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Common-motor "shockwave" ignition

icandothat

icandothat

Veteran Member
Joined
Sep 29, 2023
Total Posts
221
Total likes
134
Location
California
I bought one of these a while ago, the installation seemed simple enough. Upon actually trying to time this however, it's fiddly as hell. Has anyone else ever used one and had success?
 
They had a fair amount of trouble with their early release of that product. They're still selling them (whether that actually means anything or not) so one could assume they're been updated/improved. Here are the only two other threads with any discussion about it.

Replacing points with electronic ignition system

Considering replacing my points on my 1975 Honda CB 360t with an electric ignition system. Any advice? Not sure I'll get any response but thought I'd give it a shot
www.vintagehondatwins.com www.vintagehondatwins.com

"Shockwave" Electronic Ignition

Is there anyone who has experience with installing the Shockwave Electronic Ignition from common-motor? Would you recommend it? And, does it genuinely enhance the reliability of the ignition system? TIA!
www.vintagehondatwins.com www.vintagehondatwins.com
 
ancientdad said:
They had a fair amount of trouble with their early release of that product. They're still selling them (whether that actually means anything or not) so one could assume they're been updated/improved. Here are the only two other threads with any discussion about it.

Replacing points with electronic ignition system

Considering replacing my points on my 1975 Honda CB 360t with an electric ignition system. Any advice? Not sure I'll get any response but thought I'd give it a shot
www.vintagehondatwins.com www.vintagehondatwins.com

"Shockwave" Electronic Ignition

Is there anyone who has experience with installing the Shockwave Electronic Ignition from common-motor? Would you recommend it? And, does it genuinely enhance the reliability of the ignition system? TIA!
www.vintagehondatwins.com www.vintagehondatwins.com
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do you recall what trouble you had? I got the left side timed pretty easily but the right side is fiddly as hell, I can't seem to make head nor tails of it. I finally just turned the engine to the "F" mark and adjust the sensor position by hand till it was just at the tipping point. That finally got it pretty close. I'm going to write them today, see if I can get a phone consult.
 
Not actually answering your question but I put a Charlie’s place EI on my CL450 and it was very easy to install and time. The engine started almost immediately. I have some top end issues to sort before I can give it an on road review.
 
icandothat said:
do you recall what trouble you had? I got the left side timed pretty easily but the right side is fiddly as hell, I can't seem to make head nor tails of it. I finally just turned the engine to the "F" mark and adjust the sensor position by hand till it was just at the tipping point. That finally got it pretty close. I'm going to write them today, see if I can get a phone consult.
Click to expand...
I didn't personally have the trouble, I would never buy anything from them for a multitude of reasons, but I was relating the problems others have mentioned which in some cases are similar to what you're experiencing. Good luck with their support.
 
I have installed the Shockwave on 2 of my 350's. A little fiddly to get set up, but both bikes start easier/quicker than they did with the original points ignition. Run nicer too, no sputter or hesitation.

I went this route when I got tired of the crushing disappointment of trying to source a good set of points.

No regrets.
 
I think they are all made by Tytronic so I just buy from them directly on ebay.

EDIT: Oops, the shockwave is not just a copy, like some, but different. Sorry.
 
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Twin Town said:
I have installed the Shockwave on 2 of my 350's. A little fiddly to get set up, but both bikes start easier/quicker than they did with the original points ignition. Run nicer too, no sputter or hesitation.

I went this route when I got tired of the crushing disappointment of trying to source a good set of points.

No regrets.
Click to expand...
Right on. I'm trying again today. Thanks for the feedback.
 
While I have no input on the Shockwave, I've bought a few things from Common Motor and their customer service has, in my experience, been quite helpful and replied shockingly quickly. I hope they help you get it sorted out!
 
ancientdad said:
I hope you get it sorted with their help, you should be able to get your money's worth.
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I think I got it. You're supposed to blue loctite it all in place but there was no way I was going to do that before I test it first. I finally got it but man, it is fiddly has hell. If it never goofs up in all the time I have this bike, I'll be good. If not? It's not worth it.
 
Okay this thing starts and runs great now, revs to red line. BUT IT'S SO LOUD I HAVE TO YELL.

Anyone got an idea to temporarily quiet the exhaust until I can buy better mufflers? See the video above for the one's I've got on it now.
Oh, and they're properly installed now, there duct taped on when I was trying to get it started.
 
Sounds like they could be missing baffles, but those slip on shortys are loud - I've got a pair of brand new ones on my CX and *yep* they're quieter with your helmet on. Neighbors aren't huge fans, but that's mutual.
 
EzPete said:
Neighbors aren't huge fans, but that's mutual.
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LOL! Yeah, I like my neighbors and want to keep it that way. Today I thought I'd buy some of those DB Killers and put them in there. TURNS OUT THAT'S WHAT'S IN THERE!!! Those things are BS. I don't know what they sound like w/o them but right now they're loud as hell. I had a crazy idea of making partial saw cuts in the DB Killer, inserting a coin sized slug and tack welding it. Sort of creating baffles.
 
ballbearian said:
Stainless potscrubbers?
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Might be hard to do with shorties though, not much room in the front end of them. I've only used them once and yeah, they came off after less than a week. And that was when I was 17. May as well just pull them off completely, full straight pipes (like mine) aren't much different.
 
Sorry, I can't recommend any mufflers, but why do I see blue sparks arcing near the front of the engine in your video? It almost looks like a blue natural gas flame. What is that?
 
fxray said:
Sorry, I can't recommend any mufflers, but why do I see blue sparks arcing near the front of the engine in your video? It almost looks like a blue natural gas flame. What is that?
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That's the LEDs on the CMC pickups, a cute little light show for those under the tank.
 
^^^Thanks. I figured it had to be something like that, but I was totally unaware of such a system.
 
Those LED's are used for setting the static timing of the pick up coils. I thought about covering them with tape or something, but I can't see them when riding, so I don't care.
 
That would be quite an attention getter when you are sitting at a stop light at night. You'd be one-up on the people who add neon under their bikes. ;)
 
Also, the CB360 (and 350) run best with mufflers that extend past the rear axle. The shorties will cause those flat spots that are common. Same with intakes. Stock CV Carbs like the stock airbox. I went through the little cone filters, short foam socks, long foam socks, and finally scrounged around the internet and restored my stock airbox. Long exhaust and stock airbox with stock carburetors will give the best results. Ask CrazyPJ (A member here) about this. He has done extensive tuning on the CB360 and knows what works. His expeertise confirmed what I had learned the hard way.
 
I've always heard, and believed that stock is probably best. My stock carbs are a big jank but I could rebuild them. I don't like that goofy diaphragm design. I've got a pair of Mikuni VM30's on there right now. If I hate them, I can switch. I don't plan on keeping this bike anyway. Whoever buys it will get all the parts.
 
ancientdad said:
Yeah, he's done that on at least one or two of his bikes. They don't last forever but they do tone things down.
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Actually seems to last pretty good but it's all trial and error, DIY and depends on whatever mufflers he is using. The scrubbers are cheap though.
The additional backpressure really helped, in my case.
 
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