Just wanted to clarify and reiterate an oft mentioned though rarely spotlit issue vis a vis CDI destruction. I have had no problems with my CDI for nearly a year, although I have gone through about 5 magneto-coils. This passed Wednesday, I met a friend at a local gin-mill whom I just assisted in completing his very own FIRST motorized bicycle kit. His spark-plug cap of his brand-new CDI had disintegrated. I carry replacement parts in my trusty backpack, and had a spare CDI kicking around in there for ages. He already had a new CDI on order (he wasn't aware you could just swap the cable). Anyway, I didn't hesitate to give him mine in the meantime. So...my own spark-plug cap was starting to show its age, and started to pop off once in a while. It, with age and use, lost much of its snugness and "holding-power"...much like my ex's snatch. Wouldn't you know it, the VERY NEXT MORNING, whilst boogieing along and RPMing at cruising speed, the cap popped off...engine died...and we rolled to a stop. I immediately recognized and mitigated the issue...or so I thought. The engine would simply not fire. Thinking the mag-coil fried (I carry a spare of those too), I checked the resistance (I also carry a digital multimeter). It was good. Then I tried the ol' removed-plug-laying-on-head trick, rolled tire...no spark. The VERY FIRST DAY I don't have a spare CDI handy, mine finally blows (which is one more that I can say about my ex). Word to the wise...and ESPECIALLY the unwise: if your spark-plug cap is faulty, FIX IT NOW lest you kill your CDI at an inopportune time.
Last edited:
