Joe Hunt Magneto

Is anyone running one of Joe Hunt's Magneto's on their commando? He has it available and I'm just wondering who has run one or is running one. The search function provided me with only a dead fleabay link.

I don't believe that mag has an advance mechanism...

...for what it's worth.

But an Advance-retard mechanism can be fitted and there are some plans in the works to build an belt drive tower that puts the mag in front of the jugs instead of hanging out in the wind. Stay tuned. Fitting up a good K-2 should also be possible. Points elimination is also possible via some new kitting. It's being worked on...

Why not just retrofit an old mag drive behind the cylinders and install an electronic retrofit kit?

Because of the complications driving it. Simple retro-fit right off the cam into a timing belt cog.

I have an old joe hunt mag that I've been considering trying to mount and drive like the old K2 mags. They stick out too far off the side of the cam for my liking.

I'm curious as to how much horse power they draw. At least the joe hunt units are fairly slight in construction but if you are already turning an alternator is a mag worth it.

I have a Joe Hunt magneto on my other 850 Norton. Mine is mounted on the back of the timing chest where the Atlas and early Commando points were. It is run by the same gears and chain as these bikes were. What looks like a standard auto advance unit is fitted . It looks like the the conversion was done using pretty much standard Norton stuff. It started well from cold (36mm Dell'Orto pumper carbs) but was a pig when hot. Once I'd got it back home after a couple of thousand kilometres of riding down the east coast (of Australia) I fiddled with the carbs (should have done it sooner) and it would start first time, every time, hot or cold. Unfortunately, it seized on me (PO didn't seem to make many intelligent choices in his engine building) and it's been sitting, with the engine rebuilt (920 with a PW3 cam) waiting for an available new head. The head will be available in the next few weeks and I should have it back together in the coming months. So, in a nutshell, my experience with it has been positive and I'm looking forward to getting it back on the road. It's a bit fiddly getting at it (no worse than the original stuff ) but apart from the PO not having stuff like the timing number plate in the primary case, I just used a degree wheel for timing, which was no great chore. Not set and forget like an electronic ignition ( I just fitted a Tri-Spark ignition to replace the old Boyer on my other 850. Heaven.) but I have no desire to change. The thought of changing to a pointless setup sounds great. I'll keep an eye on that. Also, if you have a Joe Lucas moment (complete electrical meltdown!) you can still get home! Fantastic.

Oh, and mine doesn't run an alternator. Just total loss as it was originally built to race. I only run it because it was on the bike when I bought it. I would see it as a waste of time and money to retrofit. I ran into a guy with one of these on a Triumph Bonny and he praised it. Reckoned it was dead reliable. Of course, the timing slipped a couple of hundred miles later. Cursed me, he did. But, simple enough to put right. I'm happy with it.

Alot of great input gents. But I think that my leg will be in the way with the foward controls. I'm gonna hold off as I have a tendency to sell bikes off after I finish them in search of the next project.

Fullauto said:

I have a Joe Hunt magneto on my other 850 Norton. Mine is mounted on the back of the timing chest where the Atlas and early Commando points were. It is run by the same gears and chain as these bikes were. What looks like a standard auto advance unit is fitted . It looks like the the conversion was done using pretty much standard Norton stuff.

Click to expand...

If you get a chance could you post some pics. I'd like to see how it sits in there.

Sure. But it won't be for a while. The bottom half of the engine is in Perth, some 420kms away. However, when I get the chance, I'll post some.