Honda ATC 250r ignition question...

[TtownJoeShow]

hello, i have a 1983, and the CDI quit (think i kicked it over too many times, without the plug in it...Oh and i droped it lol) but by my manual it seems that i can use 1983 and 84 Cdi's. Does any one know about this, or could i also use 85's....i have only found brandnew ones for the 1985 and 86's (on eBay)...
please help, there's snow and i need to ride!!! lol
Thank you in advance!

Damn! they r even discontinued it seems, i've loked in Bikebandit and eBay. Did a couple of searches too, Nothing new...this is soo brutal!
Anybody have any links???

[faf_racing]

81-84 were air cooled motors 85-86 are liquid cooled the cdi are different... so to answer your ? no 85-86 wont work. also what did you drop? the plug?

[TtownJoeShow]

no the CDI... it tested exellent before i dropped it lol now i cant find a used one and they are expensive new...but by the looks of it i might need to get a new one...yeah i guess i should start trying to find one

[TtownJoeShow]

anyone know of any good links?

[TeamGeek6]

hello, i have a 1983, and the CDI quit (think i kicked it over too many times, without the plug in it...Oh and i droped it lol) but by my manual it seems that i can use 1983 and 84 Cdi's. Does any one know about this, or could i also use 85's....i have only found brandnew ones for the 1985 and 86's (on eBay)...
please help, there's snow and i need to ride!!! lol
Thank you in advance!

Damn! they r even discontinued it seems, i've loked in Bikebandit and eBay. Did a couple of searches too, Nothing new...this is soo brutal!
Anybody have any links???

"the CDI quit (think i kicked it over too many times, without the plug in it...Oh and i droped it"

No, kicking it without the plug and dropping it did not break it. That would take a 3 story drop on concrete the way that CDI is built inside.

Go find the bad wiring, probably the CDI plug. Same problem with mine. This BBS (and many others) are loaded with stories of people that have replaced CDIs, stators and other expensive parts that did absolutely no good. Honda motorcycles are notorious for bad wiring.

Realize that along with the failure, you had removed the CDI plug...

There is a small engine website that also sells ATV ignition CDIs, I dont remember the link, but its not hard to find. I think Ive posted it here before.

[TtownJoeShow]

thanks for the reply! but i tested the cdi the way that the hanynes manual tells ya too one day and it was fine, so i put it back on the trike, tried to start it (ran for a split sec and quit X2) so i looked at the trouble shooting, it said nothing. Looked in my Toyota Truck manual and it said that there was a intake leak or loose wireing...but for some reason i decided to check out the cdi again and it tested out as garbage

[3leggeddog]

i agree,it is very unlikely your cdi is bad.did you check the stator?make sure both sides are with in the specs.i had a cr igntion that did not test bad anywhere,but had no spark.good ohms readings,so i bought a ricky stator,and BAM,got the sheet shocked outta me.

[hrc85250r]

unplug everything and check all connections, ALL connections, and "ohm out" all of the wiring involved with ignition, after that see if the plug sparks, if it still doesnt then proceed with checking each electrical component....otherwise, just dont be lazy with the electrical, electrical stuff sucks, but once you finally understand it its pretty simple...

[TeamGeek6]

thanks for the reply! but i tested the cdi the way that the hanynes manual tells ya too one day and it was fine,

The manualsare not good sources for test procedures. The manual tests are not accurate, they are just something one can do with limited test equipment and knowledge - the "better than nothing" option.

[TtownJoeShow]

Thanks guys! yeah i put the CDI back on and cleaned the connections and she sparks lots!! still starts n stops... going to rip the carb off n cleaner....seems that flooding might b the cause of the stopping, and there is a slight tear in the intake boot, so i'll seal it up (getting a boyessen or power curve in like a month)
Thanks again!

[TeamGeek6]

The ignition will work for a little while then itll die again. Cleaning the plug shows where the problem is, but its not a fix.

[Blown 331]

We've used a CDI from a 1985 ATC110 and a 1985 ATC200S on a 1984 ATC250R and it worked fine.

[Billy Golightly]

you used a 4 stroke cdi on a pinger? Wtf

[TtownJoeShow]

The ignition will work for a little while then itll die again. Cleaning the plug shows where the problem is, but its not a fix.

lol yeah i wish it would run long enough to get some color on the plug.


yep never heared of anyone puting a 4 stroke cdi on a 2... lol i wont b tryin that one....thanks anyways

[TeamGeek6]

The ignition doesnt care what engine, its all about stator voltage. Good trick to know. Now we just have to explain to the CDI that:

4 STROKES SUCK.

LOLOLOL

J/K Ive had lots of fun with 4 strokes too.

The ignition is simply designed around how much fuel the engine takes per intake stroke. No reason to make a different box for each engine.


Joe, that CDI plug is a (I cant say that here) and its impossible to replace. I can rework that system and eliminate the plugs and/or hop that ignition system. Look at the link in my signature.