electronic ignition conversion for a 67 N/15

zefer

zefer

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Greetings
Has anyone had any experience with doing a electronic ignition system
Conversion with a atlas motor running with a magneto.i just took delivery of my 67 N/15,it's a very nice machine but a bitch to start and everything I'm
Reading about old magnetos leads me to believe that no matter what... It's always going to be a unreliable ignition source,so I want to consider a elect ignition conversion...one that is somewhat hidden,I haven't had a mag/dyno bike in years,do I need to run a battery with any of these systems ? I'm
Way behind the curve here.i was hoping one or more of our forum
Members could shed some light on this,I'm
Also going to go with a single mikuni conversion,I am planning on using this bike so I want a reliable machine that starts and runs proper... I've run
The mikuni on a old 66 atlas with great results and don't see why I wouldn't get the same this time.I also was wanting to know what the oil
Capacity for this bike is.... It had wet sumped on the trip east so I drained the motor and oil
Tank,re filled with 3qts of fresh 20/50 but do not see any dip
Stick,it's returning oil
To the tank just fine when running however I'd like to
Know how you guys check
The level on one of these bikes....lastly the tach is not working,besides pulling the cable out of the tach itself are there any other common failures I should be looking for ? Thanks everyone I hope you all can point me in the right direction
Jeff
 
zefer said:
Greetings
Has anyone had any experience with doing a electronic ignition system
Conversion with a atlas motor running with a magneto.i just took delivery of my 67 N/15,it's a very nice machine but a bitch to start and everything I'm
Reading about old magnetos leads me to believe that no matter what... It's always going to be a unreliable ignition source, Magnetos are the most reliable ignitions, that is why they are used on aircraft. Most of the old K2F mags around are in dire need of a proper rebuild with a modern internal capacitor,so I want to consider a elect ignition conversion...one that is somewhat hidden,I haven't had a mag/dyno bike in years,do I need to run a battery with any of these systems ? You do not need a battery with a magneto, but a small AH battery is helpful to keep the lights bright at idleI'm
Way behind the curve here.i was hoping one or more of our forum
Members could shed some light on this,I'm
Also going to go with a single mikuni conversion,I am planning on using this bike so I want a reliable machine that starts and runs proper... I've run
The mikuni on a old 66 atlas with great results and don't see why I wouldn't get the same this time.If you liked your old Mikuni, you will like one on an N15I also was wanting to know what the oil
Capacity for this bike is....I just fill my oil tank to about 2 inches below the filler neck ... there is no dip stick. I think the oil capacity is about 2 1/2 quarts. It had wet sumped on the trip east so I drained the motor and oil
Tank,re filled with 3qts of fresh 20/50 but do not see any dip
Stick,it's returning oil
To the tank just fine when running however I'd like to
Know how you guys check
The level on one of these bikes....lastly the tach is not working,besides pulling the cable out of the tach itself are there any other common failures I should be looking for ? Thanks everyone I hope you all can point me in the right direction
Jeff
Click to expand...

Slick
 
The worst thing about the magneto is having to remove the timing & primary covers, set up a timing disc, etc.

Once it's all done (by the book), on a rebuilt mag that has a fresh, modern internal cap with properly adjusted new points, it will be faultless for years to come.
 
Do you all
Know if I can buy a replacement magneto
Already redone ,and I'd guess send mine back as a core ,also where can I find a tech article on R&Ring the mag procedure,initial set up and dialing in the timing,I put the single mikuni on today and as always it's a charm
!! However...I must be getting older than I feel,I can not get this bike to start without a squirt of starting fluid,once it's running it is freakin beautiful...maybe I just don't have the ass to put behind the kicker,I've been starting these beasts for the better part of 40 years and I refuse to believe it's me ! Like I said once I juice it with a squirt of ether it's off we go,so
I'll
Hold off on elec ignition,though
I've heard thorspark makes a nice discreet kit.... More later and please let me know what you think about these questions
Jeff
 
Replace the old maggie with a new Joe Hunt maggie and you will never go back to any other ingnition system, the new J/Hs work so well, are so easy to time, are so releiable and first kick every time, yes I love my J/H they are the ducks nuts ignition system, the best thing with maggies, you can run your bike without a battery.

Ashley
 
Whilst I agree with a number of comments here that a well set up mag in good condition should operate without any issues, if you still want to go to electronic ignition it is perfectly feasible, I have a Boyer on my own G15 - a later model than yours that came with points ignition built into the housing which occupies the same position as the mag on your bike. You would need to acquire a points housing and drive gear, which I suspect is easy to find as they were used on all the post- magneto models and on the first Commandos, you will also need two 6volt coils and these would have been mounted facing upwards on a bracket mounted to the two upper frame lugs inboard of the oil tank. You will need to run a decent battery and charging system, some electronic ignitions (Boyer) require a more consistent voltage to run properly than some others (Pazon, Tri Spark). I have had good results with Pazon and only have a Boyer on the G15 because I had it lying around, I will probably change to Pazon when I have the opportunity.

There are one or two companies building electronic ignitions inside old mag bodies, but these are generally quite pricey. Rebuilding a mag is also not cheap and there seems to be fewer people who know how to do it correctly. One option is to buy a used mag and have it rebuilt, then either sell your current unit or have it rebuilt and keep it for a spare.
 
zefer said:
Do you all
Know if I can buy a replacement magneto
Already redone ,and I'd guess send mine back as a core ,also where can I find a tech article on R&Ring the mag procedure,initial set up and dialing in the timing,I put the single mikuni on today and as always it's a charm
!! However...I must be getting older than I feel,I can not get this bike to start without a squirt of starting fluid,once it's running it is freakin beautiful...maybe I just don't have the ass to put behind the kicker,I've been starting these beasts for the better part of 40 years and I refuse to believe it's me ! Like I said once I juice it with a squirt of ether it's off we go,so
I'll
Hold off on elec ignition,though
I've heard thorspark makes a nice discreet kit.... More later and please let me know what you think about these questions
Jeff
Click to expand...

I would send my mag to Doug Wood. He can turn it around in 2 - 3 weeks. Cost is on a par with buying a new EI and coil set up. PM me if you want Doug's email. There is someone on another thread who wants to retrofit a mag to a Commando ..... you have a mag and want to go the other way! IMO, you will not regret keeping your mag.

As far as install, setup and timing, I have a procedure already written, for I have had several prior requests for this info. I will PM or post that info on this forum when you need it.

Slick
 
Thanks for all the feedback guys ,I am leaning towards keeping the bike O.E I think buying a new/reman mag makes the most sense and keeping my mag for a spare.I have good spark as I write this post,can anyone give some perspective as to the starting peculiarities of this machine,I have the big mikuni on and once started it idles and runs great,but I still have to "juice" it with starting fluid to light it off.... I don't know maybe as I said in a earlier post.... Maybe it's me I've lost weight as I'm aging ( 130 lbs) and I just don't have the "ass"'anymore ? My ego sure as shit doesn't want to admitt that though.... Whatever the case may be I think if I eliminate any and all of the mechanical variables and still am having a rough time kick starting it then..... Well....'perhaps I'll
Have to let it go to someone younger and bigger,I tell you what,this is a fine machine,stock pretty,numbers matching unique motorcycle...... Well maybe one of you guys have a theory about it lighting right off with starting fluid ? Another question,right now I am starting it and playing with it and its on a pit bull paddock stand,I can't imagine going thru all this BS on its side stand,I mean this bike is
Leaned over at a scary angle on its side stand ?? I've done side stand mods on my commandos and wonder is there anything that you know of to make it so the lean angle is not so dramatic ? Ok I'll wait for you guys to reply
Jeff
 
I love the way some people start bitching that they have brought a 67 year old, repeat, a 67 year old bike and expect the electrics to work perfectly as when it left the factory-you can bet your shirt that a 67 year old electronic set up won’t be working as good as a 67 year old
magneto :!:
Magnetos are pretty simple to set up, once you understand them-they still fit them to some of those new planes that you see flying around.
There is a points face plate mounted capacitor that you can try, if you think the capacitor has gone.
 
I'm not bitching just trying to understand this system and or if it's me being a somewhat smaller middle age guy vs a stronger younger version of myself,I fully understand and realize that this is a older machine and as such expectations have been adjusted,I am only interested in making sure that it is or can be mechanically as sons as it was when new or at least know that all variables besides me not having the ass to kick it.... Still does not make sense to me that when I hit it with starting fluid it starts right up
and runs great oh and just for the record its 53 years old not 67 LOL hey you guys I'm really glad to have your help and appreciate the feed back
 
Jeff, the fact that it fires up with starter fluid indicates that the spark is good, perhaps the float level of your carbs is too low or it is not getting enough additional fuel when you tickle the carbs. I think your year model has monoblock carbs with no choke mechanism rather than concentrics with a tickler and choke slides. I would fiddle with the carbs a bit and see if this makes a difference. I would also try kicking it with the throttle fully closed and them perhaps with just a little bit of throttle and see if these different positions make any difference.

Regarding side stands and excessive lean, I am right now simply adding some meat to the foot of the stand, I found a 17mm socket to be about the right length for an extension and I am going to weld on a solid piece of steel.

Finally if you find difficulty kicking the bike you could think about putting on a kickstart from an 850 Commando, they are a little longer and might give you the extra leverage you require.
 
I installed the mikuni single carb conversion.... Same deal, needs a squirt of ether then .... Boom
Fires right up and runs like a top,that the reason I was suspect of the "tired" ignition or lack of grunt on my part,I'll put a new set of ignition wires and plugs in it just for preventative reasons and I really can't quantify the age of these parts.... I'll keep after it and let you know
 
kicking it over on the side stand is an invitation to break the side stand mounting clamp (maybe not with 130 pounds), but why risk it?

Agreed with Dave M. If it lights with ether, then the mag is probably OK (at least for now).

Slick
 
dave M said:
Jeff, the fact that it fires up with starter fluid indicates that the spark is good, perhaps the float level of your carbs is too low or it is not getting enough additional fuel when you tickle the carbs. I think your year model has monoblock carbs with no choke mechanism rather than concentrics with a tickler and choke slides. I would fiddle with the carbs a bit and see if this makes a difference. I would also try kicking it with the throttle fully closed and them perhaps with just a little bit of throttle and see if these different positions make any difference.
quote]

Could be a fuel related issue, I always set my pilot jet air screw on each carb with a Colourtune but out side on a warm engine at night ---in the DARK :!: :idea: :shock:

P.S you need to push the tickles on the top of the carb bowls until you finger is wet to start from cold.
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