Adding Discs to the SuperTrapp

Programmable Ignition

I have written elsewhere about my continuous problem with pinging using readily available 91 octane. I had tried to tune it out with jetting and needle position, installed an oil cooler, and even switched to syn3 lubricant, but nothing had helped. My last hope was placed on an expensive ignition module from HeadQuarters.

I had asked John at Ottawa HD to call HeadQuarters and to ask them to provide me with a custom map for my particular engine build. After replacing the Screamin' Eagle ignition with the HQ unit (actually a Daytona Twin Tec), I headed out for a test drive.

Installing HQ iginition module.

At first everything seemed to be ok, but then I heard the familiar tick, tick, tick sound when I tried to accelerate. Over the next couple of tank fill-ups, I experimented with gentle and aggressive use of the throttle, and even different shift points. Sadly the pinging was still there, and possibly even more so than before.

But the module was not a total disappointment. The ignition did solve one problem for me: starter kickback. The HQ ignition allows the engine to spin for a moment before sending fire to the plugs, and that seems to have made a very significant difference to my starting procedure. Though the bike never had a problem when starting cold, starting hot was a different story, and one that often ended up with a starter damaging clank.

Now I just leave the throttle alone and press the button to be rewarded with an often instantaneous start. For this improvement alone, the cost of the HQ ignition was well worth it.

So what next?

I will be putting the Fitch Fuel Catalyst pellets back in the tank. Though they didn't help with pinging before, they did make a notable difference in my previous bike (see Fitch Fuel Catalyst). I will also be visiting my local Sunoco for a higher octane fuel, and look seriously at what's available in octane boosters at automotive outlets. And of course, I will further investigate the ignition module's potential to see if a mapping tweak can solve the problem.

I still hope that I can run 91 octane as it is easy to find, but maybe it is just not good enough for my engine. Time will tell.

To see and hear the pipes in action on the dyno, go to the Movie Clip section in Miscellaneous.