I received the RDD CDI kit and the filters somewhere mid jan after waiting for a while. Now I had done my homework in detail, reading up all there is to be read regarding the RDD CDI, Timing, jetting. I have to admit till that time I had only the theoretical knowledge but it was soon going to change. Since I was running points before installing the RDD CDI , had to change the wiring which I thought was beyond my reach to do myself. So I take a bunch of printouts, my bike, and myself to the mech recommended by one of the Members whom I respect and trust.
Old wiring and coils were stripped off the bike. The points setup was removed.
It took a few hrs of work, slow and easy to put in the new wiring, switch cluster, ignition switch. HT coils were mounted and the coil plate was fixed, then the mag drum. The screws supplied with the kit for securing the coil plate were protruding type and the mag drum was touching them. That was enough for me to know that my crank not accurately set to say the least. The mech was very eager to shave the drum off so as to get enough clearance from the screws
ha ha ha!. This issue was simply solved by using flat head screws. The Black box was secured in the tool box space. I never used the engine kill switch before so I chose not to hook it up to the wiring.
All the wiring was run as per the wiring dig. Then came the time to check for the spark. I cross checked the wiring twice and then woooooaaahhhhh one kick and I saw a fat blue spark on both sides. That spark infused life in me, all this while I was trying to make sure that I don’t mess up the wiring somewhere, The black box had come to life!. New plugs and plug caps were then installed and the bike was ready to be timed.
The bike was timed to 20 deg Advance with timing light and the tape method as I did not have the dial gauge. The reason for not advancing it to 24deg was that I was running high compression heads then. Had to file the slots on the coil plate to advance the timing.
I deferred from installing the filters and jet at this time as I did not want to get tangled later trying to sort both jetting and timing together.
I am indebted to Alan for all the help he has offered.
My bike has its share of jugad setups, for one I was and am still running diff size pistons, doesn’t inspire much confidence does it! But it ran ok. I could touch 130 as recorded on a digital Speedo(BC 800). But that was all on points. Now the CDI was in and it was time for me to go for the first ride. I reached the highway for a small trial run and refrained from ripping it. Just reached the midrange. It was like I was riding a different bike from the previous one. Smoothness exemplified, it was simply great. The acceleration was clean, bike smooth, response spot on. I packed up from the mechs place and headed home, it was evening by then! Had 20 Km of roads to see what the bike is like. Idling well, responding to accelerator really well. After a long time I experienced the WOT. And it was awesome. The CDI may not have changed my top speed but it surely has changed the way it reaches there.
The clutch was slipping occasionally so changed the clutch plates.
After 10 days of enjoying the bike on all the roads that I could think of, I was comfortable with the timing and decided to go in for the filters. It took hardly any time to get the filters in and putting in the main jets.
When I kicked it over, i heard the sweet melodious Growl and fell in love with the machine all over again. The bike performed even better with good acceleration and without hiccups.
To sum it up my trip so far has been a learning curve. Have thoroughly enjoyed it so far and looking forwards to enjoy it further.
Ron has been very helpful in answering whatever questions i had.
I am planning a lot of work on the bike in the next few months. Both Top end and bottom end will to be changed and have been lined up, hopefully I should have them on the bike in the next couple of months. In the meanwhile I have to learn how to set the carb float bowl level, to synchronize and tune the Carbs.
My word on the RDD CDI – If you have an RD 350 and you don’t have the RDD CDI, then you are surely missing an experience BIG TIME!
This surely is an awesome product by RDD. Keep the good work going.
