Total loss ignition, how does it work?

[bert_is_evil]

Total loss ingnition - tell all! I know (I think) it's where you change the flywheel so it doesn't charge itself, but there endeth my knowledge on the matter.

[mark247]

You get rid of the flywheel which makes it so your engine has to work less to rev up, becuase it isnt having to spin the heavy flywheel.

But you also lose your charging system so you need to charge your batteries before races and preferably have two of them so you can swap them between races.

[bert_is_evil]

So you still start the bike as you would normally but there's nothing charging the battery up? Do most racers run total loss? Must be a bit of competition for the power sockets in the pit garages

[Skunk]

So you still start the bike as you would normally but there's nothing charging the battery up? Do most racers run total loss? Must be a bit of competition for the power sockets in the pit garages

Starting is usually bump or roller start to save battery power, and correct - nothing charging the battery. I don't know if most run total loss - I did on one bike but changed it.

The other system is to do away with the battery and lighting parts of the charging system and just run enough for the ignition circuit only. No electrics work unless the engine is turning. You have to bump start or use an external battery which is plugged in to start the bike.

[mark247]

The other system is to do away with the battery and lighting parts of the charging system and just run enough for the ignition circuit only. No electrics work unless the engine is turning. You have to bump start or use an external battery which is plugged in to start the bike.

What's the point of that? To save weight? Because my understanding is the main reason for total loss is to lose the flywheel so you can rev more.. I have been told in F3 with the VFR400's having no flywheel makes a noticable difference.

[Skunk]

What's the point of that? To save weight? Because my understanding is the main reason for total loss is to lose the flywheel so you can rev more.. I have been told in F3 with the VFR400's having no flywheel makes a noticable difference.

You don't get more revs just a faster spin up so it depends on the original flywheel and weight of the bike etc as to which gives the greater effective 'horsepower' gain. One method reduces overall weight, the other reduces 'drag' on the engine.

Depends on the bike as to which is the best method. Most bigger bikes go for total loss, smaller two strokers go for keeping (but lightening) the flywheel and do away with the battery. eg, some Honda RS125's.

[hmmmnz]

pritty much as skunk has said really,
it also makes things very simple, especially if you have a points operated bike,
you can get the wiring down to about 3 wires
ditching the flywheel isnt always a good thing,
sometimes you need that weight to hold your speed, especially on some of the small capacity smokeys

[craisin]

Total loss ingnition - tell all! I know (I think) it's where you change the flywheel so it doesn't charge itself, but there endeth my knowledge on the matter.

hoe does it worknot very well

[craisin]

^^^sorry it was late I quoted the wrong person and the spelling hoe was meant to be how

[sinfull]

Depends on the bike as to which is the best method. Most bigger bikes go for total loss, smaller two strokers go for keeping (but lightening) the flywheel and do away with the battery. eg, some Honda RS125's.

As i understand it where you may gain in easier revs you lose in your launch ability at the start so lightening can give a happy medium ?

[craisin]

well I am hoping to use the standard magnetic trigger on one of my chinese 4 strokes to trigger a car electronic ignition and coil. A have a lumenition power module is capable of throwing one inch long sparks I have a bosch GT40 coil long-term project no money spent