The Sparx 3 phase alternator on my 850 cannot keep the battery charged when riding around town. I have an LED bargraph voltage monitor and at every stop it goes lower and lower. The battery drains faster with the lights on. I have a halogen headlight (55 watts) and Pazon ignition on the bike.

On my 750, I have all the stock Lucas gear - 120 watt alternator, zener, 2MC capacitor, points. I think the headlight is 35 watts but I usually have it turned off. No problems with battery charging. (No voltage monitor either!)

??? - maybe the Sparx kit is defective? Seems to me it should do better than that.

Debby

Size and age of battery?

14 ah, brand new NAPA wet battery. I don't remember the p/n right now, but it's the same as my Suz GS1000 used and it powered the e-start on that bike just fine. I think it's a 14LA2. I was running an older battery (same p/n) and it wouldn't stay charged either. So I ruled out the battery being the cause by fitting the new one. Throw money at the problem until you stumble into the solution or run out of money...

debby wrote:14 ah, brand new NAPA wet battery. I don't remember the p/n right now, but it's the same as my Suz GS1000 used and it powered the e-start on that bike just fine. I think it's a 14LA2. I was running an older battery (same p/n) and it wouldn't stay charged either. So I ruled out the battery being the cause by fitting the new one. Throw money at the problem until you stumble into the solution or run out of money...

As noted you'll need to measure how many volts the battery is getting at various rpms.

What kind of regulator?

Out of curiosity I contacted Hawkshaw (biggest distributer of Alton stuff), asking them about the expected availability. He said he is hoping his first shipment arrives in the fall but demand is high and he already has the first shipment (30) spoken for. I asked him if someone decided they wanted one could they send him a deposit now with the balance to be sent when he received more from Alton. He said no but said if someone is interested to send him an email and he'd notify those folks (in order of emails received) when additional units would be available.

(Started my Commando 4 times today with NO stands! Took a short ride but hardly worth talking about)

I emailed MRC on Friday, as there appears to be a link between MRC and Alton as far as the Commando starter is concerned, and as yet, I haven't received a reply-presumably because it's the weekend, so I expect MRC will also be a major supplier of the Commando kit.

http://www.motorcyclerestorationcompany ... restorers/
Brice Bugna

"Brice is our Alton specialist, He worked with Alton in building alternators and Designing the starter motor conversion kits for Velocettes and Norton Commandos and has superb knowledge of anything electrical. He is also our in house wheel builder."

Debby, Something must be amiss on your system. I have Sparx units on both bikes and and the MKIII has the smaller of the two and it does just fine. The three phase on the 72 runs a halogen and Tri-Spark, Lots of juice. Hope you get it sorted as that must cause a little concern on rides. I guess you are also missing the Lumby rally? Wife just started a new job and I'm in deep depression as we can't make it. Tried to take a ride here and the traffic had me pissed in no time, Damn I wish I was there.

Hi Chuck,

Yes, afraid I have to pass on Lumby. Can't take that much time off work. If only it wasn't so far away. I really enjoyed last year's rally and the one in Utah. Oh well, I'll make it to another one one of these years.

Regarding the Sparx kit, it seems to me that something is not right as well. I'll have to look into it further.

Debby

L.A.B. wrote:I emailed MRC on Friday, as there appears to be a link between MRC and Alton as far as the Commando starter is concerned, and as yet, I haven't received a reply-presumably because it's the weekend, so I expect MRC will also be a major supplier of the Commando kit.

To update, today (Monday) I received a reply from Norman at MRC, who has informed me that although Alton expected to have the kit ready for production in June, he's heard nothing from them so far, however this isn't unusual for Alton apparently, so the starter is still in the pipeline, so to speak.

My buddy just installed an Old Brits starter on a customer's bike. He reports it starts really well and from the pictures it doesn't look too out of place. The downside to one is the installation, it took 30 hours of work which could be trimmed to about 25 hours on another installation, still a long time because the bike has to be litteraly taken apart to replace the cradle and swing arm.

Jean

Jean, regarding your friend's bike pictured above.

The belt for the primary shows on the bottom rung a wedge that the belt rides over.

I have had a belt primary for 12 years, without such a wedge. Is this an auto belt tensioner of sorts?

Or does its purpose have something to do with the electric start mechanism?

Wow, what a highly polished, well put together Commando he has! Everything looks so perfect.

That is a tensioner, they had to fiddle with shims to get the belt tension correct. Why they use a tensioner is because the gearbox is now immobile, it can't move front and back to adjust the belt tension. If you look on Old Brit's site, they show a sheet metal tensioner, this one looks a lot more sturdy.

The customer has a bad right leg, almost all the muscles have melted away from an injury he had over 20 years ago, an ES is the only way for him to get back on his Norton.

Jean

Ah, now I understand. Thanks Jean.

That's an extremely small diameter idler, way outside manufacturers minimum specs.
I'd be surprised if the belt life isn't significantly reduced.

Ouch!! 30 hours labor on top of the $3K price. At $50/hr that's another $1500. I'll bet there won't be many shops getting requests to put that starter in.