cNw electric start on a 920cc Commando engine.

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Fast Eddie

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I thought I’d post this here as I know not everyone reads the rebuild forum (where the nerds hang out).

I recently finished my latest incarnation of the Trident Hunter: 920cc, 10.95:1 compression ratio, Maney cases - crank - race cam - stage 3 head - etc. I also fitted a TTI gearbox.

I knew it was going to be somewhat difficult to start. Unfortunately I was more right than I realised. Whilst you could occasionally get lucky, generally speaking it is incredibly difficult to turn over. I fitted total seal rings too, which don’t help. Kick starting became quite a theatrical affair. It always drew a crowd. And we all know Sods Law which dictates a direct link between number of observers and likelihood of the thing not playing ball...!

I’m over 200lbs, and the effort I needed to put into kicking it over had me genuinely worried that the kickstart, or something, could fail mid kick, probably putting me in A&E!

This was all beginning to detract from the enjoyment of the bike...

So, after some chats with Matt, I decided to invest in something I’d long admired, one of his cNw e-start kits.

First impressions when opening the packaging was WOW! Such attention to detail and exquisite quality.

Due to my bike being so far from stock, fitting was quite an involved job, but I got there in the end. All along I was quite apprehensive, after all, I knew just how dammed difficult it was to turn the engine over, would this kit be man enough?

Well, the day came when I’d got it all fitted and wired up. No more putting it off. Gotta give it a go....

WHIZZZZZZ - ROARRRR !

It spun the bloody thing over as if there were no spark plugs in! I was seriously impressed!

Overall fitting was really quite straightforward, that doesn’t mean simple as it’s quite a big job. But so long as you read through the very detailed instructions a few times, allocate enough time, and get your brain in the right gear, it’s all fairly straightforward.

The kit is clearly made by someone who has fitted many himself, everything is thought of and allowed for. And if you are unsure in any way, Matt replies to emails very quickly, politely, and helpfully.

Overal, a seriously impressive piece of kit.

I’m well chuffed.

cNw electric start on a 920cc Commando engine.
cNw electric start on a 920cc Commando engine.
cNw electric start on a 920cc Commando engine.
cNw electric start on a 920cc Commando engine.
 
Eddie, your bike is beyond words

Edit: what happened to that trick, custom primary cover?
 
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My god Eddie
Think of all the weight you have added to the bike!!!
You should do what I do and carry a 12volt paddock starter with you
 
Great job Nigel - the black plays it down too.

...you are as OCD as me though, so i assume you'll put some black heatshrink over that red connector?
 
My god Eddie
Think of all the weight you have added to the bike!!!
You should do what I do and carry a 12volt paddock starter with you

Baz, I’ve spent my years hitherto removing perfectly good electric starts from Brit bikes! So this is not my normal direction.

The weight aspect has not passed unheeded...

The centre stand has already come back off, there’s 5lbs.

Next will be the kick start and inner gearbox cover related internals.

If my estimations are correct, when I’m done, the net weight gain will be around 9-10lbs.

That’ll make the bike 379-380lbs wet. Still 7-8lbs lighter than it was as an 850.

I could save approx 1.5lbs by using a smaller Shorai battery, but that seems a small saving for a big loss of peace of mind. At the moment at least.

FWIW, I reckon anyone fitting this kit to a stock bike with chain primary and bronze clutch would probably have a net weight saving...
 
Baz, I’ve spent my years hitherto removing perfectly good electric starts from Brit bikes! So this is not my normal direction.

The weight aspect has not passed unheeded...

The centre stand has already come back off, there’s 5lbs.

Next will be the kick start and inner gearbox cover related internals.

If my estimations are correct, when I’m done, the net weight gain will be around 9-10lbs.

That’ll make the bike 379-380lbs wet. Still 7-8lbs lighter than it was as an 850.

I could save approx 1.5lbs by using a smaller Shorai battery, but that seems a small saving for a big loss of peace of mind. At the moment at least.

FWIW, I reckon anyone fitting this kit to a stock bike with chain primary and bronze clutch would probably have a net weight saving...
Yep I know the feeling as everything I did to my commando was to save weight (unsprung and sprung) but with a heavy heart and a knackered knee I fitted an Alton starter
I don't notice the extra weight to be honest but my brain knows it's there
Cheers
 
My god Eddie
Think of all the weight you have added to the bike!!!
You should do what I do and carry a 12volt paddock starter with you
That's what Kevin Atherton does with his XR750 streetbike. It's amazing how much power a handful of electric motor can produce.

cNw electric start on a 920cc Commando engine.
 
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That's what Kevin Atherton does with his XR750 streetbike. It's amazing how much power a handful of electric motor can produce.
I was joking actually
But I have seen that before on the Harley, it does look good
 
The bike is just stunning and I echo what Danno has said about it.
I hope you've sent a picture or two to Alan.
sam
 
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