Fitting a Postie CDI to an XL350

[crossedup2]

A friend has an XL350 with ongoing electrical problems. The spark is erratic at the best of times. Instead of buying stator coils etc he was hoping to replace the old system with something much more reliable. A bit of a search on the net and through previous posts says that a CDI unit out of a Postie bike is the fix so what and how is it fitted. None of the information goes into the How.

Any information would really be appreicated as he is trying to have it going (reliably) for the CRC in two weeks.

Thanks in advance.

Peter B

[OverTheHill]

just a thought for possibly an easy fix. If the old XL is points ignition--just get a 12 volt sealed battery from 'J Cars' or somewhere, fit any old 12 volt coil plus condenser & run it total loss for the day. Yamaha 12v coils are good, small & tidy etc. I charge a battery [like what i'm describing] using a power adapter thingy from an old printer/scanner--has 14volts dc output & works great. not using this on a bike but on something else but, [movie camera] but anyway. Good Luck.

[VMX247]

some info in this thread crossedup2 Peter B
http://forum.ozvmx.com/index.php?topic=6503.75

[FourstrokeForever]

PVL also make an ignition for the early XL's now. They cost around AUS$500 but fit up beautifully and work a treat.

[Slakewell]

Yes it can be done but finding a postie ignition was harder than I thought.

[firko]

I did it myself but because it was back in 1992 I can't remember the whole process involved. I do remember that it was pretty simple and that I may have had to space the points cover out a smidge to make room.

[matcho mick]

Yes it can be done but finding a postie ignition was harder than I thought.

why does it have to be postie,the same basic setups found on XL185/200,small trike derivitives,later XL's use crank mounted trigger,so thats different resistance value ,but the others use camshaft location,i'm using 185 trike ignition trigger,6 pin black box,not sure what it's from,rewound single generating coil,flywheel rotor from CB125,(coz it only has to charge the capacitor in the box),ok it's not in my honda,but the  setups the same,too easy,biggest "bummer" is rewinding XL350 stator to charging coil status,(i can't do that myself  )  

[bazza]

ONLY USE GENUINE HONDA POINTS for some reason hassle free/after market give trouble
xl185 or postie bike have been used

[cloggy]

 Yeh I've heard that Honda OEM points work fine and aftermarket parts don't too. As for the charging circuit I got it done in the UK for a 185  for £40  within 2 days at
 http://www.westcountrywindings.co.uk/services.htm
only to find that my XL185 CDI unit was also faulty. Apparently welding in situ sends a voltage spike through the gubbins weakening it. Not that I've done this but it's definately a bodged bike.

[matcho mick]

honda points are a work of art!,they actually have a "brassish" bush on the movement arm,& it's even knurled to maximise grip ffs!,aftermarket just flog out on the pivot pin quicker,setting up the dreaded misfire,leading heels the main problem i guess,thats why the trailing points in twins last twice as long,