(this is the answre that i got when i ask about the unit)
I'm returning your email request for info about the magneto's I'm building.
They have been very relible. There oem unit's on some chinese manufactures models motorcycle's. I've sold kits for the xs and Honda 160/175s totaling 35 units and have had one problem where the buyer didn't have the unit or kill switch grounded properly and as soon as we diagnosed the problem that corrected that. I'm also in the process of adapting the unit to Smaller Yamaha twins and TT/SR500, BSA and Triumphs and Xl 250/350 models and 180 crank applications.
The ARD units are out of business, costly and hard to time correctly, (No keyway on there rotors)and there's very little support for them now. The PVLs are a great unit, they do electronicly advance (Mine Don't)and come most compleate. There $600.00. Mine are around $320.00 complete with coil, kill switch and instructions. I offer a back-up unit for $40.00. Some like to have a spare at the track just incase. There very simple to install, just follow the instructions and your going to be timed right around 35*degrees BTD and probably about an hour your ready to go. There's plenty of adjustment for that Dyno run to maximize your timing without romoving the rotor and starting over. The units do not electronicly advance so I've set them at the stock full advance setting. I've had no problems with this besides the bike being cold blooded tell warmed up. I start my bikes with rollers and have had no problems. If you where starting them with a kick starter? You may have problems running full advance.
One other little thing; ARD is NOT out of business. You have to know who to call if you need parts. If you want a new unit (ARD) you will wait a vary, vary log time,( read infinitely) and should seriously consider an alternative ignition ;PVL or MZ-B or MOTOPLAT or Mike Riddles unit.
if you have an ARD, and need parts, they are available, again you will wait awhile to get said parts
ARDs are not hard to time; I have never had an issue timing my ARDs,; never had one move after being timed. And have never had one fail. And I have run a few of them vary long and vary hard.
With that said; I think the ignition Mike is building is vary good for us XS ers . I don’t run batteries in my XSs, its just more weight in an already heavy package. If wanna go for an all day ride ,I’ll ride one of my Triumphs or a Harley. I run ARDs in my Champion XS street trackers w/ a vary small total loss battery ((brake light). But that’s the way (I) like it.
BTW- I am working on a CDI/MAGNITO with charging capabilities that is vary similar to the ARD/PVL units. Vary small, vary light, with a vary bright blue spark. Yes they will be expensive ; but for some of us , only the best will do.