Tecate PVL ingintion setup questions

[ccdhowell]

I know I've been silent here for some time, working my tail off, but that's another story. A couple weeks ago I took the stator cover off my Tecate and checked the stator with a multimeter...it was way outside spec in the shop manual. Checked the coil, same thing, bad. I decided to go with a PVL ignition and installed it today. No thanks to the confusing instructions I think it's installed properly. I ver excitedly put on my right riding boot so I could kick it, can't do it with tennis shoes. I kicked it 10 or so times and it tried to start, then died. Another three kicks...same thing. I take a walk around the garage to get my breath back, did I mention that it is hard to kick? climb back on board, kick one more time and break the kicker. Not the lever itself, but the part that the lever swivels on, so I need one of those.

It is harder to kick than before and I may be getting kickback from ignition too far advanced. The instructions for setting the timing advance are confusing and vague. Anyone know how to set the timing advance without the degree timing dial special tool they want you to have in the instructions?

Oh yeah, anyone have a Tecate kicker pivot I can buy off you?

Thanks,
Chris

[bushwacker51]

I put a pvl ignition on my honda 250r. I set it just like the instructions said. I went to kick start it and it licked back so hard I thought it broke my leg. I realized it was to far advanced backed off the timing advance until it quit kicking back. it then ran great. I must say its hard to get yourself to kick it again after it kicks back that hard. That really hurt. good luck Glenn O.

[tecat-z]

Kick back, oh man. T-3 Lopes had tecate ignition issues at tf 06. All weekend his bike was kicking back like nothing i've ever seen before. So he says, "you try it" My bad, one kick and i thought my knee was blown!! And this was with MX boots. I believe he still wears scars from that weekend. Me, i grabbed a beer and shook my head. Needless to say it was a timing issue, from someones mismatched parts. Let us know how the PVL works out after it's dialed. Can you post up some close up pics?

[3Razors]

First thing you are going to need to get it timed right is a dial-indicator with a spark plug adapter. FTZ racing has them, pretty resonable $$ too. Without this you will never get it timed right and possibly risk piston meltdown.

Another note, in general a pvl equiped machine will be harder to kick over than a oem ignition because the flywheel weight is next to nothing.

[cr480r]

Whats wrong with a KX system? The pvl doesnt seem to me like its a very good mod for anything besides drag racing... It surely must eliminate all traction and tractability...

[T3 LOPES]

Kick back! I know what you mean . I still have nightmares. let me know how things turn out.

[tecat-z]

I don't think the kx ignition makes any more power than a tecate setup. The reason they used it back in the day was because it was a more reliable system over the tecate. By that i mean, the magnets were glued and screwed in. Tecate only glued. The racers did'nt want to chance it, and they had no use for lights. Yes you do get a bit quicker rev out of the engine. But max power is fairly close, if not the same from what i've seen. A nicely tuned engine with a kx cylinder set up "properly" flies no matter what. PVL's are designed for a more high speed curve from what i understand, and that's good. After all, thats what were all in search of. Power on the big end!! But again, proper setup is key. I personally have never used one, but i have heard some good things. Remember, degrees of crankshaft rotation, Yep gotta know that. Tools are required.

[honda250sx]

Talk to the guys at www.pentonracingproducts.com. They got a great tech line of guys. Do alot with PVL ignitions.

[scooterroo]

hey chris pm digity x , his t3 has a pvl igniton on it. he swears by it, but to each their own. myself, i was looking at the pvl but opted to go with the kx setup with the kx cylinder.

[ChrisD]

I run a PVL on my R and love it. Save yourself the grief and buy the dial indicator or go to a shop that has one.

[ccdhowell]

I guess while I'm waiting to find a kickstart pivot piece, I'll also hunt down a dial indicator. I normally don't scrimp on tools, but I've been busy and had a window of time to fix the Tecate and went for it. Well, this didn't turn-out so well, shoulda known better than to rush a precision job.

For the guys that run the PVL system...the instructions advise to mount the coil/CDI unit vertical so it doesn't come seperated from it's mount. On the Tecate it was tough to find a spot on the side away from the exhaust. How critical is this? Can you guys put up some pics of how your coil/CDI unit is mounted. I figure while I'm waiting, I'll clean-up that part of the install.

Chris