Author Topic: General and specific questions about CDI boxes...  (Read 3525 times)

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Offline andrsn

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General and specific questions about CDI boxes...
« on: November 10, 2011, 12:20:14 PM »
I am rebuilding a couple 1990cb125t that I picked up for super cheap, unfortunately 2 of 3 are missing the CDI boxes and you can't find them for under 150$ each.

So I mapped out my CDI box, and have a few questions. First off, here is a link to the diagram i made for the cb125t ignition system:



This is the CDI box that I would like to try and adapt to work (its from a
cm250):




My 2 main areas of question:
1. How does a CDI advance timing? Is it programmed or does it just speed up as the
alternator spins faster and faster? If it is programmed in I would worry that it
wouldn't work, although most small motorcycles seem to have a pretty standard
advance curve, no?

2. I am assuming that because I have a coil for each cylinder on the 125t, this
ignition system is not a "lost spark" system. Can I convert it to a "lost spark"
system like the cm250 has? Will it hurt an engine to be sparking at the down
stroke of a cylinder if it wasn't designed to. Also, can I just splice the two
125t coils together off the one wire feeding the coils from the cm250 CDI? I only ask because the stock CDI has a wire for each coil, while all other CDI's I seem to find have one wire for one coil that feed 2 spark plugs (I think this indicates a lost spark system).


Any help or advice would rule
1977 Honda CB550f
1979 Yamaha XS650
1990 Honda CB125T
1975 Honda CB400F
1976 Honda CB400F
1977 Honda CB400F

Offline grcamna2

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Re: General and specific questions about CDI boxes...
« Reply #1 on: November 12, 2011, 05:14:30 PM »
Did you find any more info on those models or a service Manual yet ? I like those little bikes & I think you have good energy to tackle those projects.

                                                      ALL the BEST to you !
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts' & 81' CB125S modded to a 'CB200S'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline grcamna2

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  • I love to restore & travel. Keep'em Going Strong !
Re: General and specific questions about CDI boxes...
« Reply #2 on: November 12, 2011, 08:42:16 PM »
andrsn,
      I think if you will,you may try to PM HondaMan & see what his recommendations might be...just be patient because he's Real busy building electronic ignition systems for our vintage sohc4's
75' CB400F/'bunch o' parts' & 81' CB125S modded to a 'CB200S'
  I love the small ones too !
Do your BEST...nobody can take that away from you.

Offline andrsn

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  • Posts: 48
Re: General and specific questions about CDI boxes...
« Reply #3 on: November 13, 2011, 09:31:53 AM »
If anyone has any interest, here is a digram made by John Pardue for my situation. He is a really rad guy, went all out on this one!

1977 Honda CB550f
1979 Yamaha XS650
1990 Honda CB125T
1975 Honda CB400F
1976 Honda CB400F
1977 Honda CB400F