I found an adjustable CDI unit that worked for me, and posted it in the Templar Resource guide sticky (post #9). It includes a video. Here it is:
https://www.chinariders.net/showpost...35&postcount=9
I have the AC CDI in my 5 speed Templar X (first gen), but my 6 speed had a DC CDI. Testing to figure out which you have is described in this post.
Advance keys are FIXED, and advance at idle (kick back). But my AC CDI has no advance at idle. It starts easy. I think most electronic CDI units do this. Advance is based on frequency of trigger (rpm), so it can be advanced on a curve based on rpm.
I imagine that you got the right kind (DC), but you can verify that the (original) CDI is getting 12V when you turn on the ignition. This probably doesn't explain the shorting out though. Maybe you got a faulty unit. Can you use a multimeter (ohmeter mode) to check which wires connect to the housing (grounded)??