John, I appreciate discussing the e-starter venture with Matt @ CNW. It would be nonsense to start a development project when an engineered solution is available which can be tweaked with minor investments. I am talking of the MacCoon e-starter. Even with this favorable starting point, I reckon start-up costs will exceed $50,000 and 100 kits need to be sold to break even. It's a tough venture. Broadening the offering to include pre-Commando models may help reach the target but this will increase development costs further still. -Knut
Well we know that there aren't that many Matchless singles and twins left. So yeah the cost and the potential number of units sold would make the project unfeasible. Matt at CNW get $2,500 per unit and has sold around 200 and hasn't broken even isn't a good sign.
Yes, I am. Picked up a part for Rick Taylor that is to big to mail and I will take it to him in Davenport over Labor Day. John in Texas
Re previous posts I know Steve Mcfarlen (not well) who does the BSA conversion his shop is about 10 miles from me I will call on him and see what his attitude is to AMC starter conversion I know I would like one for my 18s
Good luck. McFarlan is a BSA entgusiast and I'd be surprised to see him turning his attention to AMC bikes. The BSA kit fits dynamo equipped BSA A7/A10 models only. Why doesn't he offer a kit for A50/A65 alternator-equipped twins? Answer: Too complicated without offering a new left side crancase (due to being a unit engine) which will require a costly machining job to make the timing side crankcase fit. A revised outer primary case will be needed as well. Going this route requires a QPD style starter layout. Richard MacCoon devised an effective yet simple solution along these lines. For a non-unit engine, the essential modification encompasses the primary chaincase only - OEM crankcases are retained. Dynamo equipped AMC single and twin models using pressed steel chaincases (pre 1958) may be converted to the later alternator design. For pre-1957 bikes, an AMC gearbox and AMC clutch internals should be fitted which is a fairly simple exercise. -Knut
Sorry what I meant was his attitude to his patents I thought this was a potential sticking point maybe I got the wrong end of the stick My bike is a 1957 18s (amc, box tin chaincase)
That patent can be disputed anytime. The McFarlan development contains no invention worthy of a patent. Anyway, better not to discuss with him, as he could be mislead to think he is king of the crop. Sleeping dogs are best left asleep. -Knut
