Carmo Electronics TCI Replacement Results

[NerdBot2021]

Hi All. After attempting to fix my Hitachi 12R-10 TCI box, and instead destroying the timing advance, I opted to buy the Carmo Electronics TCI replacement box. I did this for my 1982 Yamaha XS400J Maxim DOHC. Here are my results:

Pros:
1. Bike runs smoother, intermittent spark loss fixed
2. Connectors were plug and play

Cons:
1. Box is larger than the original and needs custom mounting solution
2. Connectors were loose fitting and needed zipties to hold them in place
3. Box is bright orange and conflicts with the rest of the bike

Overall, I am very satisfied with it as it solved my problem and has a 3 year warranty. The cons are purely a quality of life thing that would be nicer to have.

 

[Mshift]

I'm pretty positive my 83 Maxim has a shot TCI too. Going to test more things before I pull the trigger on the Carmo however, glad to hear someone has good results. Gives me hope! as the used ones on ebay are questionable and very few DOHC TCIs out there anymore. Unless someone has one laying around in good condition, they want to sell me because that Carmo looks likes its almost more than the bike is worth now !!

 

[NerdBot2021]

I'm pretty positive my 83 Maxim has a shot TCI too. Going to test more things before I pull the trigger on the Carmo however, glad to hear someone has good results. Gives me hope! as the used ones on ebay are questionable and very few DOHC TCIs out there anymore. Unless someone has one laying around in good condition, they want to sell me because that Carmo looks likes its almost more than the bike is worth now !!

I feel that cost, I tried soldering new components on my original TCI box to save money before I bought this cause it was nearly double the price paid for the bike last year (got it non-running from a guy who left it under his carport for 5 years for $200, turned out the pickup coils were bad and carbs needed cleaned. Been driving her since January slowly restoring the small details). I unfortunately broke the timing advance in my conquest to save money and had to buy it anyways. What symptoms are you having with yours? Mine would die randomly, which after research led to the TCI.

 

[Mshift]

I feel that cost, I tried soldering new components on my original TCI box to save money before I bought this cause it was nearly double the price paid for the bike last year (got it non-running from a guy who left it under his carport for 5 years for $200, turned out the pickup coils were bad and carbs needed cleaned. Been driving her since January slowly restoring the small details). I unfortunately broke the timing advance in my conquest to save money and had to buy it anyways. What symptoms are you having with yours? Mine would die randomly, which after research led to the TCI.

Feel like a new/used one is at the end of the line here eventually. currently pulled from 20yr storage. turns over great on battery, everything is very clean and loose... just no spark at plugs. tested coil and wiring to the best I know and its all good. going to go through everything again and bypass any kill/safety switches and go from there. could be something simple but the TCI board was broken when parked and my Frankenstein soldered jumper fix may not be good anyway.. although, Ive got continuity to each tang

 

[NerdBot2021]

Feel like a new/used one is at the end of the line here eventually. currently pulled from 20yr storage. turns over great on battery, everything is very clean and loose... just no spark at plugs. tested coil and wiring to the best I know and its all good. going to go through everything again and bypass any kill/safety switches and go from there. could be something simple but the TCI board was broken when parked and my Frankenstein soldered jumper fix may not be good anyway.. although, Ive got continuity to each tang

I had the old TCI off of mine if you’d like it for diagnostic purposes. It will produce spark, and run, just lacks power cause it’s not advancing timing. I’d be willing to mail you it for the price of shipping. It’s of no use to me. My other suggestion is checking pickups, cause that’s why mine was missing spark when I got it.

 

[Mshift]

I had the old TCI off of mine if you’d like it for diagnostic purposes. It will produce spark, and run, just lacks power cause it’s not advancing timing. I’d be willing to mail you it for the price of shipping. It’s of no use to me. My other suggestion is checking pickups, cause that’s why mine was missing spark when I got it.

Ah Man! that would be rad! would at least let me know she's a decent runner before I start dumping too much $ into it. It was one of my dad's old bikes, so I'm interested in getting it back on the road and hell it might replace my 73CB350 if it's a good commuter/cruiser!

 

[NerdBot2021]

Ah Man! that would be rad! would at least let me know she's a decent runner before I start dumping too much $ into it. It was one of my dad's old bikes, so I'm interested in getting it back on the road and hell it might replace my 73CB350 if it's a good commuter/cruiser!

Hit me up on Instagram with your address and I’ll get a quote for shipping and send you a Venmo for the shipping cost and send it your way.

 

[NerdBot2021]

Unfortunately, I got off the insta years ago! but have a FB act if you can connect there?

Message sent via Messenger!