PVL IGNITION ADVICE 500 LC

I just ordered a PVL for my 87 500 and was reading that you should only run a non resistor spark plug ?

Anybody else run one of these on a 500,any starting issues?

that's correct. You will need to run the thin wire non-resistor plug. It used to be the NGK B8EV but it has a new number now. If your 500 had the extrenal rotor flywheel you might not like the PVL. They are internal rotor only, like what was found on the CR's. You can use a MZB ignition from Husky-parts.com or have you old moto plate re-wound. Info is on this site under vintage tech tips. I think Tripod is the name of the company. Keep in mind that the PVL will work, just makes the power come on or rev a little too fast for a 500. It will tend to stall easier as well.

Thanks for the info,no such thing as revving too quick in my book,I'll put some crazy glue on my ass so I stay on the seat....LMAO.
They actually make a rotor weight for the internal rotor PVL I'm told.
I had a flywheel weight on my Honda CR500 and hated how it dumbed down the engine at the motocross track but liked how it was in the woods but grew bored with it like that in the woods too.If I wanted something calm I would be riding a 250-430.Actually I bet the 430 would love an internal rotor ignition.

I have the correct spark plug coming in a few days and the new ignition should be here tomorrow.

Did you ever get you pipe back from Rich?

Yes,only took them 5 months to get it right

Let me know how you like it, and what you set your timing at. I'm going to get a pvl for my 85 500. I'm in the same boat as you, I want it to snap harder, it seemed like it took forever to rev up.

Wow, that sucks! Can you tell any differnce from the stock pipe? How does it look?

I'm going to try to get some free time to install it tomorrow,I'll let you know how it turns out.
By the way,what gearing are you running? I'm at 15x53.

I have only ridden it one time since I put the pipe on but it really was not running all that well because of the weak ignition.The pipe I had on before was a husky factory race pipe so I'm not sure if I will gain anything over it.

That is what i'm runing 15x53 and seems like 1st gear is a little too low. I might try to dropping a few teeth in the rear.

Dave,it runs very well with the PVL,a lot more responsive too.

Only problem is it still won't kick start,even with the de-compressor valve on.
I set the timing to 2.2mm

Ok,help me figure this out...
I have a hard time thinking it has something to do with low cranking speed because It won't even light off on the de-compressor.
What else could be the problem

I put a PVL on my 125 Penton (Sachs motor). The motor spins pretty fast when kicking and the PVL works like a charm. I liked it so much I bought one for my 77 Husky 250CR and had nothing but trouble.

I tried all the advise from PVL and all the tricks others suggested, used the correct non-resistor plug, added an extra direct ground wire, retard the timing, advance the timing, change the pilot jet, etc etc, nothing helped.

The PVL worked fine when it ran, but you never knew when it would decide to run. Sometimes I would kick it until I was out of breath and then ten minutes later it would fire up in one or two kicks.

I finally got frustrated with it and put the motoplat back on, been happy ever since.

Any one want to but a slightly used PVL?

I was really interested in the pvl, but not if the bike wont start. is there another light flywheel alternative? I had the sem system on it. I was not going to run lights so I tried lightening the flywheel by removing the outer magnets (I was told they were for the lighting coil) now no spark. Oops. I guess they were required

PVL requires VERY fast crank speed to generate spark. I love them on smaller bikes, or bikes like Pentons that the kicker spins the engine over very fast but on a Maico or a 250+ Husky I'd stay away from them. If you need an aftermarket ignition for a big bore, MZ-B (now called PowerDynamo) is the only way to go, it generates spark even lower RPM than a Motoplat, but they are not cheap.

I'm sending the PVL back and getting the MZB

Did you tap out with the pvl? I'm torn now

Yes,I don't want to waste my time kicking the damn thing,I'll take the loss and move on.I really wish I could make this work because it ran so good.

OK a couple of questions,
did you confirm spark at the low kick speed, most people pull the plug and kick it like a 125
2.2 is farther advanced than where I ran my 500 and 430's and were hard to boot at 2.2 so I rolled them back to 2.0 and was informed 1.9 works better
typically hard to start big bores have to do with the idle circuit, screw your air screw way in and see if it starts, I have been down this road before

Its not a timing or jetting issue, the PVL has to be spun over fast to make spark. I had a '77 Penton 400 with one and it started fine because the KTM primary gearing spins the engine over 5-6 times per kick so you get great crank speed. I have one currently on my '70 440 Maico and its like a 430 Husky, the kicker spins the engine about .75 rotations per kick. Its a nightmare to start. I have them on several Sachs engine 100-125s and they are great, but that engine's kicker also spins the engine very fast. My cousin had a PVL on his '74 Mag, bump started easy, would NOT kick start. The PVL requires too much RPM to reliably generate a spark to be used on any bike that does not a kicker that spins the engine over fast. The MZ-B, while a good bit more expensive than a PVL, generates spark at very low cranking speeds, even lower than a Motoplat.