ECT Mod done...

[VanCityValkyrie]

I got curious when I found this on a couple other threads and decided to order the pre-wired kit from Jersey Motorcycle Products. There are also instructions available on how to build it by yourself, but I chose to take the easy route...

What does it do? That's what the manufacturer says:

"Plug-n-Play addon to adjust ignition advance. Increases torque and gives a little more getup-n-go!"

The installation is pretty easy and took me about 20mins.

The area to work on is the right front plastic cover in front/under your tank. Before loosening the tanks screws and lifting it a bit back, mark an area on the cover where you want to drill your hole for the dial later.



You only have to pull back and lift the tank a bit, so you can reach the little screw that is holding on the plastic cover. Use a screwdriver to loosen the screw, then just pull and the screw and insert come out together.



Then pull the plastic cover straight out from the top. It has a little lip that is connected to the slot you can see in the next pic.



Get the wire harnesses out and locate the blue and red one and unplug those.



The blue one wanted to fight with me until I realized that all I have to do is lift the lip a bit and it comes loose.



Then plug in the ECT Mod harness (it only works one way) and screw the dial on to the plastic cover where you drilled a hole already. Use a 1/4" drill.



Here's what it looks like after installation. I almost drilled the hole too close to the tank, but it works all fine.



Before putting it all back together, make sure it all works fine.
Start the bike, put it in gear and then turn the dial to the lowest and highest location. If there is a change in rpm, it's installed and working correctly.

Curious to see if I can feel any difference on the ride later. Apparently it can also improve cold starts and lower fuel consumption. I guess I'll find out...

Have an awesome long weekend everyone!

Christian

[gordonv]

Nice post.

It's a good mod. But the IS already has it built into it's ICM, so it's for the other bikes only, it shouldn't be added to the IS.

[msb]

You gotta wash those dried bugs of your tank, Christian    

[98valk]

Nice post.

It's a good mod. But they IS already has it built into it's ICM, so it's for the other bikes only, it shouldn't be added to the IS.

that is incorrect.
   the I/S ICM just has a faster advance and about four more degrees up to 3k rpms.
After 3k rpms the curve/advance are exactly the same for both units. The std ICM doesn't provide the same amount of advance until 4100 rpms.
The cold advance curve is the same for both units.
The I/S unit with the ECT will only be a few more degrees of advance compared to the other models ICM.
after the engine is warmed up the ECT mod at full advance should only be used at 2k rpms and higher.
The ICMs for all models are terrible esp if one wants max mpg and power.
The dyna ignition with a modified TW for six degrees is better for mpg but still doesn't provide enough advance for max mpg at hwy speeds. This is the setup I have and when/if I add the ECT mod will add an additional 5 degrees of advance at 3k rpms which tampers down to zero advance at 3500 rpms.
I wish I was better at electronics so I could use the Goldwing GL1500 ICM which is much better with, multiply ignition maps and vacuum advance for best mpg and HP.  The GL1200 used a similar unit.
Honda really, really cheapped out on the Valkyrie when it comes to the ICM.

this is the std/tourer ignition curves. for some reason the I/S curve is not there. probably because the person coping it didn't bother to turnover the graph page since the I/S graph is on the other side.
http://www.dynaonline.com/skins/downloads/instruct/D3K1-1RevD.pdf

[gordonv]

Goldwing GL1500 ICM which is much better with, multiply ignition maps and vacuum advance for best mpg and HP.

? The GW ICM is better? Might be worth looking at.

Wouldn't be as easy as mapping the wiring for the GW and the Valkyrie, then make an adapter for the 2.

[98valk]

Goldwing GL1500 ICM which is much better with, multiply ignition maps and vacuum advance for best mpg and HP.

? The GW ICM is better? Might be worth looking at.

Wouldn't be as easy as mapping the wiring for the GW and the Valkyrie, then make an adapter for the 2.

however the ICM is looking for other inputs, intake air temp, gear selection, etc. so other sensors would need to be installed and a few inputs would have to be jumped out.
more advance at hwy part throttle greatly increases mpg.
https://www.goldwingfacts.com/threads/gl1500-ecm-ignition-timing.320266/

[gordonv]

I've been looking into it. The ECU (ICM) pins.

Ignition coil (primary, 5-6)      YEL/RED (6P-WHT) and BLK/WHT (6P-WHT)            2.6-3.2 Ohms (20°C/68°F)
(primary, 3-4)                      YEL/BLU (6P-WHT) and BLK/WHT (6P-WHT)
(primary, 1-2)                      YEl/WHT (6P-WHT) and BLK/WHT (6P-WHT)
Ground line                          GRN (6P-WHT) and body ground                            CONTINUITY
Battery voltage input             BLK/WHT (+) (6P-WHT) and ground (-) with the      Battery voltage should register
                                         ignition switch ON and engine stop switch RUN
Pulse generator coil (PC1)      GRN/BLK (2P-BLU) and WHT/YEL (9P-BLK)               400-500 Ohms (20°C/68°F)
(PC 2)                                GRN/BLK (2P-BLU) and WHT/BLU (9P·BLK)
Side stand switch                 GRN/WHT (4P·RED) (-) and ground (+)                   CONTINUITY with the side stand housed NO CONTINUITY with the side stand applied
Gearshift sensor (Neutral)       LT GRN/RED (4P-RED) (-) and ground (+)               CONTINUITY
(Third gear)                         WHT/RED (6P-WHT) (-) and ground (+)
(Fourth gear)                       RED/WHT (4P-RED) (-) and ground (+)
(Over Drive)                        GRN/ORN (4P-RED) (-) and ground (+)
Tw sensor                           PNK/WHT (2P-BLU) and GRN/BLK (2P-BLU)              2.0-3.0 K ohms (20 0 C/68°F) 200-400 Ohms (80°C/176°F)

I've gotten a GW gear switch, which I will install someday when I get a-round-tuit. That looks like half the mod there.

Tw, shows temps in the reading, looks like the temp sensor. IS model has the temp sensor I believe.

So I wonder? What would I get out of it. Looks like it could almost be done as a plug-n-play

[98valk]

the GW ICM  monitors intake manifold pressure (just vacuum connection), coolant temp, engine rpm, intake air temp, and then sends signals to the carburetor solenoids via a carburetor control unit, gear selection for two ignition maps, some articles state it is a three-dimensional map like the cx650 turbo and fuel injected GL1200 bikes used because it is also using the sensors for the carburetors.
that is all from magazine articles when the GW1500 first arrived.