1972 750 Starter Motor

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My first reaction on seeing this eBay sale was that the seller had got completely the wrong information...but...looking at the three point flange fitting...is this one of the mythical development starters designed to strip the timing gears ? Could it be that Lucas got as far as cataloguing a starter motor ? Nortons went so far as modifying their crankcases so presumably the buying department had also ordered electrical parts ?

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/NEW-NORTON-750cc- ... 500wt_1074

It would certainly be a talking point bolted to a '72 motor :?
 
Its not cool, its not for a Commando. That flange does not equate to a K2F mounting. I suspect its the same Lucas device fitted to the Norton Electra in 1964 which also was the same device fitted to the hideous Triumph Bonneville E start of 1981. As its made in India I can assure you its not worth its weight in cow dung.

Mick
 
It is also the same starter used on 72 Comandos. They did not use the K2F bolt pattern . They were just in the same area as the mag. Still worthless. Jim
 
Hi All,
First post 'cos it's something I was involved with, briefly.
The first Commando electric start was designed when Commandoes were built at the Plumstead AMC works. The starter motor was in the usual magneto position, it had a hypocycloidal 80:1 gear reduction (made by a company called VSG Straightline) and then a chain down to the intermediate gear.
Backfire almost always broke the chain and the gear reduction was so inefficient that the battery had to be in top condition to even turn the engine (nothing new there then).
By the time that scheme was abandoned, Lucas had made a production batch of starter motors and the crankcase production included the hole and mounts for the VSG gearbox. Hence the steel blanking plate on the back of the timing chest.
That starter motor would make a good door stop, but doesn't fit any motorcycle sold to the public. If you look closely, it has an eccentric at the end of the shaft, part of the reduction gearbox.
 
marston rhode said:
First post 'cos it's something I was involved with, briefly..
Click to expand...

Welcome to the forum, marston rhode.

And, if you do happen to have any other "factory" Commando anecdotes or interesting accounts about what went on at the AMC or Norton works during the Commando production period that you would be willing to share with us, then I'm sure our members would love to hear them?
_______________________________________


It would appear Norvil Motorcycles also has some of those Lucas starter motors:


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/STARTER-MOTOR-Luc ... 335a78d97b

I believe a similar motor would have been fitted to the BSA Fury/Triumph Bandit 350 models if they had actually made it into production:
http://www.fedrotriple.it/1971_bandit350.html
 
marston rhode said:
Hi All,
First post 'cos it's something I was involved with, briefly.
Click to expand...
First of many I hope. Please tell us more of the things you were involved in. Even if it is as wordy as Hobot's stuff, :lol: I will be sucked in.

And if it promote people to post pictures of gi...... motorcycles like this, all the better. Thanks for the link, L.A.B. :wink:
1972 750 Starter Motor
 
AH!
As my 16 y/o says you got schooled dad!!
Looks like we all got schooled :shock:
Marston Rhode welcome!!!
Some of us 40 somethins were not old enough to enjoy the Norton the first time around.
I'll speak for us; we would love to hear some of the stuff tried at Plumstead and or Wolverhampton in the day.
Enjoy trade secrets 8)
I'm sure the statute of limitations has expired so fire away!
Marshal
 
marston rhode said:
Hi All,

That starter motor would make a good door stop, but doesn't fit any motorcycle sold to the public. If you look closely, it has an eccentric at the end of the shaft, part of the reduction gearbox.
Click to expand...

Nice to have you on the forum. The Plumstead era Commando is somewhat under-documented compared with the later stuff.

I still think that it would be rather jolly to bolt the motor to a Commando with a cable going nowhere, just to watch the experts confusing themselves !
 
I'm betting that Jim's new gear-based cam drive could be easily adapted to employ this starter...
 
Those narrow timing side wheels could never be the correct solution compared with a proper automotive style starter engaging with a clutch ring. The drive side is the correct place for this sort of loading in my opinion.
 
You are correct in saying the stock timing gears are not a good idea. They are made of the finest mahogony available. Good timing gears have no problem with starter torque or kickback. Jim
 
comnoz said:
You are correct in saying the stock timing gears are not a good idea. They are made of the finest mahogony available. Good timing gears have no problem with starter torque or kickback. Jim
Click to expand...

That beats the molded butter that Triumph used on thier magneto drive gears!
 
comnoz said:
You are correct in saying the stock timing gears are not a good idea. They are made of the finest mahogony available. Good timing gears have no problem with starter torque or kickback. Jim
Click to expand...

New e-start kit in the works to go along with your timing gear kit, Jim? :)

I think it would be kind of cool to have one of those Lucas starter motors as a conversation piece. But not at the ebay seller's asking price!

Debby
 
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