Ignition Condenser | Honda CB350 / CB360 / CB450 / CB500T
Your Honda twin idles fine but bogs hard at 5,000 RPM — or your points burn up after just a few hundred miles. Both are classic signs of a failing ignition condenser. This replacement condenser is a direct fit for the CB350, CB360, CB450, and CB500T family of bikes. It's a dual-unit design — two condensers on a common mounting bracket — so one part covers both cylinders. Sold individually.
Why You Need This
The ignition condenser is the most common failure part in the points ignition system. Its job is to keep the ignition coil charged under high speed and prevent the points from arcing and wearing out prematurely. Condensers don't have moving parts, but as an electrical component they decay over time. A failing condenser will let the bike idle OK but cause it to hit a wall and bog hard at around 5,000 RPM. You'll also burn through ignition points far faster — points that should last thousands of miles will pit and crater after just a few hundred.
Specifications
| Spec | Detail |
|---|
| Replaces OEM Part | 30280-292-672, 30280-292-671, 30250-369-004, 30250-369-003, 30280-371-000 |
| Capacitance | 0.24 ±10% µF (Honda factory spec) |
| Fits Models | CB250 / CL250, CB350 (1968–1973), CL350 (1968–1973), SL350 (1969–1973), CB360G/T (1974–1976), CL360 (1974–1975), CJ360T (1976–1977), CJ250T, CB450 (1965–1974), CL450 (1967–1974), CB500T (1975–1976) |
| Sold As | Single unit (dual condenser on common bracket — covers both cylinders) |
Note: The CB350, CB360, and CB450 family of bikes use a condenser that is a single unit containing two condensers on a common mounting bracket. If one side fails, the entire unit must be replaced — you cannot replace just one side.
Installation
Difficulty: Beginner
- Remove the points cover on the left side of the engine.
- Disconnect the old condenser wires from the ignition coils.
- Remove the old condenser from the engine.
- Install the new condenser and reconnect the wires to the ignition coils. Depending on how your bike was configured from the factory, the wire routing may need to be adjusted.
Quick condenser test: With the bike running at idle in a dark environment, watch the ignition points open and close. A bright spark at the points every time they open means that side's condenser is failing. A very small spark every 2–3 seconds is normal. See our help center article: Engine Fires on One Cylinder — Is my Condenser Bad?
Our ignition system troubleshooting video covers how to test the condenser, ignition coil, spark plugs, and points on Honda CB and CL twins.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if my condenser is bad?
The most telling symptom is the bike idles fine but bogs hard or cuts out at around 5,000 RPM. Another sign is points that burn up and pit after just a few hundred miles. You can confirm by running the bike at idle with the points cover off in a dark place — a bright spark at the points every time they open indicates a failing condenser.
Does this condenser cover both cylinders?
Yes. On the CB350, CB360, and CB450 family, the condenser is a single unit with two condensers on a common bracket — one for each cylinder. If one side goes bad, you replace the whole unit.
Should I replace the condenser when I replace my points?
Yes — the condenser is a standard tune-up part. When you replace your ignition points, replace the condenser at the same time. A worn condenser will burn up even brand new points. Our Ignition Rebuild Kits include points, condensers, and spark plug boots together.
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Last updated: March 2026
