condensors

MikeG said:

On the subject of condensors, can anyone tell me why Lucas, in their infinate wisdom, buried tje most failure prone part of a K2F magneto deep enough that total disassembly is required to rrplace it?

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I only read this, but…

Up until the 1940s, the condenser in the magneto had discs of mica film between the conductive plates and these condensers lasted a long time. Inaccessibility didn’t matter too much.

They changed to oiled paper and after that they didn’t last so long.

Friendly tip from an auto parts counterman of 40 plus years: if you see a new condendor out of the box on the counter dont grab it.

Peter Restaino said:

I am going to go with the original points on my 1970 commando restoration but Frank from vintage motorcycle restoration says he will never take in a bike that has points. Is kickbacks the reason ?

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Because some mechanics have it and some don't the skills they should have. Doing real restorations or building race bikes demand a much higher skill level than most have.

Carl H said:

Because some mechanics have it and some don't the skills they should have. Doing real restorations or building race bikes demand a much higher skill level than most have.

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True story.

MexicoMike said:

A "VINTAGE MOTORCYCLE" restorer won't take a bike with points? ???? Sort of like a vintage clock restorer who only accepts quartz clocks!!!

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MikeG said:

On the subject of condensors, can anyone tell me why Lucas, in their infinate wisdom, buried tje most failure prone part of a K2F magneto deep enough that total disassembly is required to rrplace it?

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Why I love my Joe Hunt Magneto everything is under the front cover point, condenser, coil, undo 4 screws on the front cove and it all there and with the 4 rare earth magnets will product a bigger more powerful spark at any speed, one kick every time for starting even set at full advance, no kick back and once the bike has warmed up will fire 1/2 way through the kick even doing lazy kicks, long life out of spark plugs and my Norton has ran the best it ever has in the 50 years of ownership and no worries with flat battery or failed battery all independent to the electrical system.

I like the idea of a mag but costly

I think Frank is in his eighties and still puts in a full day. Maybe he will see this and tell us why he wont work on points bikes.

Peter Restaino said:

I think Frank is in his eighties and still puts in a full day. Maybe he will see this and tell us why he wont work on points bikes.

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His garage, his rules.

Can't believe it's true - makes NO sense to me. If you received a vintage bike to restore it would be expected to have points. I can understand a vintage mech saying a bike wouldn't leave the shop with points installed rather than an E-ignition but not taking one in with points and claiming to be a vintage bike restorer seems, well..pointless!

Further - personal opinion - I would have absolutely no issue with running points on a vintage bike. In fact I REMOVED the E-ignition that had been fitted on my '76 Honda CB400F shortly after buying it and installed the oem points. Yes, it runs better with the OEM system rather than the EI. No, I have no idea why but test acceleration times don't lie... OK, rant over...

Peter Restaino said:

I like the idea of a mag but costly

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Costly but worth every $$$$, but every upgrade to our bikes can be costly and even cost us more here with our Aussie $$$, but in 15+ years with the Joe Hunt I haven't touched it yet with over 40K miles on it still original point, I pull the front cover of it every oil change and put a few drops of STP on the lube felt for the point cam and to check on the point so far point is still good, when running good I leave things alone, starts first kick every time.