Alton E-kit on 1966 Atlas

Hey all. My wife's father recently passed away leaving his 1966 Norton 750 Atlas behind, but in somewhat rough condition. Both my wife and I ride, so I took on the Atlas to restore it and give it to my wife to ride. She's an abnormally strong woman, but still only weighs 110lbs, so the kickstart is not something she'll be able to use easily. I'm wondering if the Alton E-kit will fit on this bike. I know that, despite their similarities, there are some minor and major differences between the 750 Atlas and 750 Commando. But in the limited amount of reading I've done so far, it seems that the primary chain drive is pretty much the same between them. Any insight on this? If it doesn't fit, what is the limiting factor? I have a good deal of experience working on modern sport bikes, so I'm not a complete newb, but obviously still have a lot to learn about this particular platform.

Thank you!

I do believe your magneto is located where the starter would want to be.

The crankshaft to clutch-centre distance is about an inch larger on the Atlas (compared to the Commando) meaning that the primary cases are also longer.
The Atlas primary cases, both inner and outer, are pressed steel and nowhere near as rigid/robust as the cast alloy ones on the Commando.
Not sure what effect these differences may have on potential fitment of Alton to Atlas though.

One option would be to fit Commando primary cases (I did on my '62 500 single in slimline frame). there's a bit of machining/welding to make them fit the engine and you'll need new engine plates as the gearbox will be closer to the engine. It also means the centre stand won't work as there is insufficient space for the spring to go "over-centre".

Cheers
Rob

Paul W. said:

I do believe your magneto is located where the starter would want to be.

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You could mount a Joe Hunt Magneto on the timing cover. That would give you room for the starter, but you would lose the tach drive.

Then if you surmounted all the difficulties outlined by Rob, Reply #3, you could in theory make it work.

I think it is too ambitious a project, not to mention the cost. Best to leave it be and invest the money saved in a more modern E-start bike for the wife.

Slick

robs ss said:

The crankshaft to clutch-centre distance is about an inch larger on the Atlas (compared to the Commando) meaning that the primary cases are also longer.
The Atlas primary cases, both inner and outer, are pressed steel and nowhere near as rigid/robust as the cast alloy ones on the Commando.
Not sure what effect these differences may have on potential fitment of Alton to Atlas though.

One option would be to fit Commando primary cases (I did on my '62 500 single in slimline frame). there's a bit of machining/welding to make them fit the engine and you'll need new engine plates as the gearbox will be closer to the engine. It also means the centre stand won't work as there is insufficient space for the spring to go "over-centre".

Cheers
Rob

Click to expand...

I'll look into that. I don't weld, but I have a buddy who's done a lot of custom Fab work on early 70's CBs, so with enough measurements, that might be possible.

Thank you!

Does anyone offer a kit that works on a ring-gear outside the clutch basket?
I seem to recall seeing one on lcrken's nitrous Norton.
Could be a solution??

Rob

texasSlick said:

You could mount a Joe Hunt Magneto on the timing cover. That would give you room for the starter, but you would lose the tach drive.

Then if you surmounted all the difficulties outlined by Rob, Reply #3, you could in theory make it work.

I think it is too ambitious a project, not to mention the cost. Best to leave it be and invest the money saved in a more modern E-start bike for the wife.

Slick

Click to expand...

I'll look into Magneto relocation. I'm not worried about the tach drive as it's already using a cheap trail tech vapor that pulls RPMs off the coil pulses. That'll get replaced, but likely with another digital unit.

I completely understand your reservations, but I'm no stranger to ambitious projects. They haven't always ended successfully, so I'd just like to know that it's feasible, to some degree at least, before I invest more time into it.

We already have multiple bikes for each of us, and my wife is normally more of a Triumph fan, but like I said, this was her father's bike who just recently passed away. She has an attachment to it already, and if I can make it work for her, I'm going to try.

Thank you!!

There was a video posted herein some time ago showing a power assisted gizmo that attached to the kick start lever. I tried to search it up but no success ..... anyone remember it?

I can appreciate your wife's attachment to her father's bike. If the power assist kicker works, it would be less of a chop job, and more of the bike her father left.

I hope someone can search it up.

Slick

UPDATE: Found it!

https://www.accessnorton.com/NortonCommando/kickstartermagic-so-how-does-this-work.25003/

texasSlick said:

UPDATE: Found it!

Click to expand...

Great memory there Robert!

Hi , I had "heard" somewhere that Hervé Hamon have the idea to make his alton for Dommies .........