Topic: Fully programmable electronic ignition conversion (Base Timing CB 550/650)

[Oette]

Hey folks,

Got my hands on a fully programmable electronic ignition and I'm about to replace the standard ignition. Since the advancer springs had there best times probably before I was born, the mechanical advancer will be replaced by a dummy holding all the necessary rotating parts for the electronic ignition. It will be fixed (no mechanical advance anymore) and the advance is programmed in the CDI. So here is my question:

What's the base timing, meaning the advance in degrees in relation to TDC without any further dynamical advance of the CB 550 or CB 650? It needs to be set in the software. Probably I could measure it myself but right now I am a few miles from my bike. Maybe one of you has done the necessary measurements before?

I'm running a hybrid engine (CB 650 top end on CB 550 case).

[Jim F]

Mine is static timed at 34 Degrees
but the electronics control the timing of when the bike is being cranked (Start timing)
and how long it takes to ramp back to the set static time
What kind of system do you have?

Jim

[Oette]

Hey,

Manufacturer is Ignitech from Czech Republic.
I've read about 37° maximum advance, tested on a dyno as best results for a nearly stock engine.

[Retro Rocket]

Oette, I checked out their site , can you tell us more about these ignitions and why you chose it...? I see they custom build ignitions to user specifications, thats good...

[Oette]

Hi folks,

today i got my brand new Ignitech programmable Ignition "Sparker TCIP4". It's an electronic ignition useable for 2 to 6 cylinder bikes. It has some really nice functions and adjustments.

The manufacturer

Ignitech s.r.o
http://ignitech.cz/en/kontakt

They also have rectifiers, regulators, programmable injections controls and so on (check the link)


My reason for the purchase:

I wanted to get rid of the bouncy mechanical advancer and points.
Though my motor had been tuned and equipped with a primary chain tensioner, its idle is still not the best.
That's because the advancer is actually bouncing and advancing the ignition at idle revolutions.
Moreover, sometimes I got problems with a weak spark on cylinder 4, which is known as an issue with the stock ignitions Honda used in the 70s.

Since another electronic ignition was not an option because the most would keep the mechanical advancer, I am about to install the whole system with a fixed advancer and have the timing adjusted by software.

Some of the features of the Ignitech ignition are

-elimination of mechanical advancer
-programmable timing-charts
-programmable rev-limiter
-output for gear-switch indicator
-output for digital Tachometers
-output for fuel-pump control (relais-based)
-output for servo-controls

...and so on

Let's get to the real deal now.

The ignition arrived with everything needed to get it running on an old CB 550. The current software release is provided by a CD



For the pick-up system there is a laser-cutted pulse rotor out of steel (to be mounted on crankshaft)



The CDI's connectors are embedded in resin, so its totally waterproof and well fabricated



The new "contact-breakers" in disguise as magnetic pick-ups



So far, it is not a plug&play system, since you need to make a new layout for the ignition baseplate. Ignitech offers plug&play solutions for most modern bikes, which are already using a CDI.

I made a CAD template to transfer the marks for the different bores to a GRP plate. It's easy to handle, resists the temperatures and vibration and: I have no metal here to use right now




Since the 2 pickups always cover at least one of the mounting screws, I'll have to use some countersunk bolts.



That's the original ignition baseplate stripped on the template



More will follow....

[dusterdude]

Interesting

[MRieck]

The 2 magnetic pick ups fit under the stock points cover? They look tall.

[FunJimmy]

Another interesting setup.
What power draw does this system pull?

[Oette]

Sorry, no infos on the power draw...

But some progress here:

I've made the GRP plate



and modified a wobbly old advancer to fit the setup. Since I dont need them anymore I removed the arms.



With everything mounted I saw that the gap between the rotor and the pick-ups was 4mm off. First I thought to turn some spacers on my lathe but went with simple washers (who will see what's under the ignition cover? )



The adjusted setup



So far, the whole setup does not fit under a CB 550's chrome ignition cover. My choice here is the CB 650 ignition cover, that (as I personally think) is more beautiful (once it's blasted clean  ). The setup fits under that cover.



Next step was to think about the optimal position for the CDI. Turning the coils' mounting brackets gave me an extra of 5mm above the coils so I could fit the CDI there. Probably the best place as short connections will produce better sparks. The CDI was mounted by 2 strong zipties.



I took my degree wheel and set the base advance to 10° and made a mark on the rotor to quick adjust it later, if I would have to uninstall it for some reason.
Yes, I lost the nut for turning the crank, but there is still the nut on the generator's side.



To protect the junction from dirt and water I fitted some bicycle tire tube. That will be installed on the serial interface once programming is done, too.



Old meets new. It's a strange view to have a late 70's bike connected to a computer for programming 



As already said, base advance is 10° maxing out through 30° at 2500rpm to 36°@3000.

I started the bike with one kick only and wondered, that she ran a little rich. I adjusted the carbs a little bit for idle but there is still room for more optimization. Must be because of the more reliable, timed and more intense sparks that unit is generating.

Finally, thats a short video of a first impression concerning throttle response. I made a short test ride but it soon began to rain so I headed back (not in the mood to clean the whole bike...). She ran really well and throttle response is great! Even the programmed limiter at 10800 rpm kicks in.

Here's the vid:

[FunJimmy]

Nice progress. Looking forward to a post ride report.