Durability of AltonElectric Starter

Anybody out there running an Alton electric leg on their Commando? Any problems? How many times have you pressed that magic button?

Thanks for reply as right ankle is really getting arthritic. All else works O.K.

I believe MikeG has an Alton and says it has been terrific for him, hopes he checks in.

I ordered an Alton in May and because of the heavy demand just received it two weeks ago.

It is advertised as a three hour installation and I suppose in a perfect world it might be.

It took me eight hours spread out over 10 days with a major interruption for ordering a new clutch hub center and new friction plates because we discovered those parts were on their last legs when we removed my entire primary including the inner cover.

None of the delays were due to anything Alton related and actually the installation went very straightforward once we had new parts and everything cleaned up. There is an excellent Utube video of an Alton installation if you do a search for it.

I did pick up the specified high output Interstate battery locally, around $100.

We completed the installation this past weekend and as I pushed the start button the motor started immediately, that battery and the Alton supplied starter really SPIN!
An added bonus is having a really strong battery along with the upgraded 150 watt alternator Alton also supplies, I can now ride with my head light on all the time and it is a lot brighter than before. My motor now sounds and runs strong, likely due to the battery cranking out fat sparks.

Anyway, I am delighted! I turn on the petcocks, tickle the Amals and hit the starter very briefly to spin the motor and she starts right away. I can't guess how long this will continue but I am very confident that it will the rest of my life with the Alton as it is very well built, has a multi year warranty, and it is really quite simple enough for me to deal with any issues that might arise in the future. I am really glad I did this.

I have been looking at these electric starters as well. The Alton one is definitely better than the abortion on the Mk III. My only concern is that it appears on both starters the spragg seems to run on the crankshaft bush all the time, hence it must be wearing all the time. [ I could be wrong and it would be nice to know that I am ] If the spragg could retract just like the pawl on the manual kick starter I would be more impressed. This is just the mechanic in me. I know its not possible to fit a Japanese reduction car starter on these bikes because of the leverages involved that require the reduction gears. Wouldn't it be nice though. [ and believe me, I have been thinking about it.] Thank goodness the manual version is still in good working order.
Dereck

I suppose there must be GOOD MkIII e-starter bikes, and BAD ones.

I got a good one. All original and zero issues.

This is neither here nor there for all pre-75 conversation, but just a reply to the previous reference to "abortion" which I disagree with.

I had one installed on my 850 about a year ago and it has worked flawlessly since then. Must be at least 100 starts since the install. No issues, very happy with the decision to install.

Installed mine about ten months ago. I've probably hit the starter button 150 times thus far. No issues.

John B from Bama said:

Anybody out there running an Alton electric leg on their Commando? Any problems? How many times have you pressed that magic button?

Thanks for reply as right ankle is really getting arthritic. All else works O.K.

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Maybe an added question would be to ask for feedback from anyone who has installed the OldBritts starter conversion.
Looks to be a more complex installation than Alton's.
https://www.oldbritts.com/starter.html

They have only been around for a short time so realy no one knows how they will stand up, so only time will tell if they last, a year or two is just a short amount of time and how many miles in that time, how they will stand after say 10 years or more will be the true test of time, the MK111s have been around for nealy 40 years and most are still going with some improvements, will the Alton's last that long, who knows, but more inportant than how many years, how many miles will they last, it all depends on how many miles they clock up, will they last say 100,000 miles, its impossable to say at this time.

I have been kicking my Norton over for 39 years now and it still starts first kick, so I know it stands the time, so like I say only time will tell the true story, so if the Alton is around in 39 years, I be 95 then so I let you all know if they lasted :roll:

Ashley

IMO, the Old Britz design for the starter is the best I have seen, and is similar to what I would have done if I had designed this myself. It works just like and automotive starter, without all the reduction gear bullshit that the ALTON and the Mk III has. The comment that it is more complicated is not correct when referring to the starter system by itself. The procedure to install is more complicated, but you then have a far better starting system.
Dereck

I don't think Fred continued offering the Old Britts conversion, but I could be wrong...

grandpaul said:

I don't think Fred continued offering the Old Britts conversion, but I could be wrong...

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That may be correct but the link I posted came from his site, so if not offered any more he should remove the link.

grandpaul said:

I suppose there must be GOOD MkIII e-starter bikes, and BAD ones.

I got a good one. All original and zero issues.

This is neither here nor there for all pre-75 conversation, but just a reply to the previous reference to "abortion" which I disagree with.

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How many cars and trucks do you see with starters that run through gear sets to a drive that is only as big as the crankshaft rear flange. They run onto a ring gear which is fitted to a large diameter flywheel. I look at things that serve a purpose and have to be robust. So as a mechanic, my vote goes to the old britz design, especially as it has an outrigger brg support for the clutch hub as well.. I would be doing my customers a disservice if I did not say so. Maybe I should not use the word abortion, but at least I can think it.

The Alton seems to be good, I do however supply a lot of replacement chains.

One guy at Netley last week even wanted one with a connecting link for easy
replacement. I did tell him that cons were not available for the "bullet proof"
but instead he purchased a standard cam chain with a link. For my way of thinking
if he was aiming to replace that regularly why not take the time to fit the endless
big pin chain!!!!!!

Andy

PS Alton also appear to resolve problems well and any comments on the chain side
are welcome from my part as I rely on feedback to gain knowledge.