Designed specifically for 1970s - 1980s carbureted motorcycles, the Hand Held Dyno® Ignition system brings modern precision, control, and unprecedented diagnostic capabilities to your classic ride.
The system features a concept designed by Michael Arnott and engineering designed by renowned automotive engine management semiconductor engineer Mike Garrard. Mr. Garrard holds over 20 automotive engine management patents, with 12 specifically related to motorcycles, bringing a profound depth of technical expertise to the system's development.
- Benefit: Ensures a well-conceived product backed by deep, specialized engineering expertise, resulting in a reliable and technologically advanced ignition system designed to solve common issues in these older motorcycles and introduce new levels of insight.
I. Core Ignition & Performance Technology:
Feature: "Long Duration Spark" (LDS) Technology
- What it does: A proprietary system that keeps the spark plug lit for an extended period, up to six times longer than conventional CDI (Capacitive Discharge Ignition) systems.
- Benefit: Promotes a more complete and powerful combustion by increasing the likelihood of igniting challenging air-fuel mixtures. This helps smooth out flat spots, improves cold start performance, prevents misfires, and smooths response, leading to overall increased engine efficiency and a more pleasant riding experience.
Feature: ZSS (Zero Speed Sensing) Pickups
- What it does: Specialized pickups enabling the ignition system to fire a spark from as low as 1 RPM.
- Benefit: Significantly contributes to faster and easier engine starting in all conditions, providing confidence that your bike will fire up reliably.
Feature: LDT (Large Diameter Trigger) Rotor
- What it does: A large diameter trigger rotor keyed directly to the crankshaft, replacing older trigger mechanisms and mechanical advance systems.
- Benefit:
- Dramatically enhances ignition timing signal accuracy, delivering 3 to 5 times the precision of smaller, older contact cam systems (depending on the bike model). This foundational accuracy is crucial for optimal engine performance and consistency.
- By replacing outdated mechanical components, the LDT Rotor also:
- Eliminates "contact bounce" common in points systems.
- Eradicates "spark scatter" caused by worn mechanical triggers.
- Removes the mechanical advancer, along with its potential for timing inaccuracies (which can be up to 15% out of optimum across the rev range).
- The result is maintenance-free operation and consistently precise timing information delivered to the Ignition Control Unit (ICU).
Feature: IDAS (Interpolated Digital Advance System)
- What it does: An advanced digital system, controlled by a powerful 32-bit processor, which uses the highly accurate signals from the LDT Rotor to prescribe spark timing with extreme precision, including precise coil dwell control.
- Benefit: Delivers ignition timing accurate down to a millionth of a second.
II. Installation & Setup:
Feature: "Automatic Static Timing System" (ASTS)
- What it does: An innovative system where datum triggers are in known locations, allowing the ICU to calculate spark delivery without manual adjustment.
- Benefit: Radically simplifies installation by eliminating the need for manual static timing adjustments, degree wheels, or timing lights. You genuinely don't even need to know what static timing is to achieve a perfectly timed installation, matching or exceeding professional accuracy.
III. Smartphone features, iOS and Android.
Feature: Real-time Digital Tachometer (via Smartphone App)
- What it does: The ICU accurately measures engine RPM and transmits this data via Bluetooth for display as a tachometer within the smartphone app for the Hand Held Dyno® Ignition.
- Benefit: Provides a clear, precise, and real-time display of your engine speed directly on your smartphone. This allows for accurate monitoring of RPM for optimal gear shifts, engine diagnostics, and understanding how your engine responds to different loads and selected ignition maps, all without needing a separate or potentially less accurate mechanical tachometer.
Feature: Smartphone App (iOS & Android) with Bluetooth Connectivity (General Interface)
- What it does: Provides the primary wireless interface to the Ignition Control Unit (ICU) for system interaction.
- Benefit: Offers a modern, convenient, and cable-free way (as easy to use as Facebook!) to select ignition maps, further monitor vital engine parameters in real-time (beyond the tachometer), and access other diagnostic tools for your Hand Held Dyno® system.
Feature: 9 Pre-set Ignition Maps (via Smartphone App)
- What it does: Offers a selection of expertly crafted ignition curves for the Hand Held Dyno® Ignition.
- Benefit: Provides users with optimized ignition timing for various engine setups, all selectable in moments from your phone.
- Important Caveat: Changing Engine Maps can have catastrophic consequences for your engine! Refer to our documentation for advice before proceeding.
Feature: Real-time Battery Voltage Monitoring & Charging System Diagnostics (via Smartphone App)
- What it does: The ICU outputs battery voltage information displayed on the app for the Hand Held Dyno® Ignition.
- Benefit: Provides continuous insight into your motorcycle's electrical system health. Forget fumbling with a multimeter; check battery status in a heartbeat, key on, open App,check battery meter! This offers early warnings of potential regulator/rectifier or battery failures, helping to prevent unexpected breakdowns and component damage.
Feature: Engine Hour Meter (via Smartphone App)
- What it does: Records and displays the total number of hours the engine (equipped with the Hand Held Dyno® Ignition) has been running.
- Benefit: Helps you accurately track engine usage for timely maintenance scheduling (oil changes, valve checks, etc.), provides valuable information for assessing long-term engine wear, and can be useful for resale purposes.
Feature: Pickup Troubleshooting Feature (via Smartphone App)
- What it does: A diagnostic tool for the Hand Held Dyno® Ignition that receives data directly from the ZSS Pickups.
- Benefit: Provides users with optional ignition timing strategies for various engine setups, eg. new exhaust, new carburetors, camshafts etc may work better on the optional maps?