Best e-start for Pre-MkIII is...

Which is the best e-starter for a Pre-MkIII?

  • Total voters
    29
I was going to vote and then started to reply to posts and never got back to voting which I should
do as this has been a good discussion.

However the question is "which is best" instead of which I have installed or my criteria.
I only know CNW by website and a question as to kickback protection which I posted their answer to when the discussion started.

Do I like the CNW product because of fine machining and getting rid of primary case oil on my clutch? Oh Yes.
But kickback prevention is more important to me than oil on my clutch. And the CNW does not have kickback prevention while cranking according to their reply to me.

My thoughts are that the Alton works really well. The support for me was great when there was a
snag. My biggest concern is kickback protection should the battery voltage drop (which can happen
without one knowing).

It was mentioned that some members with an Alton have had their kickback dowels sheared in regular use (perhaps they have higher compression engines.) The Alton has room to put in 6 dowels but only recommends three to start. If the dowels shear in normal use, one can add additional dowels.
 
DennisMo said:
I was going to vote and then started to reply to posts and never got back to voting which I should
do as this has been a good discussion.

However the question is "which is best" instead of which I have installed or my criteria.
I only know CNW by website and a question as to kickback protection which I posted their answer to when the discussion started.

Do I like the CNW product because of fine machining and getting rid of primary case oil on my clutch? Oh Yes.
But kickback prevention is more important to me than oil on my clutch. And the CNW does not have kickback prevention while cranking according to their reply to me.

My thoughts are that the Alton works really well. The support for me was great when there was a
snag. My biggest concern is kickback protection should the battery voltage drop (which can happen
without one knowing).

It was mentioned that some members with an Alton have had their kickback dowels sheared in regular use (perhaps they have higher compression engines.) The Alton has room to put in 6 dowels but only recommends three to start. If the dowels shear in normal use, one can add additional dowels.
Click to expand...
I have an Alton and a CNW if I where to need another I would buy another Alton
 
grandpaul said:
ANY clutch switch.
Click to expand...
No the Alton doesn't come with a clutch cut out switch
I don't believe the mk 3 commando had a cut out switch?
I'm not sure if any of the starters in your choices have a cutout ?
So what switch do you recommend?
 
baz said:
No the Alton doesn't come with a clutch cut out switch
I don't believe the mk 3 commando had a cut out switch?
I'm not sure if any of the starters in your choices have a cutout ?
So what switch do you recommend?
Click to expand...
Like I said, ANY clutch safety switch you can come up with will be 100% better than NO cutout switch.

As someone somewhere also said, it also relieves that parasitic drag from the clutch and transmission. (perhaps insignificant, but it is something nonetheless).
 
DennisMo said:
I was going to vote and then started to reply to posts and never got back to voting which I should
do as this has been a good discussion.

However the question is "which is best" instead of which I have installed or my criteria.
I only know CNW by website and a question as to kickback protection which I posted their answer to when the discussion started.

Do I like the CNW product because of fine machining and getting rid of primary case oil on my clutch? Oh Yes.
But kickback prevention is more important to me than oil on my clutch. And the CNW does not have kickback prevention while cranking according to their reply to me.

My thoughts are that the Alton works really well. The support for me was great when there was a
snag. My biggest concern is kickback protection should the battery voltage drop (which can happen
without one knowing).

It was mentioned that some members with an Alton have had their kickback dowels sheared in regular use (perhaps they have higher compression engines.) The Alton has room to put in 6 dowels but only recommends three to start. If the dowels shear in normal use, one can add additional dowels.
Click to expand...
I'm confused. Does Alton call the dowels "kickback dowels"? Is it better to take things apart and replace dowels or to just not have the problem to start with? IMHO, there should never be a kickback with a stock electric start bike that is even close to properly setup and even with high compression there should be no issue.

General questions for everyone with the cNw starter: Have you had a failure due to kickback? Have you had any failures? If you did have a failure, did you have any trouble getting help?

Yes, I sound like a cNw "fan boy", but I hate watching the start of more urban legends here!
 
grandpaul said:
Like I said, ANY clutch safety switch you can come up with will be 100% better than NO cutout switch.

As someone somewhere also said, it also relieves that parasitic drag from the clutch and transmission. (perhaps insignificant, but it is something nonetheless).
Click to expand...
Well I guess I could fit a clutch cut switch like they have on a modern bike but I can't really be bothered
I'd be interested to know if anyone has bothered fitting one to any of the retro fitted starters?
 
marshg246 said:
I'm confused. Does Alton call the dowels "kickback dowels"? Is it better to take things apart and replace dowels or to just not have the problem to start with? IMHO, there should never be a kickback with a stock electric start bike that is even close to properly setup and even with high compression there should be no issue.

General questions for everyone with the cNw starter: Have you had a failure due to kickback? Have you had any failures? If you did have a failure, did you have any trouble getting help?

Yes, I sound like a cNw "fan boy", but I hate watching the start of more urban legends here!
Click to expand...
The dowels on the Alton setup are basically a fuse to protect the sprag clutch
I fitted 6 in mine and don't worry about because I have Lucas Rita and it never kicks back
 
I have an Alton and haven't voted. The reason being that I have no experience of any other starter. The only problems I've had with the Alton have been charging problems. The CNW looks good and I like that it keeps the original stator & rotor. The supply issue is a bit concerning though.
 
On aestethics alone, I like the Old Britts starter. I think it has a clean , discrete look with the starter mounted a little further back.

It was a pricey kit when offered but came with a new cradle and cover. Plenty of juice to spin up a 1007 as if the spark plugs were out!

(I bought mine after seeing @lcrken ’s spin over his 1007 effortlessly.)

Does anyone else here have an Old Britts’s starter?

I believe the Norvil one is similar in design.
 
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grandpaul said:
You'd think they'd have wired in a clutch switch to avoid that. That's ridiculous...
Click to expand...
I’m not aware of any of the starter upgrades including a clutch switch. I have thought about fitting one, wiring it would be simple, but I’m not sure how easy it would be to physically fit one to the original switchgear. If your bike has aftermarket switches they may already have provision for a switch.
 
grandpaul said:
PRE MKIII ONLY!

Considering up-front cost, installation/cost, quality of product & instructions, effectiveness, durability, etc.

I set up a poll on fecebook, let's see if this one mirrors it, or produces a different clear leader...

fecebook poll
Click to expand...
Alton for unobtrusive, no experience,CWN for simple robust design and belt, the other two ,no


CNW
grandpaul said:
PRE MKIII ONLY!

Considering up-front cost, installation/cost, quality of product & instructions, effectiveness, durability, etc.

I set up a poll on fecebook, let's see if this one mirrors it, or produces a different clear leader...

fecebook poll
Click to expand...
I have a CWN I like it simple and strong, looks like shit , Alton could be mistaken for original. The other two?.I have no information. QPD cost me $5350. Australian a battery box and an inner primary cover, oh and us $70 x 3 postage. Don't go there.
 
concours said:
I've been carefully studying the design of all offerings.
It's likely my knees will at some point stop feeling "ten feet tall & bulletproof" and e-start will allow me continue to enjoy my commando.
I have lots of experience with mechanical drives & their design, design shortcomings, compromises & robustness.
I need not buy one to have an opinion. (I'm choosing
Click to expand...

Ian James said:
Alton for unobtrusive, no experience,CWN for simple robust design and belt, the other two ,no


CNW

I have a CWN I like it simple and strong, looks like shit , Alton could be mistaken for original. The other two?.I have no information. QPD cost me $5350. Australian a battery box and an inner primary cover, oh and us $70 x 3 postage. Don't go there.
Click to expand...
Edit and.a gear box cradle
 
I bought my Alton before CNW developed there’s , yes I have had problems, but all ways managed to resolve them . What I like is mine runs a belt drive, and I run a bigger pulley on the front , but there is no option to do this with the CNW kit which is a shame , so I will vote for Alton
 
cliffa said:
I’m not aware of any of the starter upgrades including a clutch switch. I have thought about fitting one, wiring it would be simple, but I’m not sure how easy it would be to physically fit one to the original switchgear. If your bike has aftermarket switches they may already have provision for a switch.
Click to expand...
While a cut out switch can be beneficial, it also renders the kick start option non functional.

Matt
 
cNw said:
While a cut out switch can be beneficial, it also renders the kick start option non functional.

Matt
Click to expand...
Can’t see the issue….

Best e-start for Pre-MkIII is...
 
I was considering this about 3 years ago as I had a Mk2A 850 which I had restored and having a bad right knee for most of my Adult life I kick start with my left knee which is a bit of an act and of late as my left knee was struggling to start the Mk2A so considering the options then available, Alton- there have been a number of charging and drive problems reported on this forum and running the drive off the alternator keyway is not to my liking, as the other options all have a belt drive which I am not a fan of, I found a basket case Mk3 and rebuilt it up dating the starter/ leads ignition, battery etc I now have 5000 miles on it and am happy with my decision.
 
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