Here we go - 1971 CL350 Restore

Thanks for the write-up—it's great, as always. I've used SCI a fair bit, as I'm in Canada, so they are a nice option for me. It's good to know those diaphragms are of high quality. Thanks.
 
Just a quick update, still having some issues.
The new diaphragms are working fine but....I think the new Tytronics ignition is failing/failed.
It seemed to run fine on the lift while I was getting the carbs sorted and a few short runs around the yard but as I worked on the carbs it started running a bit funky, which I blamed on the carbs.
But after a seven mile trip around the neighborhood yesterday it's sputtering, won't idle/rev properly, and is backfiring out the left carb!
Removed the cover and let it run cooler, no change.
(Looking at carbs to fix an ignition problem? No way!) :rolleyes:

Just popped the points back in and it fired right up and revs/idles fine, instant improvement. Hmmm.
Sooo, now I just have to get the timing tweaked back in with the terrible Daiichi points and take it for another ride to verify.
I'll see how that goes and I'll see how Tytronics responds,
Even if Tytronics offer a replacement I'm pretty leery now, if that truly is the problem.
More as this develops.
(Hold the piling on about how much better points are than EI's until I have a final conclusion.) ;) :p
 
Cycleranger said:
Just a quick update, still having some issues.
The new diaphragms are working fine but....I think the new Tytronics ignition is failing/failed.
It seemed to run fine on the lift while I was getting the carbs sorted and a few short runs around the yard but as I worked on the carbs it started running a bit funky, which I blamed on the carbs.
But after a seven mile trip around the neighborhood yesterday it's sputtering, won't idle/rev properly, and is backfiring out the left carb!
Removed the cover and let it run cooler, no change.
(Looking at carbs to fix an ignition problem? No way!) :rolleyes:

Just popped the points back in and it fired right up and revs/idles fine, instant improvement. Hmmm.
Sooo, now I just have to get the timing tweaked back in with the terrible Daiichi points and take it for another ride to verify.
I'll see how that goes and I'll see how Tytronics responds,
Even if Tytronics offer a replacement I'm pretty leery now, if that truly is the problem.
More as this develops.
(Hold the piling on about how much better points are than EI's until I have a final conclusion.) ;) :p
Click to expand...
Not gonna pile on the EI, but I will say that a VHT member previously tried a Tytronic EI a few years ago and reported a similar experience.
 
ancientdad said:
Not gonna pile on the EI, but I will say that a VHT member previously tried a Tytronic EI a few years ago and reported a similar experience.
Click to expand...
Yep, I saw that. They only fail in two ways, right away and a year later. I rolled the dice anyway.
But like I said, still not 100% sure...yet.
 
Cycleranger said:
Yep, I saw that. They only fail in two ways, right away and a year later. I rolled the dice anyway.
But like I said, still not 100% sure...yet.
Click to expand...
I may be in the same boat. I was up and running with points, but super poor quality points. The originals were worn out, so I tried the Tytronic EI Red setup. Ran beautifully for a few rides around the block. I got my idle and sync all sorted, nice and warm. I went for my first ride for about 12 miles and had a great time; however, on my return, the engine stalled at a couple of stop signs. I got home, and all sorts of horrible stuff was happening. There was a slight backfire on the left cylinder, hanging idle, poor idle. Something significant has happened. I haven't had time to dig into anything, but I will be checking for an air leak for the hanging idle and checking the timing. I fear it got good and warm; perhaps the Tytronics has already failed.

Anyway, here is a video of my first ride. Likes are welcomed, as they make me feel good!

Youtube here > First post-restore ride.
 
Yes that sounds very much like my experience. One thing to check is that the points cover isn't touching/pressing on the pickups.
I had to make a thicker gasket to make clearance.
 
Cycleranger said:
Yes that sounds very much like my experience. One thing to check is that the points cover isn't touching/pressing on the pickups.
I had to make a thicker gasket to make clearance.
Click to expand...
Yes, I had read your clearance idea and followed suit when I first installed it. Good idea.

The sudden nature of the shenanigans has me suspicious. If the EI is indeed my issue, I suspect the unit may not be able to deal with the heat.

I'll throw my points in as you did and see what I get. Even though I do not have any quality points, it should run better.
 
Hmm, I might have figured out what's up with the Tytronic. While it's still firing on both cylinders it's no longer "E" advancing, which I previously verified it did do when first installed.
Still investigating and corresponding with the seller.
 
A little update, the seller has agreed to replace the ignition but due to the state of things with international commerce right now getting it to me might be... complicated.
 
My non advance Tytronic is still great on my Dream (single trigger). Perhaps evaluation of their EI should also consider whether it is a simple trigger type or incorporates other stuff for an E advance. Mechanical advance units are crude but pretty dependable so I kept mine as such just to limit frailties of additional electronics.
I use a strobe timing light but don't have points wear to deal with.
I think it's a good idea to use a jumper wire with alligator clips for a backup ground while setting timing so as not to break continuity while ignition is on, which was warned about in my instructions.
 
Cycleranger said:
A little update, the seller has agreed to replace the ignition but due to the state of things with international commerce right now getting it to me might be... complicated.
Click to expand...
That's good news, except for the international complications. Wonder how that will shake out. Too bad you don't know someone in the country of origin who could pick it up and mail it to you personally.
 
ProjectMat said:
Yes, I had read your clearance idea and followed suit when I first installed it. Good idea.

The sudden nature of the shenanigans has me suspicious. If the EI is indeed my issue, I suspect the unit may not be able to deal with the heat.

I'll throw my points in as you did and see what I get. Even though I do not have any quality points, it should run better.
Click to expand...
I'm confident my EI is OK. (the non-advance version). I had an air leak on the right cylinder, caused by my stupidity over-torquing the carb isolator bolts. I had replaced the original JIS bolts with Allen heads and, without thinking, actually warped them. It didn't take much. The aftermarket isolators from 4 into 1 may be weaker than they should be, and restrictive, as they were .75mm in diameter, smaller than the ports. And I confirmed they were slightly bent/warped. I had put them in dry as well. Second time I've used a very thin layer of Honda Bond on the gaskets and proper torque for a 6mm bolt. I do not mean to highjack here as this is well covered in other threads, I believe, and it was mostly a silly error on my part.
 
Cycleranger said:
Yes that sounds very much like my experience. One thing to check is that the points cover isn't touching/pressing on the pickups.
I had to make a thicker gasket to make clearance.
Click to expand...
I had another idea regarding this potential problem, as I'm also suspicious of the Tytonic units overheating. It gets plenty hot in this housing. I measured the cover plate from mounting surface to inner face of the screw hole to 9.5mm. I then fashioned a couple of standoff spacers from 1/4 copper tubing about 12mm. I reamed the tubing a bit to accommodate the outside diameter of the 6mm bolts. This gives me sufficient clearance for the EI and ventilation with about a 2.5mm gap between the cover and the housing. A tiny dab of blue Loctite hopefully holds everything.

Obviously, the EI and advance will be subject to water and dirt, but in my case, this is a fair-weather bike for me. Should I ever misjudge and encounter rain, some onboard electrical tape could be wound around to temporarily seal the gap. The other potential problem may be arcing from the plug boots to the cover. I haven't witnessed anything so far, as my plug boots are new, but it's something to keep an eye on.

Anyway, an experiment to see if the life of Tytonics EI can be more comfortable.



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So after traveling through more countries than should have been necessary the replacement Tytronic unit finally arrived. I installed it today and it works. Hopefully it will last a bit longer than the first one.
I might find out tomorrow.
And while I was waiting for the ignition look what I found.
new_neutral_switch.jpg
Brand spanking new from a far off land down under!
The price was so unbelievably reasonable that even with shipping it was still less than half what I've seen them going for.
The real question is can I get the sprocket cover off without having to remove the pipes again!
 
Cycleranger said:
So after traveling through more countries than should have been necessary the replacement Tytronic unit finally arrived. I installed it today and it works. Hopefully it will last a bit longer than the first one.
I might find out tomorrow.
And while I was waiting for the ignition look what I found.
View attachment 45648
Brand spanking new from a far off land down under!
The price was so unbelievably reasonable that even with shipping it was still less than half what I've seen them going for.
The real question is can I get the sprocket cover off without having to remove the pipes again!
Click to expand...
ok I'll bite, what is that?
 
stl360+450 said:
I kind of missed when your bike came off the lift in December 2024 — it turned out great!

How has the ignition saga unfolded since the last report?
Click to expand...
I was able to get a replacement ignition from Tytronic.
So far it's working ok but I have had much time to do any riding for the last few months.
 
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