Ignition System Went Out.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,142
Likes: 2,971
From: WACO
Ignition System Went Out.
Luckily only a few miles from the homestead. Was like it ran out of fuel. Let it it sit for a few minutes and it fired up. Went a couple more miles and did it again. Called son and he came with truck and trailer and got it home. After some checking and tracing things out. The Crane Hi4 module had took a crap. Replaced it with a Dyna-S setup. A stand alone ignition system that does not depend on the ECM module. That utilizes the stock fly weight advance and the Dyna-S ignition module pickup and dual fire coil. If anyone is contemplating about the Dyna-S ignition I do recommend it. I can just touch the starter button and. BOOM. It lights off. As with the Crane Hi4 it would turn over a few times before it would fire. Maybe because it was going out. IDK. But. The Dyna-S is so basic and simple. Like me.
Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,094
Likes: 51,354
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Crane has 2 dead rev's hard programed in where the Dyna S acts just like points, on a kick start bike the Dyna S is the only aftermarket ignition I'll use. Trick is get a good advance unit. Lube it a couple times a season it'll last years.
https://americanprimemfginc.com/prod...-advance-unit/
https://americanprimemfginc.com/prod...-advance-unit/
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 3,332
Likes: 1,279
From: Ky
Crane has 2 dead rev's hard programed in where the Dyna S acts just like points, on a kick start bike the Dyna S is the only aftermarket ignition I'll use. Trick is get a good advance unit. Lube it a couple times a season it'll last years.
https://americanprimemfginc.com/prod...-advance-unit/
https://americanprimemfginc.com/prod...-advance-unit/
electronic unit that needs lubed? Really? I have several Ultima ignitions on my shovels. E only and kick only. Love them, but digressing back to weights and springs?
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 5,048
Likes: 990
first, sweet machine!!!
electronic ign can vary greatly. some fire both cyl till it can determine which is which. i use the compu-fire system and it has kicked butt since 1975 and has nearly 200k miles on it and it uses the mechanical adv system. the first one lasted close to 78k miles and i replaces it with a bearing type stainless unit. you will know when it is going out because it can cause idle rpm issues, hard starts and kick backs. if you have a manual foot, could be a trip to the moon. i had an old pan that did that when i forgot to use the left grip to retard, carried the scar for decades.
electronic ign can vary greatly. some fire both cyl till it can determine which is which. i use the compu-fire system and it has kicked butt since 1975 and has nearly 200k miles on it and it uses the mechanical adv system. the first one lasted close to 78k miles and i replaces it with a bearing type stainless unit. you will know when it is going out because it can cause idle rpm issues, hard starts and kick backs. if you have a manual foot, could be a trip to the moon. i had an old pan that did that when i forgot to use the left grip to retard, carried the scar for decades.
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 3,849
Likes: 3,400
From: Arizona
I was lucky and mine died immediately due to heat. At least I wasn't stranded a 1000 miles from home. They are garbage.
Road Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1,054
Likes: 441
From: Tejas
Griz
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Club Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 66,094
Likes: 51,354
From: Niles Canyon Ca.
Why I still run the mechanical advance with a Dyna S, keep a points plate in the tool bag, a couple wires rerouted and I'm on the road again in 20 minutes or so.
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Grand HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 3,849
Likes: 3,400
From: Arizona
That is a good idea. As the world goes to **** simple primitive things make more sense. My business was down for over two weeks trying to get a part from Germany in the middle of the virus chaos. No fancy machine makes much sense if you can't get it to run. I was a kid working on my junk rides in the 80s. I can deal with points.
Road Master
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 1,239
Likes: 1,171
From: St. Catharines, Ontario
I also keep a coil handy. I've only been stranded once by my shovel, original coil failed. (35 years, not too bad a lifetime considering the heat and vibration) Was not far from home , got the OL to tow it with a rope, me riding it. Cop observed us and just shook his head.