Topic: thoughts on maxi-dwell

[vrm]

I havve a spare non-running motor. The good motor had a maxi-dwell unit in it but one side wasn't working. After a quick filing with no luck I swaped it out for the stock unit and moved on to other problems. Now that the reliability has settled down I've been looking at the maxi again. I think I'm going to cut the rivets and put new points on it. That way it could be repaired on the road. If that doesn't fix it I'll try replacing the caps. I like the neon timing light since mine doesn't seem to work any more. The fact that the two point sets can't be timed and dwelled separately not so much but splitting the difference should be OK. What is the current consensus on the maxi-dwell? I read that Hondaman was working on a LED timing light. Did that ever happen?

[doobiebro]

I have one on my 1977 750K and really like how easy it is to time with the built-in light.  I also appreciate having the Chevy points that can be found at any auto parts store.  I drilled out the rivets, as you mentioned, but more for being able to tweek the placement of the points on the plate than for replacement.  The points should last many miles.  And since I am running 3 ohm coils, the Chevy points handle the extra spark with no problem.  As for performance, I don't have enough knowledge to say whether or not it is an improvement.  I would like to know if any of the forum's electrical/ignition gurus have any input regarding the Maxi-Dwell effectiveness.

[ekpent]

I have one of those still in the original packaging that I have never used yet. When I was checking them out though one drawback I read was that the backing plate was rather thin and flimsy compared to a Honda original and may possibly change a little or distort during high heat cycles.

[754]

Ek let me know if you are selling that..
 
 I used corvette points.. Higher tension springs..

[TwoTired]

Where do/did the condensers go?

[vrm]

Where do/did the condensers go?

The condensers are smaller, yellow, solid state and on the bottom of the plate.

[KRONUS0100]

im going to be building one of these on an old honda plate using ford points and condensors.  way cheaper than good and right honda points

[vrm]

One of the big advantages of using Chevy points is that they can be adjusted while the motor is running.

[scottly]

One of the big advantages of electronic ignition is that once set, it never needs to be adjusted.
The Maxi-Dwell is mostly hype; the dwell is a function of the point cam and the gap. Those appear to be mylar capacitors, which were common in the '70s, though I've never seen them used on points ignition systems. Granted, the Chevy points may tolerate more current to support lower primary resistance coils, but points are points.

[754]

Mine worked very well , those points are easier to work with than the Honda ones. It seems that some replacement points may be of lesser quality  than OeM. Honda.

 GM points great availability..got to say seems like I did not have to play with them very often..

[scottly]

You need to find a Gerex ignition, Frank. 

[oldbob]

Back in the '70s I had a Maxi-Dwell on my CB550K0, and I liked it a lot. So, when I restored my CB400F this year, I bought a Maxi-Dwell off of eBay. I can't say that it performs better, but it is easy to adjust, and I think it is sort of cool.

Bob