the length.

I’ve replaced all the included bolts with my preferred specs.

I’ll do a quick endoscope check to make sure it’s not touching the tank.
Looks good.

On the GS1000, it catches when removing, so chamfering the edges makes installation and removal easier.

It’s great that the pickup is included in the modern era

A while back, you had to adapt a Katana pickup.
The world has really improved, hasn’t it?

This gap is really critical. Make sure to check it carefully.

Fabricating a mounting bracket for the Watanabe SP2 unit

I like making it slightly stepped (*´ω｀*)
The material is titanium grade 2, and I’m using a well nut to secure it to the mud guard.
Basically, I think floating parts are less likely to break.

Fixed it like this with velcro.

Reduce parts that could fall off during spark plug wire routing.
Clip-style wire number/spark plug wire clips

Even if you lose one while riding, you can manage with one missing.
Thorough air blowing and inspection are necessary.

Since the tachometer is electric, once I install it, the Watanabe is complete
Working on the rear chain line issue now…