CDI-DC input

for those of you that have M.B.S. (multiple bike syndrome) and have the "silver wing" models.
as our sponsors also have supplies for those bikes and they are popular with the "wing" crowd.

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puffy75
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CDI-DC input

#1

Post by puffy75 »

I need some help......again. There are some of you who have a running 1979 CX500D that has the single (metal cover) CDI unit. Can you measure the input (DC) voltage on the black/white tracer wire that comes from the ignition switch to the CDI unit for me please? The more measurements the merrier :-D
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DocRoot
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Re: CDI-DC input

#2

Post by DocRoot »

I have one in the barn which will be about -20 f tomorrow morning, but I will take a measurement if you will post a photo of exactly where you'd like a reading.
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Re: CDI-DC input

#3

Post by puffy75 »

01cf540fbb7cb3b65fcb7be4af4aa4b516d91d33ce.jpg
01cf540fbb7cb3b65fcb7be4af4aa4b516d91d33ce.jpg (77.47 KiB) Viewed 442 times
Thanks Doc. Yours does not look exactly like this but the black/white tracer wire going into the box while connected of course.
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CB77 1965 First Bike
GL1000 1975 "Puffy" damaged in accident
CB750F2 1978
GL1000 1976 "Puffy Too"
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Re: CDI-DC input

#4

Post by DocRoot »

Sorry for the lousy picture. The bike did not start but cranked pretty well for such cold oil. I got maybe 39 - 42 volts as it cranked (it's on the 50vdc range).
IMG_4867.jpg
IMG_4867.jpg (47.5 KiB) Viewed 436 times
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puffy75
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Re: CDI-DC input

#5

Post by puffy75 »

Thanks Doc. Anyone else?
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Re: CDI-DC input

#6

Post by Sidecar Bob »

http://cx500forum.com/forum/technical-h ... 00-uk.html

Join the CX forum. Ask a lot of questions there. Listen to what people like Murray say.
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Re: CDI-DC input

#7

Post by fish »

puffy instead let's talk about your problem.
You got no spark?
usually it is the clutch switch or the sidestand switch or the nutral switch.
all those switches kill spark.
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Re: CDI-DC input

#8

Post by Sidecar Bob »

Unless you have a CX with CDI. Failures of the CDI box and/or the stator coils associated with it are so common that a lot of people are changing to Ignitech modules and non- CDI stators. Enough that there is almost always a group buy in process on the CX forum.
Mr. Honda ('83 GL1100/Dnepr) summer How a motorcycle evolves thread
The Famous Eccles ('84 CX650EI/VeloUral) winter Never Ending Build (CX500forum)
Click: Colour schematics for all GL1000 & GL1100 and GL1200 standard models plus instructions on how to download the full size version
"A guy with two sidecars can't be all bad." - Cookie
Another guy with two sidecars..... Hmmmm... must be something to that....
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Re: CDI-DC input

#9

Post by puffy75 »

No problem guys just looking for more diagnostic info.
May The Fours Be With You.

CB77 1965 First Bike
GL1000 1975 "Puffy" damaged in accident
CB750F2 1978
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Re: CDI-DC input

#10

Post by Missourimike »

Sidecar Bob wrote:Unless you have a CX with CDI. Failures of the CDI box and/or the stator coils associated with it are so common that a lot of people are changing to Ignitech modules and non- CDI stators. Enough that there is almost always a group buy in process on the CX forum.
The stators in the 78-80(maybe 81 also for some) is smaller than the stators for the later models. Too small, so they went bigger and use the same stator in the '83 650. It's easy to check the condition of the stator windings without taking it out. The repair manuals will tell you more than I can. After I replace stators in CXs, I mount a volt meter between the speedo and tach to know exactly what the stator is doing at all times. It's running with a poor battery that usually kills the stators, making them do full time work and overheat.
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Re: CDI-DC input

#11

Post by Sidecar Bob »

Missourimike wrote:The stators in the 78-80(maybe 81 also for some) is smaller than the stators for the later models. Too small, so they went bigger and use the same stator in the '83 650.
Sort of. The stators in early CX500s with CDI have the normal 3 coils that power the charging system (like 'Wings have) with something like 200W output and additional coils that power the CDI. Later The later models with electronic ignition (similar to what the GL1100 has) have just the 3 main coils for the charging system but since the ignition draws its power from the charging system they had to increase the output (rated for 252W). I think when you include the power generated by the CDI coils the total output is about the same
It's easy to check the condition of the stator windings without taking it out. The repair manuals will tell you more than I can.
See the page I linked to at the CX forum for more info.
After I replace stators in CXs, I mount a volt meter between the speedo and tach to know exactly what the stator is doing at all times. It's running with a poor battery that usually kills the stators, making them do full time work and overheat.
Amen to that. If more people looked after their batteries properly less stators would need to be replaced because of burned charging system coils. But from what I have read on the CX forums over the past 15 years more CX500 stators are replaced because of problems with the CDI coils than problems with the charging system coils by a wide margin.
Mr. Honda ('83 GL1100/Dnepr) summer How a motorcycle evolves thread
The Famous Eccles ('84 CX650EI/VeloUral) winter Never Ending Build (CX500forum)
Click: Colour schematics for all GL1000 & GL1100 and GL1200 standard models plus instructions on how to download the full size version
"A guy with two sidecars can't be all bad." - Cookie
Another guy with two sidecars..... Hmmmm... must be something to that....
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I have one of Cobram's group buy....

#12

Post by SkipNChurch »

..CDI replacers bought in our first major group buy. Also bought in second, used two of three bought.

New, only thing it has had done to it is been finger stained. I have kept it knowing another CX500 would need it.

After doing ALL the typical CX owners head banging right before replacing stator, we got group buy going. After replacing with the new unit Lenny the CX fired right up and went right through the RPM ranges with little complaint.
Adjusted carbs, changed plugs, ran it all of summer. Next year, added some petrol to tank, freshed up carbs, charged battery, fired up first button pushing.

*I* will say the replacement units worked wonderfully for me and the CX.

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puffy75
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Re: CDI-DC input

#13

Post by puffy75 »

I am still hoping for some AC voltage pulsar readings from some of your bikes. What a great tool we could develop. Most readings available are for static conditions (non running). An ohms test is a good starting place for diagnostics but a running test will give us so much more. A running AC voltage test will encompassed the entire system. Windings, magnets, grounds and give us some real working specifications. That was the original reason for the post. Maybe I am going about it wrong. If anyone has an idea how to get the info maybe you can help.
May The Fours Be With You.

CB77 1965 First Bike
GL1000 1975 "Puffy" damaged in accident
CB750F2 1978
GL1000 1976 "Puffy Too"
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Sidecar Bob
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Re: CDI-DC input

#14

Post by Sidecar Bob »

Like I said before: Join the CX forum and ask there. If it can be done someone there probably has already done it.
Mr. Honda ('83 GL1100/Dnepr) summer How a motorcycle evolves thread
The Famous Eccles ('84 CX650EI/VeloUral) winter Never Ending Build (CX500forum)
Click: Colour schematics for all GL1000 & GL1100 and GL1200 standard models plus instructions on how to download the full size version
"A guy with two sidecars can't be all bad." - Cookie
Another guy with two sidecars..... Hmmmm... must be something to that....
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