Topic: CB550 Cafe Interceptor - Gentleman's Roadster

[brandEn]

I want some!

[754]

Nice work Jimmy...

[FunJimmy]

Anodized and assembled!

[FunJimmy]

You may recall Paul from C5 Ignitions pedaling his PowerArc multi-spark ignitions with optical trigger technology a couple of months ago.
Unfortunately that thread and heaps of technical information was removed but not before I read it and decided to give C5 Ignitions a try.
The premise is optical trigger accuracy, electronic advance with state of the art multi-spark firing from idle all the way to redline!
Learn more here: http://www.c5ignitions.com/c5-technology.html

The kit comes complete with PowerArc ignition module, two PowerArc section bobbin coils with bike specific mounts and spark plug wires.
Can't wait to push the trigger.

[brandEn]

I have spent more than a few minutes looking at those trying to figure out how you did that with your tooling setup. You are super creative. I still want a little lathe like yours so I can make stuff like that. Inspiration for sure.

As for the ignition, I am eagerly awaiting a review. I almost pulled the trigger on one of those from Cycle X years ago when I first built TAO but didn't just because nobody else was running them. Why did the thread get deleted?

[FunJimmy]

I have spent more than a few minutes looking at those trying to figure out how you did that with your tooling setup. You are super creative. I still want a little lathe like yours so I can make stuff like that. Inspiration for sure.

Thanks Branden. It took me a awhile to figure out how to do them too. It's finicky but that makes it more rewarding too. Grizzly Tools has some good deals on lathe/milling combos. Check them out.

I'm not exactly sure why the C5 ignition thread was pulled down. It may have been posted in the classified section and expired or maybe a site sponsor complained. Either way it was great technical info lost forever. :-(

I was chatting with Paul last night and interestingly, you can turn on the ignition and have the run switch on but the coils won't power up until the optical trigger starts to rotate. No worries about power drain and coil heat. How cool is that?

[FunJimmy]

How cool would it be to have a stock appearing CB without battery problems? Ever!

Nice to see some modern electronics being offered up to the old school crowd.
This stator kit is interesting.

[Blackfin5]

Kick start only if no battery?  Or may a battery be incorporated into its design, Cal?  Someone is buying them if out of stock.

[Retro Rocket]

There's a forum member making modern charging systems for our bikes...

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,117735.0.html

[FunJimmy]

There's a forum member making modern charging systems for our bikes...

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,117735.0.html

Thanks for the heads up Mick.
Unfortunately these systems are not relevant to CB550's
Perhaps you could move this post to the general SOHC forum so all can benefit.

Thanks
FJ

[Retro Rocket]

There's a forum member making modern charging systems for our bikes...

http://forums.sohc4.net/index.php/topic,117735.0.html

Thanks for the heads up Mick.
Unfortunately these systems are not relevant to CB550's
Perhaps you could move this post to the general SOHC forum so all can benefit.

Thanks
FJ

Jim, I read somewhere he will make charging systems for the 500/550, he just needs about six orders before going ahead...    Start reading around page 4...

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

I don't know how I missed that Anders thread.  I think I'll be getting in on that!

[scottly]

Jimmy, have you measured the primary and secondary resistances of the Power Arc coils?

[FunJimmy]

Jimmy, have you measured the primary and secondary resistances of the Power Arc coils?

No I haven't Scottly. I don't even own a digital ohm meter.
Come on up and measure away. Beer's on me. 

[brandEn]

You don't own one? How is that possible. Next time your in the states. Harbor Freight. $5

[scottly]

Jimmy, have you measured the primary and secondary resistances of the Power Arc coils?

No I haven't Scottly. I don't even own a digital ohm meter.
Come on up and measure away. Beer's on me. 

As much as the thought of free beer appeals to me, the cheaper and easier option for both of us would be for me to mail you a meter.

[FunJimmy]

Jimmy, have you measured the primary and secondary resistances of the Power Arc coils?

No I haven't Scottly. I don't even own a digital ohm meter.
Come on up and measure away. Beer's on me. 

As much as the thought of free beer appeals to me, the cheaper and easier option for both of us would be for me to mail you a meter.

Now what fun would that be. I'll see if I can borrow one locally.

[FunJimmy]

As much as the thought of free beer appeals to me, the cheaper and easier option for both of us would be for me to mail you a meter.

Scotty,

Rather than drive across town to PU a digital ohm meter from my buddy, I chose to ask C5 the question about primary coil resistance. This was the reply.

Some of our coils are wound as 1 ohm and resistance is added, while others are wound at 3 ohm. We are not a CDI ignition so we always use the coils with 3 ohms with a 4 amp current draw while the coil is "ON". 

Average draw depends on rpm of course, but is just a bit over 3 amps for the average motorcycle. Our coil saturation starts about 30 degrees and maxes out around 100. If  you are familiar with points or other electronic ignitions that number should raise an eyebrow. It also explains why you can't mix our parts with other manufacturers.

My follow up comment was concern for total power draw.
Reply.

The current draw of our coils is less than factory Honda so you will be fine. The saturation time of our coils is so much faster than a standard coil it remains off for almost the entire time, which means it uses less power. Saturation time is usually called Dwell (degrees of engine rotation that the coil remains on). Dwell is longer on every ignition that I know of, which is also why coils get hot and fail.

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

Jim,

I love those housings.  Please make me a pair!!

Don

[brandEn]

If you make another set video the process!

[SOHC4 Cafe Racer Fan]

They turned out excellent, Jim.  That was smart of you to retain spares.

[bwaller]

 Nice work Jimmy. It's surprising how bright the little buggers are. I'm always harping at my modern bike friends for small little lighting that's hard to see in the daylight. (from the rear especially)

[Syscrush]

I'm glad to go through this thread after being away for a while and see more updates with your usual attention to detail and quality.  Always inspirational.

And speaking of inspiration:

That is so f'n sweet.  Love it.  I am 100% ripping off this technique - I'm sending your pics to my machinist this week.

OK, I don't want to disrupt your thread, but look at what I brought home yesterday.  I don't think it turned out as nice as yours, but it's good for now:

[FunJimmy]

That is so f'n sweet.  Love it.  I am 100% ripping off this technique - I'm sending your pics to my machinist this week.

A man of his word. I love that! Your machinist did a great job. I really like what he did with the dog bone. Looks awesome against the polished swinger.

[FunJimmy]

I'm glad to go through this thread after being away for a while and see more updates with your usual attention to detail and quality.  Always inspirational.

Thanks Syscrush but I'm starting to think I've milked this build for WAY too long. I'm a tinkering kind of guy and love kicking about the shop but at some point you have to admit that the glory days have long passed. Time to think about starting a new build.