NEED SOME HELP on New CDI SETUP BEING SOLD

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RICH
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I have been getting more than one question on the new CDI setups that are being sold and I HAVE NO INFO on them to pass. Used CDI ignitions in the past on bikes and know that some ground weird and had my share of ones that just fail for no reason. So I got someone asking me questions on the new one HUGH sells and I got no answers to give. So I know there are more than one out there and there is one from overseas that I do know works and I know two people who run it and they like it. Now for me I am old school and took me a long time to jump onto a PAMCO from BOYER which I used for over 20 yrs. Just me I am a old fart that if something works why change. Now I use both and like the out come that both perform well. NOW this is where I can say I am stupid because I don't know anything about this new unit. Have not got one on any bike that has come to me for repairs and I would like to hear from the buyers who bought the unit as how the install went what did you have to watch out for not to burn it up. Does the unit mount just like any other unit or is grounds a issue. Will it work without a battery/do the likes flicker/can a smaller battery work/does the coil mount like stock or do you have to lift the ground. AGAIN I can be asking stupid questions but I know nothing about this unit and I sold over 150 harnesses this year and many of those guys who like upgrades want answers from me and I tell them to call the seller. So now I am asking the guys who bought it and love it to give other people and me there experience. Let me make myself clear I am not for or against any new product I need to know what you did and if I have to make any changes to my harnesses for 2017 and to pass good info to people who ask me.
Thanks Rich
 
Yes please reply to this thread guys, I have this new kit but have not finished installing so if there's a problem please let us know, when reading install directions I don't recall any mention of fuses or which wires may need to be fused.....
 
Thanks for this info. I guess its a trial and error deal on any new part and I am going to keep reading and look up the other one that is sold to see how that is wired in. Looks simple nothing new HONDA KAWASAKI SUZUKI have been using CDI setup in there 400/450 models for a while and I have wired up with one of my harnesses a CB450A and after I found the correct ground it works . I think someone will come out with a video or diagram of the complete install but not me.
 

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Members are having trouble (failures) with the new HHB CDI/PMA. More information is needed, so everyone knows what is happening and solutions can be found.
Unfortunately some posters ask for help, help is given, but then the threads just end with no conclusion, so we don't know if the problems were ever solved or not.
I have put requests for more information, in 3 threads that I have seen. Hyperballsmcgee has started to give us some more information, such as HHB sent him a Harley Dyna rec/reg unit (RMStator company) . No reply yet from SickBroLife or Kenny Roberts.

http://www.xs650.com/threads/new-hh...g-system-overheating-stator-wires-help.46300/
http://www.xs650.com/threads/suggest-a-diagram.46856/
http://www.xs650.com/threads/cdi-massive-voltage-drop-with-headlight-on.46980/

This site is for information exchange. There is an obligation to anyone that comes on the site and asks for help, that they feedback as much followup knowledge as time moves on.
Nobody likes a book, that has the last chapter ripped out.
 
There should not be any mystery as to how to install a new product. A responsible seller is obligated to provide full written instructions.

I completely agree with this and get very frustrated with people asking for help on here. Not because they are asking, but because the merchants who sell these products can't even explain pertinent information. For example. How many times do you read a post where someone buys an item and then has to ask, on here, what the 3 wires go to on a tail light they just bought. Is the black ground or hot, ect. (Just an example) Why can't the included instructions explain this?
 
well in hhb defense he does say what each color wire is for and where they connect but no mention of fuses or size needed for that line. we (I) am not a mech. or bike builder but also not a dummie, more detail and pics should be included when buying these kits. I wish someone would make a video for this xs650 how to customize from ground up, i've gotten alot of my info from youtube mostly and this site, but the detail i'm looking for isn't there or i haven't found it yet. i have more hours of research than build time
 
See it hard to make a video of a complete build because I may build different than you. When I had my shop and people who worked for me we JUST BUILT BIKES that's it. Like a machine you pumped out what the mass people wanted and you were able to sell. I built around 50 XS650 from my shop and maybe did another 50 upgrades to XS650 that people brought in. Some looked the same and others were the design of the customer because I would have never built it that way for myself. I got hooked on the XS650 because it was a cool little bike to build and I could never get over no matter where I took one it drew attention. I never myself tried to get one in a magazine but people who bought from me did. I did take them to local shows and got good reviews better than some of the $45,000 Harleys we also built. I even allowed other builders to use my pictures of my bikes with there stuff on it and some to this day still do.So you have to build with YOUR VISION not someone else to make it your own design. I have seen some back yard builds that have blew away what I built and would have never though of that. So you have to take in what you learned on here and other sites and JUST BUILD it will come to you. I was really lucky to meet two really cool members that needed my help and teach them both how to work and build there bikes and both bikes turned out great and pound the streets of New Jersey. I have been building BIKES and CARS since the 60's YES I am OLD haha but its not me telling you to do this or that its your build no matter what parts you buy or what color you choose. This site has SO MANY good people on here that know the XS650 bike and if you can just get one or two pieces of info from them you are already learning. Every vender sells there parts and would be crazy not to say that there part is not the best out there. That's what the sell to keep the doors open. You will find guys on here that say if the old parts work why change them. So what I hope I am getting out there is READ and LOOK at all the products out there for a XS650 build and then choose the ones you feel good about to put on your bike BECAUSE its YOUR BIKE not mine.
 
Who knows why Hugh wont give out a basic diagram that shows or states what wire goes to what feed on a bike. You do not have to draw up a wiring diagram for every conceivable answer, just a diagram and has wording saying ........."to Battery", Ground or Reg/Rect.

For all of Hughs tenacity in building a successful business, and he prides himself on his commitment to his products, he has let himself down by not engaging with his customers when he has found a product to have problems. It was through here we found out about the batch of stators that were burning out because of the connection being faulty. He knew about the problem and did nothing for a long time to connect to his customers and tell them of the problem, it was only if/when they told him of the problem he did something, and the continual problems with the reg/rect that is sold with the PMA kit. Now through here, (not from Hugh but a member), we find out Hugh is looking at and recommending an alternative Reg/Rect.
 
Yes, I always have the feeling that there are things going on with HHB, that his customers don't know about. I hope its not as bad as
Mikesxs, who knowingly, continues to sell many poor quality/very bad fitting parts.
It contrasts sharply with Pamcopete, who is very open on this site, reporting to everyone when he has a problem with a product, and what he is doing to solve the problem.
 
You can always email me perhaps?

I'm sorry I don't spend more time on these forums, I've been working non-stop these days keeping up with demand.

I am however, happy to answer any direct questions you folks may have.

Our system is 100% Standalone in design. Regulator hooks directly from the stator to the battery/cap and then to the fuse panel. The Ignition system is Standalone as well. There are no need for fuses in the system as designed (Ignition)

As for wiring diagrams, I've written out new ones for the kits we send out. If someone has purchased a CDI Second hand, it should come with the Instructions, they are printed and come in a clasped envelope, all 43 pages worth. The existing instructions are quite clear (with lots and lots of pictures) as to what color wires go where.

We are thankful for any feedback we get, that's for sure!

Good, Bad, The Ugly - it doesn't matter, because in the end, I want to provide the best services we can to you folks. Even critical responses from folks such as RG are very valuable, we cannot improve/grow/repair without it...

Now, it should be mentioned, we don't manufacture our Electrical Components in house, we source them from a Canadian Supplier - and we have had some issues in the past (poor soldered connections, heat being built up as a result, etc..) but we stand behind any of those issues - and without this forum, we might not have ever found those issues (we can only ride so many miles on our own bikes - whereas you folks are using over 1600 of our PMA Systems, and roughly 250 of our CDI Systems). The regulators we are using on our PMA systems are 30A units, but we are finding that with the use of less high draw accessories (LED Lights, etc) that the regulators are working harder than ever to shunt the energy that is being created but not being used. Folks running a Capacitor, and low draw Lights/Accessories seem to be having more issues than those with Batteries. This is a relatively new issue, one we could not have predicted, as folks have made the move from High Draw incandescent/halogen/etc lights to Low Draw LEDS. Our 200W System is overkill at this point, so we are now testing and using MOSFET Regulators - which are proving far more effective on the 3 Phase PMA Systems, but at a cost of course.

Its a small community, I want to be more active and engaged, but as a 2 man operation, we definitely stay busy.

Always feel free to email me for the fastest responses.

Hugh
 
Members are having trouble (failures) with the new HHB CDI/PMA. More information is needed, so everyone knows what is happening and solutions can be found.
Unfortunately some posters ask for help, help is given, but then the threads just end with no conclusion, so we don't know if the problems were ever solved or not.
I have put requests for more information, in 3 threads that I have seen. Hyperballsmcgee has started to give us some more information, such as HHB sent him a Harley Dyna rec/reg unit (RMStator company) . No reply yet from SickBroLife or Kenny Roberts.

http://www.xs650.com/threads/new-hh...g-system-overheating-stator-wires-help.46300/
http://www.xs650.com/threads/suggest-a-diagram.46856/
http://www.xs650.com/threads/cdi-massive-voltage-drop-with-headlight-on.46980/

This site is for information exchange. There is an obligation to anyone that comes on the site and asks for help, that they feedback as much followup knowledge as time moves on.
Nobody likes a book, that has the last chapter ripped out.

"Kenny Roberts" CDI was returned to us, fully butchered - we still refunded his money 100% (he didn't give us much choice, with a claim on his card, nor did he give any communications on the subject, it just showed up at the door one day) - but we would have gladly sorted it out best we could.

KR's install errors and pics of his system prompted this write-up:
http://www.hughshandbuilt.com/2016/07/14/wiring-and-you/

When we got his system, the timing tab was missing, but it was apparently not installed properly, as the Pickup was also smashed to bits. That system was fully install error, I keep it here on my desk as a monument of sorts - haha...

I'll look into the other's and see what issues they've had, and if they have been sorted out (usernames often blur with real names, so I don't often know who is who)

I do know that we had some CDI Regulators that were 15A originally on the CDI Systems, and they were rated to the task at hand, but proved otherwise in the real world for a handful of folks, so we upped to a 30A Regulator - with no issues to date that we know of

Hugh
 
Yes, I always have the feeling that there are things going on with HHB, that his customers don't know about. I hope its not as bad as
Mikesxs, who knowingly, continues to sell many poor quality/very bad fitting parts.
It contrasts sharply with Pamcopete, who is very open on this site, reporting to everyone when he has a problem with a product, and what he is doing to solve the problem.

I'm very reachable via Email, FB, Instagram, etc.. That hasn't really changed. I'll admit a lack of presence here, mostly due to a few changes at HHB.

Changes you ask?

Yes, we were once a 7 Man Operation. All 7 were full time employees, and we were keeping busy with Engine Builds, Product Design, Fabrication, Machining, etc...
Over time, we realized that many of the things were a loss (Engine builds for example, take far more time than profits really allow, although I enjoy doing them) and with not enough money to treat our employees to a proper wage/living wage, we shrunk several operations, got rid of some equipment that wasn't being used, and helped our employees find more economically fruitful employment. Add to the equation a BOOMING real estate trend here in Asheville NC, and my big shop rent had gone up 100% every year like clockwork, making it more stressful and less fun. I always said if it became too stressful and not fun enough, I'd stop doing this gig and find other things to do. Instead, we re-evaluated.

Basically - we shrunk... In doing so, we can keep quality control in the hands of Myself and Tevan, and occasionally Cody (he's a part time helper, full time friend, full time gear head) - these changes took some time, we haven't been able to get on this forum nearly as often as prior, as our daily routine is now paired down just 2 full time folks (Myself and Tevan) doing all of the machining, fabrication, shipping, website, emails, inventory control, dealer fulfillment, etc...

And, in full disclosure, I did meet with the folks from MikesXS at Barber this past season. They carry a select few of our products now, and we have a good line of communication. They are aware of some products shortcomings, and have been open ears to constructive feedback - it's going to be a good relationship I do believe. Not just for business, but for the XS650 Community. I myself have been vocal about a few MikesXS products failures and shortcomings, and yet, they still wanted to have a professional relationship with Hugh's HandBuilt.

Folks like myself, Pandemonium Customs, Hoos Racing, 650 Central, MikesXS, Pamcopete, etc - you'd be surprised how often we share ideas, communicate whats up with the industry, etc... We are all in this together...

Hugh
 
Hugh is a great guy who does stand behind his product! I ordered the cdi system from him and when I started putting it together I noticed I was missing two bolts and a couple wire connector rubber seals. I was a little upset so I emailed him. he responded quickly and offered me a 10% refund or store credit. I told him I needed an oil line which is worth more than the 10% he offered me and he had no problems with this. got it sent out that very day. I guarantee if anyone has an issue with any product from HHB all they would need to do is send an email to Hugh and he would get it taken care of.
 
I've kinda kept up with HHB over the past couple years on YouTube. He surely seems like a stand up guy and he shows it here in his posts. If I ever get past this hill of bills I will send some money his direction.
 
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