Maniac57 tests the HD Lightning CDI

I received a new HD Lightning CDI today and quickly installed it on My Pig.
Very easy to wire. I cheated for the time being and used zipties to mount the coil, but plan on welding tabs to the frame eventually for a cleaner setup.
The included plug wire is very long and should work for almost any mounting you can imagine. I cut almost half off. Everything is very nicely made and looks good.

The electronics box is also ziptied for convenience since I'm eager to run this sucker!



Well all I have to say after my first ride is WOW! What a difference! My bike has lately been prone to annoying "hiccups" in the low end and midrange that felt to me like the spark was being blown out. Careful plug gapping had helped but never cured it and my jetting is now spot on since I finally got off my behind and drilled my own jets.
Well, this seems to confirm my suspicion because with the new ignition, it pulls clean and strong from idle all the way to scary vibration land. No more "hiccups" and it is clearly a much happier motor everywhere in the band. With the improved chamber of the fredhead and this new stronger spark, my otherwise stock engine is really running sweet! Everyone here knows how cheap I am and I'm thrilled with this ignition.
I don't do GPS and have no idea what my speeds are, but it feels faster everywhere in the band with improved throttle response and cleaner combustion. My seat-of-the-pants dyno says its working very well!
With these mods together on my stock, nothing special ebay engine, I'm happier than I have been yet!
Can't wait to get my GenV top end parts to see how this package acts on a decent bottom end with more rpm potential....

xseler said:

I don't know if my riding style/amount of riding would warrant the purchase of this upgraded unit. With that being said, if my old CDI decides to go kaput, I'd probably go with the Lightning.

Keep us updated with the everyday reliability of this unit. Racers are always near 'help' at a track ----- much different for a casual rider on a cruise away from the homebase.

Click to expand...

I felt exactly the same way. The stock CDI works fine so why bother?
I've changed my opinion after riding the new parts.
The improvement is useable everywhere, not just racing. Makes my bike more enjoyable and peppier offsetting the 36tooth gearing handicap in low end takeoff.
Between this and the Fredhead and the pipe , my otherwise stock HT is a much different animal.
I am NOT being paid for this review, nor did I solicit any parts in return for a good review.
This is my unbiased opinion in an attempt to reduce the hype.
I call them like I see them, ESPECIALLY when it comes to parts marketed as performance improving. You can bet your a$$ if it don't work, I'll be the first to sound off. I'm too old to care what anyone else thinks.
The HD Lightning works as advertised.
You won't get instant 50mph wheelies, but you WILL feel the difference!

HuffyDavidson, is there any reason I can't weld a couple small tabs on the frame to mount the coil properly? It's grounded anyway so?....

Update:
After about a week of my usual riding, the HD lightning continues to make my Pig a much more enjoyable, happier feeling ride. The improvement in manners and low end is very nice in daily use, making for less pedaling and clutch use. It starts easier and warms up quicker, although this could also be partly due to the Fred head.
I'm very happy with the performance and value of this ignition and would recommend it to anyone who wants better than stock.