Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

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I like magnetos because they're self-contained and I'll never understand why some people replace them on earlier Nortons. However, the only correct location for a mag on a post-1930 Norton is behind the cylinder (on the inside). Converting the Commando back to a two-chain engine should be possible.

The Commando timing chest (the rear part of which was pretty much redundant from 1969 onwards but they kept it anyway) is such a strong styling statement that anything which destroys the line amounts to sacrilege in my opinion.

If there was no alternative then I might just consider it, but there are plenty. Possibly though, the 'Joe Hunt' (Is that rhyming slang ? :shock: ) might have some special cultural significance to some in the U.S.
 
Don't much understand how it needs no real advance curve but real interesting stuff. Agree with it interfering with the timing cover side looks ,unless you like that. Just the artist in me. Soft snap off bolts seems real smart. Cheap outercovers for it too. 28 for best starting I like. It's really interesting.
 
'I like magnetos because they're self-contained and I'll never understand why some people replace them on earlier Nortons.'

I like magnetos too, as long as they are the rotating magnet type. I've even thought of machining my commando cases to fit a Lucas SR magneto, however a Boyer with a double ended coil is easier, even if it means carrying a battery. There is nothing worse than driving hundreds of miles to a race meeting after paying entry fees etc. then have the magneto starting to miss during the practice sessions. Lucas K2F, and BTH - stick 'em where the sun don't shine !
 
I once saw a 125cc MV Bialbero with the magneto sticking out like that Joe Hunt. I wouldn't have that on my bike. I've got some really bad crashing habits. How could you race seriously worrying about that getting damaged ? Normally, you can pick the bike up after a crash, kick it straight , and continue on your merry way stupid as ever.
 
I love the look of it but even more than that I love the fact that it is isolated spark.
To me the look says "fark off I'm not pissin about with your fancy arse electric crap that's gonna leave me on the side of the road-again" it's functionality pretty much says the same!!!
Seriously though, some of us have many issues with EI units and even points setup. I have personally been through 3 trispark units and am on my first boyer and that has not been without issue. I can't explain why the trips park failed me and neither could trispark themselves. That is why they were replaced. At some point you lose confidence in that style of setup. It's personal experience that leads you there and the maggie is rudimentary, mechanical, and reliable.
I don't begrudge someone using EI's in fact I truly wish them a great experience. Mine has been terrible hence my desire to go that way.
I would go for the ARD but part replacement would be an absolute nightmare I believe so I've gravitated to the Hunt and see it for what it is.
 
Everyone has their opion on the Joe Hunt hanging out and that cool, as for me I like it and I love what it does and so simple to set up, I ran a Joe Hunt on my 82 Triumph Thunderbird for 9 years and 250,000 kys without any trouble at all with it, so when I had the money to invest in one for my Norton I didn't even think twice about it and the new Joe Hunts with the 4 rare earth magnets with more amps and voltage to porduce the best spark ever. when I crack open the throttle it responds straight away with out any hesitation at all, the hardest part is keeping my front wheel on the road when taking off, with Jims flatslide carbies and the Joe Hunt these 2 produces work so well together, so hopefully I will have trouble free riding till the day I die :D

Ashley
 
I think I'm seeing a pattern with people whose bikes have Electronic Ignition failures - they typically suffer MULTIPLE failures. maybe I'm seeing things...
 
I have to agree on the idea of mounting the mag behind the cylinder. Better get Comnoz busy on another conversion kit! Timing gears, and a drive for the mag off the proper location on the timing cover...hmmm.

Russ
 
I've got my breather moved. Any chance of mounting one of those behind the timing cover near that old breather location. I thought I might have seen one like that once. Would really look better.
 
Snorton74 said:
I've got my breather moved. Any chance of mounting one of those behind the timing cover near that old breather location. I thought I might have seen one like that once. Would really look better.
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That is what that area is meant for. Mags are easy to get for that location. Go here to see the evolution of the cases. http://atlanticgreen.com/engcases.htm

This may require some mild machining and some atlas part to do this. That being said, I am almost curtain that it is posible and i am sure I have seen it before.
 
It can be done, but it requires a bit of work. It takes a little welding buildup on the timing side case and machining the center hole and three mounting screw holes for the mag, a little cutting on the back of the case to clear the mag, an Atlas timing side gear train to drive the mag, and machining out the inside of the timing cover for clearance for the double sprocket and for the cam sprocket and chain, which are now further out in the case. You also have to either swap to an Atlas style cam or make and adapter to allow keeping the Commando cam.

This is a shot of an HPI bike back in the day with a magneto adapted to the later case.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.


This is an older ARD mag with the adaptor plate and hardware to mount it to an Atlas or modified Commando case.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.


This pic shows the Atlas timing side hardware that is needed for the conversion. There are some duplicates in the picture because it was a lot of parts that I sold as a package a while back. The threaded piece at the bottom right with the brazed bolt and the aluminum cup are parts I made to allow me to use a Commando cam.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.


This is a shot of the inside of three different timing covers that were modified to clear the Atlas bits.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.


It's not a trivial modification, but it can be done by anyone with reasonable welding and machining skills and equipment.

Ken
 
Good idea for somebody to produce a kit of parts for the conversion with instructions/drawings of the machining required. I'd love to hang a Lucas SR2 magneto on the back of my motor. The battery is not much trouble, however it is just one more thing to think about before taking the bike out and riding it. Mine has been trickle charging for ages, after sitting for months. If I get serious, I usually buy a new one.
 
lcrken said:
It can be done, but it requires a bit of work. It takes a little welding buildup on the timing side case and machining the center hole and three mounting screw holes for the mag, a little cutting on the back of the case to clear the mag, an Atlas timing side gear train to drive the mag, and machining out the inside of the timing cover for clearance for the double sprocket and for the cam sprocket and chain, which are now further out in the case. You also have to either swap to an Atlas style cam or make and adapter to allow keeping the Commando cam.

This is a shot of an HPI bike back in the day with a magneto adapted to the later case.

Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.


I have a Joe Hunt magneto mounted like that, and just to piss on the magneto lover's fireworks, I've replaced my fifth coil in three years. Since the major attraction of the thing is that it is entirely self reliant, its hard to imagine anything in my particular bike's set up that could be responsible for the lamentable lack of longevity. It is a race bike and averaging, may be, three race weekends: say 150 miles per coil. It's the primary windings that go open circuit every time. I have sent the first three coils back to Joe Hunt to investigate, but they have shown no interest.
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Did you know the spark "size" is totaly UN_IMPORTANT! I have a Velo with a BTH Mag its a new type, the spark is thinner than a spiders web, pale blue...i am advised not to touch it! It's a myth you need a BIg FAT BLUE spark...any spark will light up a petrol/air mix.
When i first fitted the BTH i thought it was faulty, you cannot see the spark in day light.


pete.v said:
Old Bloke said:
Think they look good...... You are all kidding aren't you, it's like the story of the Emperors new clothes all over again! Sorry, Im trolling :?
What does the unit actually do(technically) that makes it worthwhile desecrating the LH side?
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I produces a spark so strong that .......well let's just say that you don't want to get in the middle of it.

It is also a self contained ignition and has nothing to do with the rest of the electrical system. Other than for light and such you will not need the battery, stator, coil(it's internal), no nothing needed. Just drives off the cam and kicks ass. Many use a battery eliminator or a capacitor to run lights and stuff. No more battery. I have a new light weight battery so I will keep it. Read up on magnetos and it will look better and better to you. Not to say that it will ever look good to you, just better. Hence the title of the thread.
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I haven't been riding my Norton much in the last 6 months since buying my new Thruxton but the other day I took it out for a run after 4 weeks rest, the best part is 2 kicks to start, first one to get the fuel up, the second to fire, no worring about a half flat battery, after short warm up perfect idle, instand throttle response, what else can a Norton owner ask for :D

Ashley
 
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