750 Electric Start Conversion

Due to some recent medical issues, it has become rather difficult to kickstart my '71 Commando. It's been upgraded to a Mikuni carb and Boyer ignition, but I wonder if anyone has successfully fit an electric start to this bike.
Any thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks,

Frank

electric start upgrades

Hi Frank,
The Kenny Dreer VR880 Nortons were electric start conversions of his own making. I do not know if the needed pieces could be obtained through him any longer, and the chance of finding one of those bikes in a boneyard is nil to zero. You could make the conversion using MKIII parts, either way it would be expensive and a huge project.
The easiest way would be to sell the 750 and purchase an MKIII, even then it will probably need some upgrades to the starter system to be functional (in a modern way).
Good luck with your medical issues, having to deal with Parkinson's myself.
GB

Thanks, GB! I had a feeling it would be a rather involved project, but just thought I'd ask. Another thought I had was fabricating a longer kickstart lever to improve mechanical advantage. Anyone ever done that, I wonder, so I might be able to just purchase or reproduce, rather than design by own.

I considered purchasing a MK III, but I'm pretty emotionally attached to this one, having bought it as a "rat bike" and done most of the (admittedly amateur) refurbishing myself. Funny, because I bought a 2006 Triumph Bonnie this past year and, while I love it, it's just not a Norton Commando, if that makes any sense.

Thanks for taking the time to respond. I really appreciate it!

Best,

Frank

The Mk111 kickstart is longer. It's a bit of an ugly curved thing but it might help. The only feasible electric option that I can see is a Mk111 motor but that is a bit drastic and expensive.

I suppose that lowering the compression with a plate under the cylinders would probably help and a belt conversion would allow you to choose a reduced kickstart gearing.

Thanks for the MkIII tip..I'll look into it. I'm fairly new to this forum, as is probably obvious....bet I could have saved myself a bunch of time in this project if i had tapped into this sooner.

Thanks again!

Frank

Thanks for the MkIII tip..I'll look into it. I'm fairly new to this forum, as is probably obvious....bet I could have saved myself a bunch of time in this project if i had tapped into this sooner.

Thanks again!

Frank

bustedknuckle1 said:

Funny, because I bought a 2006 Triumph Bonnie this past year and, while I love it, it's just not a Norton Commando, if that makes any sense

Frank

Click to expand...

That makes all kinds of sense, believe me!

As one '71 Commando rider to another, here's hoping you find a way to keep the old girl in the wind.

Cheers,
Bruce

I've just read about an interesting conversion to electric start done to a Royal Enfield.
I have scanned the "Real Classic" magasine article but I'm not sure how to get it across to you.
unless you give me your e-mail address
Geoff

Could you shoot me a copy of that article at bob@bluepoppy.com? As a Royal Enfield fan I'd appreciate that.

Thanks.

Geoff,

Thanks for thinking of me. The Royal Enfield article is certainly worth a look...my email address is : fjm1221@aol.com
Thanks, again!

Best,

Frank