Randakk's 2009 Customer Appreciation International Vintage Honda Rally -

Ignition Tuning Clinc by Ross Davis

Rally Details and Rally Registration here

I am very pleased to announce that ace Honda wrench Ross Davis will be conducting an Ignition Tuning Clinic at the 2009 Rally.

This clinic will employ the use of the Ignition Mate - a very sophisticated ignition system diagnostic tool that can help diagnose a wide variety of ignition flaws. Volunteers will be selected for actual evaluations and comparisons of the stock system vs. various modified systems in attendance.

Ross has selected the GL 1000 as the test subject, because it is the early 'Wing model most modified. He expects that with the assistance of Rally attendee's help, we can come to some conclusions about which of our modifications work the best.

Ross will be ably assisted during the clinic by Steve Seamans (aka Whiskerfish).

GL1000 Ignition Design:

The stock GL 1000 ignition systems features a battery coil ignition system. The GL1000 also uses a traditional dual breaker points ignition trigger system. The GL 1000 has "wasted spark" dual lead coils. It uses the battery as a source of voltage. The voltage charges the primary side of the coil magnetizing it much like the experiment many of us did in science class with a nail, wire and battery. As we switch the current on and off (via the points) we create "electromagnetic induction." This is the principle of "a change in a stationary magnetic field can induce a current in a wire exposed to that field." This happens to the secondary side of the dual lead coil causing both attached spark plugs to fire simultaneously

The Ignition Mate measures the capability of ignition systems in two ways.

1. Maximum current output

2. Relative portion actually used to fire the spark plugs.

These tests are "noninvasive" and won't do any harm to the "guinea pig" bikes. I'm really looking forward to see what we learn!

Ross Davis Bio:

Riding and wrenching for 40 years. Ross is a Honda Red level Technician, retired instructor and currently Service Department Consultant for his own company Davis2Davis,Inc.

More info on Ross here.

In 2005, Ross rode his GL1000 (Puffy) across country to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Gold Wing to the Moto GP at Laguna Seca. His current devotion is to the "Acer" a special he is building. Ross is dedicated to the four cylinders of the early days of motorcycling. "May the fours be with you."