Interesting Commando Alternator Conversion

lcrken · Nov 20, 2018

Just saw this conversion using a Toyota alternator on an eBay just posted on the forum.

Interesting Commando Alternator Conversion

Ken

Deets55 · Nov 20, 2018

Pretty interesting exercise, but IMHO hardly worth the work. Unless there is something unique in the primary case.

htown16 · Nov 20, 2018

A solution looking for a problem.

Dutch · Nov 20, 2018

And the electric starter still won't work!

XTINCT · Nov 20, 2018

htown16 said:
A solution looking for a problem.

I agree.
Some guys used to do something similar with the 1200 Goldwings.
How would it work in the rain.

jaydee75 · Nov 20, 2018

Right down there where the Amals can drool onto it.
JD

Deets55 · Nov 20, 2018

XTINCT said:
I agree.
Some guys used to do something similar with the 1200 Goldwings.
How would it work in the rain.

Goes back as far as the GL1000 series. Difference is the GL rotor/stator is deep inside the motor and requires complete disassembly. The cheap fix was the external single wire alternator.

74ok · Nov 20, 2018

just an engine out

Deets55 · Nov 20, 2018

84ok said:
just an engine out

Pm sent

lcrken · Nov 20, 2018

Deets55 said:
Pretty interesting exercise, but IMHO hardly worth the work. Unless there is something unique in the primary case.

It looks like he did it so he could use a wider (40 or 50 mm) belt drive, which doesn't leave room for the alternator, as well as letting him remove the alternator mount posts so he could use a larger front pulley for a better primary drive ratio. At least that's how it looks to me.

Ken

Ken

Deets55 · Nov 20, 2018

Ken,
I’d say your correct.

Pete

Jerry Doe · Nov 20, 2018

That belt looks way too tight

lcrken · Nov 20, 2018

Jerry Doe said:
That belt looks way too tight

It does, doesn't it.

Ken

baz · Nov 21, 2018

The Lucas alternator is pretty good as standard
I always use the 180w on all my bikes
Never really had a problem with it but you absolutely must set up the air gap

xbacksideslider · Nov 21, 2018

Another fascinating thread. Thanks, Ken.

B+Bogus · Nov 22, 2018

A lot of Jap bikes run external alternators which are much smaller and would possibly fit into the distributor/starter orifice with much less drama.

No, I'm not going to try!

Hortons Norton · Nov 22, 2018

I thought this was a joke at first, But I guess if it's working?

baz · Nov 22, 2018

Jerry Doe said:
That belt looks way too tight

It does look tight, also looks like the crank seal is letting by
Or clutch pushrod needs a seal
Or maybe he runs the primary wet?!

texasSlick · Nov 22, 2018

With an alternator like that, he could run lights, siren, and two-way tube type radio!

Slick

lcrken · Nov 23, 2018

I thought it was an interesting approach. The only difficulty is fabricating a drive for the pulley behind the timing cover. Easiest way is probably to just swap in the Atlas primary drive, with it's two chains, but then you don't get to use the Commando style points off the end of the cam. I can see other methods, (think noisy gear drive) but they all require a lot of custom machining to make it happen. Still, it's food for thought. As I recall, comnoz went through all that when he was working on his design to fit a combo starter/alternator in that location.

Ken