Topic: Maxi-Dwell Ignition for Honda 4

[754]

Anyone running one of these??

I have had one for years, seems to work pretty good. Saw one on ebay this year, NOS  went for pretty good bucks.

Basically it is an Aluminum anodized point plate with 2 sets of GM points on it and the cool part.. built in timing light.. which works well if it is a bit dark.

One thing I did not like is it did not have a subplate on the second set of points, you actually adjust the gap to set them.

 any thoughts??

[Terry in Australia]

I've seen them on Ebay over the years, there was a seller who must have had heaps of them, he had them on Ebay for quite a while? I've asked Hondaman if he could incorporate a timing light into his ignition amplifiers, I reckon that'd be the ducks guts!

[MRieck]

 Forget that crap. Step into the 90's and get a Dyna 2000.

[754]

I had forgotten about it, it been in my motor since 82, when it was built.. hardly ever looked at it. I just made sure there was grease on the cam before I rode it to Bonneville,  did not even check the sparkplugs before I left.

The switch for the timinglight is very tiny and the solid state condensers are about the size of your fingernail and  about 3/8 thick (that is both stacked together)

We ran points on both bikes that we tookthe guy with the 78 was thinking of putting his Dyna back inbut ran out of time, We took a couple stock point plates along for insurance.

I think I will try using a magneto next year..

[doobiebro]

I have one on my 1977 750K.  It was on the machine when I bought it in 1979.  I am very happy with it.  It is easy to set the gap, dwell and timing.  I like the fact that the GM points are heavy duty and should last a very long time.  I also like that you can get the GM points and condenser at any auto parts store and do not have to try to locate a Honda dealership for the replacement parts.  However, at today's prices for the Maxi-Dwell one might do better by spending a few extra dollars on an electronic ignition like the Dyna.  Yet, if the electronic ignition dies on the road you are stuck until you can get a replacement, but with the Maxi-Dwell you simply walk into your nearest auto parts store for the replacement parts and you can fix it on the side of the road.

[754]

That is part of why i bought it, but I think it had rivets when new and you have to remove them to change points. i think they used Vette points with a bit heavier spring..

I think modern ignitions are great, but the great feeling wont help fix your bike in Shoshone Idaho, it would take a while to get parts.. when I went down there in Sept, I had no cell, no credit card... how am I going to fix a Dyna or other electrinic down there... so I packed a spare point plate..

A lot of H-D rider took out electronic and put in points for the same reason..

[TwoTired]

Forget that crap. Step into the 90's and get a Dyna 2000.

Ditto.
 Or at least step into the 80's with a Dyna S.
 Set it and forget it.
 DG

Why not step up to current times and replace the whole bike with new technology?   

[BobbyR]

Forget that crap. Step into the 90's and get a Dyna 2000.

Ditto.
 Or at least step into the 80's with a Dyna S.
 Set it and forget it.
 DG

Geeze, I just installed one this year. I guess I am destined to always be 20 years behind the times.

[754]

Yeah or just drive your car so you dont get wet..!!

 I took no roadrides for about 19 yrs till Aug this year.. And I was asked dozens of times by guys with new bikes what I would get if I could get new and I always had trouble answering. Mainly cuz I dont think much about newer bikes. Now these people do stuff like Truck their Ducati to  Laguna ..200 or 1300 miles 1 way.. then buy a ST 4 to go touring and put on 6 hrs a day.. and I used to tell them I would do major miles on a 750, and they said that was then, yiu couldnt do it now..

So anyway I decided to go on a ride to Bonneville (2000mi round trip), on a tired 836cc with no shocks on the back, no cellphone/credit card, no speedo, no tach, no aircleaners, no proper raingear.. just go for a ride..

And people said.. what if it breaks.. and I said, well..I know how to fix it, and if  I cant, I will have to leave it somewhere.

And I did ride down there  (alone),left at 5 pm and was in Southern Idaho  buy dark the next night,after 28 hrs.. 780 miles.. and I made it back..

 And I had lots of time to think.......................................

...................................................................................

...........................................................................


 And I came to a conclusion..

 That maybe I didnt really need a new bike.. a good running 836cc would still do the job..

 Might be why I still have this bike 31 years after I bought it..

[MRieck]

Forget that crap. Step into the 90's and get a Dyna 2000.

Ditto.
 Or at least step into the 80's with a Dyna S.
 Set it and forget it.
 DG

Why not step up to current times and replace the whole bike with new technology?   

You don't have to replace the bike...buy a new one and get a collection going. As far as reliability.....I have seen very, very, very few lectronic ignitions fail. This is especially true of OEM units.

[MRieck]

Forget that crap. Step into the 90's and get a Dyna 2000.

Ditto.
 Or at least step into the 80's with a Dyna S.
 Set it and forget it.
 DG

Geeze, I just installed one this year. I guess I am destined to always be 20 years behind the times.

My wife would say the same thing about my maturity sometimes.

[754]

Its true they do not fail that often.. some H-D ones were prone to troubles.But there is a different feeling if yiu know you can fix what you got..

 I have noticed this about some newer bike riders.. the more complex your bike is (think Ducati 1098) and the farther and fewer apart dealers are .... the less likely they are to go on long road rides..

 I have to say though I ran into a mechanic that used to work next door to me and after a 20 year absence bought a 1098.. and rode to Laguna... thought that was great... till I asked him what a valve adj costs... he said about 2K...

[eldar]

Well most of us still have the point plate we took off when we replaced it with the S or 2000. Now I dont know about the 200 but if my s went out, I could throw my points back on easy. So if there is a question, I just pack my plate and take it with. problem solved.

[MRieck]

Well most of us still have the point plate we took off when we replaced it with the S or 2000. Now I dont know about the 200 but if my s went out, I could throw my points back on easy. So if there is a question, I just pack my plate and take it with. problem solved.

Yep. I did that on a ride down Skyline Drive etc........... in 1980.

[Terry in Australia]

Well if you haven't guessed by now, I love "period" accessories on my bikes like oil coolers, oil pressure guages, fork braces, steering dampers, after-market shocks, rims, tapered roller steering head bearings, different bars, seats, pipes, carbs, etc etc, not to mention engine mods.

I don't necessarily need to have the ultimate ignition system available, I just like stuff like this. If anyone can point me in the direction of one of these "period" electronic ignitions, I'd like one for my collection? Cheers, Terry.    

[HondaMan]

I've seen them on Ebay over the years, there was a seller who must have had heaps of them, he had them on Ebay for quite a while? I've asked Hondaman if he could incorporate a timing light into his ignition amplifiers, I reckon that'd be the ducks guts!

Yep, it's coming to a Hondman ignition near you, real soon! Bright, blue LED built-in light(s).

I think modern ignitions are great, but the great feeling wont help fix your bike in Shoshone Idaho, it would take a while to get parts.. when I went down there in Sept, I had no cell, no credit card... how am I going to fix a Dyna or other electrinic down there... so I packed a spare point plate..

I was riding with a friend who had installed the Dyna S one fine, hot Western day, when it quit. I had a spare points plate with me, saved his day....and the result was the ignition "amps" I make now. If you manage to kill it, the swap-back to points takes nearly 5 minutes.   

[Terry in Australia]

I've seen them on Ebay over the years, there was a seller who must have had heaps of them, he had them on Ebay for quite a while? I've asked Hondaman if he could incorporate a timing light into his ignition amplifiers, I reckon that'd be the ducks guts!

Yep, it's coming to a Hondman ignition near you, real soon! Bright, blue LED built-in light(s).

I want it Bad, HM!

[754]

I forgot to mention,
 I ran my Maxi-dwell for a lot of years with the stock coils and wires, and had no troubles at high rpms with higher compression.

I ran Andrews coils way back but thanks to an error on the K2 wiring diagram ion a Clymer maual, I melted one of them and some stock coils....