Airhead ignition - lost spark or not?

[ohiorider]

Quick question. Do the airhead ignition systems use the 'wasted spark' system, or does a spark plug only fire during compression/power stroke? Purely academic, since I was asked this question by one of the guys on the TriumphRat website, and I don't know the answer for sure. My guess is that it uses the wasted spark system.

Bob

 

[20774]

Your guess is correct.

 

[wecm31]

And thats one less component to worry about....a distributor of any type. With both sides firing every time, one coil pack hits both plugs. No need for any additional parts!!! Airheads....last century technology at its best!!!

come to think of it....I think my 2002 Cavalier must be the same. I changed the plug wires recently, and IIRC it only had two coils. Wasted spark is more common than I might have assumed??

 

[James.A]

I'm going to venture that this is an eye opener fo rguys with british bikes. My old 1967 BSA had 2 sets of points, 1 for each cylinder. What a tune-up nightmare.

 

[keelerb]

Think most of the classic British were wasted spark. Norton Commando was.

 

[ohiorider]

I know the new Bonnies from Hinckley use wasted spark.

Bob

 

[TGHSMITH]

I think it was the three sets of points in triumph triples that led to boyer/branston making aftermarket ignitions, the center cly running hotter made the carb work even worse....