Searching for a CDI for my friend's 1998 300, Mainline Cycle tells me there is a "national back order" (6 months) for this part. What up with that? I don't recall seeing anything on this forum about it, did I miss it? As I understand it this back order applies to 1998, 1999 and 2000 models.

 

300ex? Have you checked eBay?
Many available there right now!

 

Honda has a VERY pissy customer base on the issue you brought up here. I've had several of them on backorder for nearly two years now. Every couple months, one of my customers will get theirs. But I have still not had all my orders filled.

Honda's reason as given to me was that they switched to a Chinese vendor on the part and that the CDIs were simply not up to standard and needed to be "redone". However,..no recall on the many who bought faulty replacement CDIs between 2005 and 2006. The vendor made at least three attempts to correct the problem I was told and finally, Honda had to outsource the entire project to a Japanese company,..yet not the one who originally made the part still. This is the company who is now SLOWLY filling backorders.
I know it all sounds like a bunch of BS but I've been on the phone with Honda over this dozens of times and that's been there only story that I've heard from more than one guy there. May be that no one knows what is going on??? Likely.

Here's something else you can try however,... and I've done this a few times successfully..

Honda made a cooling fan kit for the 300 way back when. With that add on kit, it required the use of another CDI box. The box is the same as the original except for a green wire coming from it. It DOES replace your CDI and all you do is simply tape up the green wire from touching anything. Have your dealer look at the parts grid for optional parts and that's where he will find the optional CDI box listed.
Hope this helps.