As way of a comparison the magneto on the Triumph was sent off for a rebuild the theory being I wanted something that was better to start than the Norton..... The Triumph mag had a broken winding so had got progressively worse to start which sent me down the rebuild path. Ok so when it was refitted it was like a new bike popped every time and once I hade the technique starts almost every time.
Back to the Norton which had been pushed to the back of the garage as it seemed no matter what I tried it would not kick into life only responding to starter rollers, bearing in mind that I had also had the mag rebuilt as part of the engine rebuild ( not the same guy as the Triumph ).
So out with the Norton mag and following a discussion with the Triumph guy it seemed worth having him have a look, he was all about getting the required spark current at the kicking revs which makes sense - so far its been re-magnetised and is having a rewound armature. I hope to have it back for early January when I can find out if its all been worth it.