new improved ignition ?
Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,039
Likes: 11
From: Northern Ontario
new improved ignition ?
As I've been slowly reviving the old girl as cash permits, last upgrades to be installed are the new Ultima 1.4kw Chrome Starter and CYCLE ELEC 38 AMP CHARGING SYSTEM all from good advice from the forum.
So hears what I'm thinking bike was running descent last season but I'm wandering what a new improved over the stock oem igniton would do for my bike?
Keep in mind the motor was stock rebuilt from bottom up so its no high compression power horse.
I can't say that I understand the term remapping an ignition but I'm willing to learn if it'll help. I;ve read many times how you can adjust the rev limit to 6000 rpm but makes me wander if this is practical as I never go above 4500 rpm or so ever.
Ignitions that come to mind are I'm thinking the HQ-6000 programable , Crane or Dynatek's models and to tell you the truth like I said I don't understand squat about these and other ignitions although I have had great success with head quarters products and I put alot of trust into the guidance that was given from them.
What are there benefits or the problems that can be had adjusting each to a stock motor.
Please help me out here guys.
So hears what I'm thinking bike was running descent last season but I'm wandering what a new improved over the stock oem igniton would do for my bike?
Keep in mind the motor was stock rebuilt from bottom up so its no high compression power horse.
I can't say that I understand the term remapping an ignition but I'm willing to learn if it'll help. I;ve read many times how you can adjust the rev limit to 6000 rpm but makes me wander if this is practical as I never go above 4500 rpm or so ever.
Ignitions that come to mind are I'm thinking the HQ-6000 programable , Crane or Dynatek's models and to tell you the truth like I said I don't understand squat about these and other ignitions although I have had great success with head quarters products and I put alot of trust into the guidance that was given from them.
What are there benefits or the problems that can be had adjusting each to a stock motor.
Please help me out here guys.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,468
Likes: 12
From: Bluffton, South Carolina
If your present ignition is functioning properly and the advance curve is close for the engines needs then an ignition change wont do much other than raise the rev limit. If the ignition isn't doing it's job or the curve is off then an ignition will help. An ignition will not give you power unless the one it replaces is not set up properly.
If you are planning future mods and think that you will require an ignition in the future and have the extra funds then it shouldn't hurt.
If you are planning future mods and think that you will require an ignition in the future and have the extra funds then it shouldn't hurt.
Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,039
Likes: 11
From: Northern Ontario
If your present ignition is functioning properly and the advance curve is close for the engines needs then an ignition change wont do much other than raise the rev limit. If the ignition isn't doing it's job or the curve is off then an ignition will help. An ignition will not give you power unless the one it replaces is not set up properly.
If you are planning future mods and think that you will require an ignition in the future and have the extra funds then it shouldn't hurt.
If you are planning future mods and think that you will require an ignition in the future and have the extra funds then it shouldn't hurt.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,468
Likes: 12
From: Bluffton, South Carolina
The stock ignition is somewhat lacking in the curve and rev limit department. If you are still thinking about changing it, you need to ask yourself this question and answer it honestly. "Am I going to do more work sooner or later. If the answer is later then all you reallyneed is a "Puking Chicken" (Screaming Eagle) module, which can be purchased on E-Bay for a pittance. However if you think you will be dooing more work then something like the Ultima programable module that is built by Dyna is probably your best bet for the money. Hope this helps.
Club Member
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 45,429
Likes: 2,897
From: Bedford UK
I don't know how my International spec 1990 FLHS ignition system might differ from your US spec, but there is a good reason to consider changing your module. I used a Crane on mine. When stock, these bikes have various features to reduce exhaust emissions, also reduce noise output. These include an airbox that also functions as an induction muffler, as well as quiet exhaust mufflers. These are easily reversed! My ignition module had an advance 'curve' that held full retard until a certain rpm, to help reduce noise. Changing to a conventional module gave it a traditional advance curve and (its a long time ago) improved rideability up to around 2k rpm.
John is close to these things and might know if such a feature afflicted US spec bikes like yours.
Mine also had a 61T rear pulley, instead of the US stock 72T (which mine now has), so I know our bikes had to meet tighter regulations than yours around that time.
John is close to these things and might know if such a feature afflicted US spec bikes like yours.
Mine also had a 61T rear pulley, instead of the US stock 72T (which mine now has), so I know our bikes had to meet tighter regulations than yours around that time.
Last edited by grbrown; Dec 14, 2010 at 07:08 AM. Reason: Expanded.
Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,039
Likes: 11
From: Northern Ontario
Thanks John and Graham. I seen the replies to this thread this morning and thought this is solid advice and I better sleep on it before replying.
So the motor is completely rebuilt including the upgraded cam for a bit of performance boost, so no I can't see any changes coming to the mill any time soon. John your reply "The stock ignition is somewhat lacking in the curve and rev limit department" is very interesting and was most of what I had to think about because I can't say I fully understand it and was hoping it would come to me magically , but... what exactley does it mean in layman's terms? Don't want to make inexperienced assumptions.
Graham I must admit I like the idea of an ignition that may reverse any government reductions, if that makes scence? I kind of understand the retard setup where as the ignition I think has the most get up and go when its fully advanced but correct me if I'm wrong the motor would run hot too hot if always running fully advanced.
Graham back in the days of riding the 76 iron to reduce rpm's on the hiway I changed the front sprocket to a bigger sprocket but can't say I've heard much on upping the rear sprocket, I would think this would add to the RPM\s on the hi-speeds.
By the way Graham I'm in Canada but I think the US and Canadian bikes are for the most part regulated the same.
So the motor is completely rebuilt including the upgraded cam for a bit of performance boost, so no I can't see any changes coming to the mill any time soon. John your reply "The stock ignition is somewhat lacking in the curve and rev limit department" is very interesting and was most of what I had to think about because I can't say I fully understand it and was hoping it would come to me magically , but... what exactley does it mean in layman's terms? Don't want to make inexperienced assumptions.
Graham I must admit I like the idea of an ignition that may reverse any government reductions, if that makes scence? I kind of understand the retard setup where as the ignition I think has the most get up and go when its fully advanced but correct me if I'm wrong the motor would run hot too hot if always running fully advanced.
Graham back in the days of riding the 76 iron to reduce rpm's on the hiway I changed the front sprocket to a bigger sprocket but can't say I've heard much on upping the rear sprocket, I would think this would add to the RPM\s on the hi-speeds.
By the way Graham I'm in Canada but I think the US and Canadian bikes are for the most part regulated the same.
Elite HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,468
Likes: 12
From: Bluffton, South Carolina
Yes the stock US has emmissions built in, but in a stock motor the rev-limiter increase is probably felt as much as the change in advance of the street model module. The "race" module is different, it has an extreme advance curve and about an 8,000 RPM limit if I remember correctly. The export module has some severe restrictions for emissions. There is also a "Police" module that some have used on stock engines with air cleaner and exhaust mods that they say have worked well.
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Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,706
Likes: 14
From: Near Frankenmuth, MI
I just upgrade my ignition system on my '86 FLTC to a crane hi4e I got from John.
You can check out my experience with it in the link under my signature.
You can check out my experience with it in the link under my signature.
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Thread Starter
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Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 3,039
Likes: 11
From: Northern Ontario
or at least I got a better understanding.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,706
Likes: 14
From: Near Frankenmuth, MI