New Distributor for Single Point Bikes

[C5Performance]

I have been kicking around the idea of a C5 ignition on single point distributors (at least one for my old V700) but the ignition module won't fit inside this tiny distributor. My thought was to eliminate the stock timing parts, which on farm tractor tests has proven to be a worthwhile investment in time and money. Many original distributors no longer function properly.



Earlier this year I made a small adapter that sat "on top" of the Guzzi distributor and housed our electronics. It looked great but when I tried installing in my bike the cylinder head and valve cover got in the way and prevented me from using my housing cover. I tried a smaller cover and thinner housing but it wasn't going to fit. The stock distributor is just too tall if you're going to clamp something else on top. Arrrggghhh!!!



Replace all those old parts with one new part (circled in yellow)? Heck ya!!



Back to the drawing board, right? I was talking with a Canadian friend of mine and told him I was about ready to make a whole new distributor. By reducing the height it might fit behind the cylinder without contact. We might even get away with using the stock inner shaft and just have to make a new distributor body. I sent my stock parts up to Nick with specific instructions and he produced a great looking prototype that is currently being shipped back to me. 



If this fits correctly the cover will clear the head, and we'll have our high quality optical ignitions on even more Italian bikes. They start, idle, and run better than ever before. I've got six of them pre-sold so the pressure is on.

Anyway, I don't post much on here but wanted to share with you since there is not much "NEW" stuff being designed for old Guzzi motorcycles.

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone!
 

[Don G]

What would be the price of such a unit? DonG

[Kiwi_Roy]

Do you have to convert to a dual coil with your setup?
Is the advance electronic or does it rely on the original flyweights?

[C5Performance]

Do you have to convert to a dual coil with your setup?
Is the advance electronic or does it rely on the original flyweights?

No idea of price yet since we've not verified this will even work. It will not use flyweights. Our ignition is rpm based using an optical disc to track engine rotation.
Old mechanical parts just can't provide proper timing and there are better ways to manage spark/detonation.
We provide twin coils and will single fire the engine like our other MG ignition. Because of the cylinder spread we prefer not to waste spark this one.   
 
We've had a Dual Point and (some) small block MG kits available for quite some time and I'm sure a few readers here use them.

This would be a nice addition to the Italian offerings and I'm excited that my own bike will use it.

 Thank you for the great questions!

[Kiwi_Roy]

Optical would be even more accurate than Hall Effect like a Dyna I would think, I've been racking my brain trying to figure out how you would replace the mechanical advance, will you be using a microprocessor?
Since it will be a dual coil it should be suitable for any of the dual point Guzzis as well, no?

[C5Performance]

Optical would be even more accurate than Hall Effect like a Dyna I would think, I've been racking my brain trying to figure out how you would replace the mechanical advance, will you be using a microprocessor?
Since it will be a dual coil it should be suitable for any of the dual point Guzzis as well, no?

Yes it is more accurate than Hall Effect (Dyna type technology) and yes we use a microprocessor.
We have had a dual point Guzzi kit for almost 3 years now and they work awesome.

There are a few postings on here regarding the C5 ignition. We have many testimonials on our website (not sure I can list it here).

[Antietam Classic Cycle]

There are a few postings on here regarding the C5 ignition. We have many testimonials on our website (not sure I can list it here).

http://www.c5ignitions.com/motorcycle-ignitions.html

[bigbikerrick]

Excellent! Makes me happy you are taking interest in the old loops. I think you will have a great selling product, if priced right. I for one would be willing to upgrade to electronic ignition on my eldo.
Rick

[C5Performance]

Our old coil pack is quite large and takes a bit of creative packaging to fit under the tank. Today I got in our newest coil. Rated over 130,000 volts and less than half the size, these will hopefully end up in all Moto Guzzi kits in the near future. Since we're talking about upgrades I thought you might enjoy seeing them.

It has taken about a year to test and manufacture these but they are AWESOME.

[C5Performance]

I bet you guys figured I'd forgotten to update this post. NOT accurate, we've been very busy destroying prototypes because of fitment issues 

We wanted to make a nice cheap little part that clamps on top of this, but there's just not enough space.
A prototype was made and it didn't fit either (close though) so with a bit of crude lathe work I found a shape that is TALL enough to clear the alternator and SHORT enough to clear the cylinder head with very little space left over. 

After this project I'm ready for a vacation!

What you see is the final shape and product. I tried to design it to mimic a wine glass (get it, Italian bike....wine glass).

I'm building 10 of them.  If this interests you please send an email. There are several sold already so I've got about 6 left. When they are gone you are out of luck. I have a list of people who said they were interested, this is where you decide if you leave me hang or not LOL. Kits will include the C5 ignition with 4 timing maps, new micro coils shown above, 8mm spiral wound plug wires, and complete distributor (using your stock gear). Yes, it even comes with an inner shaft, new bearing, and cover so you can leave your old distributor alone. Because of the additional cost I'm going to sell the ignition at retail and the distributor at my actual cost.
That puts the price of admission at roughly $590 USD. If you already have a C5 ignition on something else I will pay for shipping.

[v65tt]

Stunning work!

Next project for you, a kit to work on modern bikes with the single Hall effect sensor on the fly wheel or on the cam shaft ( like my v7 stone powered v65tt

[Chuck in Indiana]

It's an optical rather than a Hall effect sensor, I think.

[C5Performance]

Stunning work!

Next project for you, a kit to work on modern bikes with the single Hall effect sensor on the fly wheel or on the cam shaft ( like my v7 stone powered v65tt

We don't use Hall Effect triggers for several reasons, one of them being inaccuracy and the second being lack of feedback needed for precise multiple sparking. 
There is a new system being developed that will open up many new applications and is not optically triggered. It will not be Hall Effect but I can't say any more than that. 

The vintage market for us has been a solid place to start partly because I have a huge collection of old motorcycles. Three years ago Power Arc had only three applications for their technology. I started C5 to get them into every possible market and have been fairly successful. In three years we've designed and manufactured over 40 new kits and I'm mostly a one man operation with awesome friends and customers to help along the way. No way I could have done it without you guys (and support from my wife & kids)!
 
Time is the only thing holding me back 

[C5Performance]

I'm road tripping until Sunday night but wanted to share a few pictures. The parts arrived today and all that is left to do is drill the hole for the gear. I am thrilled with the outcome and hopefully a few of you like it as well.

[Sasquatch Jim]

  If  t'werks , use it.