New electric start conversion

This is the first announcement that there will be a new electric start conversion for the pre MkIII Commandos available this year.

cNw has teamed up with Special Tool Solutions out of Jacksonville, FL to design and manufacture a brand new starter conversion for the kick start Commandos. A big bonus is that John, the owner of STS ('G81 Can Cycle' on this forum) is a Norton enthusiast and owns a few machines. It's so much easier to create these upgrades and modifications when the people involved speak 'Norton'.

Combining STS's capabilities and top quality machining with cNw's pursuit of creating and offering high quality parts, modifications and upgrades for the Commandos, I feel confident that this new system will be something special and that will exceed any expectations for performance, finish and detail

John and I have talked about this for a few months already but decided that it was time to let people know what's coming. There is still a whole lot of work to do and many details to work out. We are in the very early stages of development but both of us have a clear view of what this system will need to do.

We have a few different designs in mind and will determine which one will ultimately be the best for this application. The intention is to make a simple, strong and trouble free set up that will perform for years.

The system will be manufactured in the USA and we will keep a high stock level when completed. In other words, it will be available when you want it. No waiting. The support behind the kit will be what you have come to expect from cNw. It will be sold as an owner install or can certainly be done by a capable shop if you don't want to mess with it. Either way, we will be there to make sure it all goes smoothly.

Our goal is to have the system up and working by the time Barbers vintage days ( http://barbervintagefestival.org/ ) takes place in early October. We will be at the event with a full display. Having said that, there is a possibility that we will have something available at the Norton Nationals in NC in July ( http://nortonrally.com/inoa-rally-2015 )

I know there will be some questions and I wont be able to answer many in regards to the design of the system. We will keep our heads down though and there will be updates along the way.

Thanks

Matt / Colorado Norton Works

http://www.coloradonortonworks.com

Great news Matt!
Made in the USA is always good, and with CNWs reputation, I am certain to be a future customer for this.
Don't forget us belt drive owners!

tomspro said:

Great news Matt!
Made in the USA is always good, and with CNWs reputation, I am certain to be a future customer for this.
Don't forget us belt drive owners!

Click to expand...

+1 belt drives

Please try to keep it at a price point that doesn't require selling any body parts or children

Always good to see competition out there.

This just proves further that there has never been a better time to own and ride a Norton !

I have always like the belt drive option on the Commandos, so that's most likely what we will base the kit on. This also allows us to do some new and exciting things with it

As far as price. We will make sure its competitive. We want you to keep your body parts (but do you really need two Kidneys anyway ?)

Matt / Colorado Norton Works

http://www.coloradonortonworks.com

YAY!!!!!!!

If you have any problems, send it to Australia. We'll fix it!

Well done Matt.

Damn, so I didnt need to build a MK3 after all. Just kidding love my MK3 with CNW starter.

That is exciting news, Matt. I've been looking at options for electric starting on the 1107 I'm putting together for my MK3. Since the Maney crankshaft is not MK3 dimensions on the drive side, I can't use the original system. Not sure the sprags would hold up long anyhow if I could. Please post updates as you finalize the design.

Ken

Matt, will it utilize a Sprag or a Bendix type drive?
Bendix type would be ideal and would give you a strong selling point.

Glen

worntorn said:

Matt, will it utilize a Sprag or a Bendix type drive?
Bendix type would be ideal and would give you a strong selling point.

Glen

Click to expand...

Glen,

I would prefer to make this all work without a sprag as I consider that a weak link. As mentioned, we will look into a few different set ups. The most important thing is that it will be reliable and perform as intended

We just recently talked about a Bendix and considering the experience STS has with that type of design, its very possible this will be the way we go.

Matt / Colorado Norton Works

www.coloradonortonworks.com

Good news for Commando owners, probably not so good news for the Alton guys.
Looking at the prices of the CNW stuff in general, I fear that we will have to take the term 'competitive' with a grain of salt.
Not that the Alton conversion is particularly friendly priced either..

I would sure like to see a 300 watt or maybe larger alternator to go with this unlike the puny 150 on the alton. that would allow us to use some heated gear or other stuff.

Great news, Matt!

P.S. Can't wait to get my new-to-me CNW #72 !! Spring is coming!

Chris

CNW

If it is chain driven like the Alton I will gladly send a sample of the bullet
proof chain I supply to replace the standard product that comes with the
Alton kit.

Also I wish I could come to Barber, I have offered my services with chain talks
but have heard nothing and in my experience chain is the least known item
on bikes apart from the bull...t and hype that "experts" give out.

4 talks booked already this year in UK

Andy

Peter,
We will not cut any corners just to save on cost but I think you will find that it will in fact be aggressively priced. We realize that there is a cost that people are willing to accept with an upgrade like this, and we don't want to price it out of the market

Bill,
We will ensure that there is enough alternator to comfortable charge the battery required for the e-start. How much reserve we'll have over that, not sure. We have to focus on the system itself and not additional accessories initially

Chris,
The 'transformation' of #072 is in the works as we speak. It will really take this machine to the next level.

Andy,
Thanks for the offer but I don't want to use a chain drive for our system. It's our intention to make it all gear driven. Gear design and manufacturing is another specialty of STS and we will take advantage of that

Thanks for the feedback guys,

Matt / Colorado Norton Works

www.coloradonortonworks.com

Matt,
This is good news. From my point of view & probably quite a few others, a set up that does not rely on the primary chaincase would be great. This way those of us who are using racing type D.S. crankcases with no provision for bolting up the inner primary case can have electric start. Bendix type would be good. It has always worked well on BMWs.
Martyn.

Weird this but after 2-3 years Alton have just e-mailed for prices !!!!!!!!!!!

I am glad someone has seen the sense in doing away with a device used in overdrive units and auto transmissions. The Bendix idea is not my idea of a good option either.
Pre engagement is the only way to go. The reduction gears required seem to be the problem that I see. I have been thinking about it so hopefully I wont have to wreck my brain after all.

Good luck and all the best Matt. This looks like a good year for Norton Commandos.

Dereck

Matchless said:

Matt,
This is good news. From my point of view & probably quite a few others, a set up that does not rely on the primary chaincase would be great. This way those of us who are using racing type D.S. crankcases with no provision for bolting up the inner primary case can have electric start. Bendix type would be good. It has always worked well on BMWs.
Martyn.

Click to expand...

Martyn,

Sorry to say but we will most definitely have an inner primary chain case that will be a major part of making the system work. This will most likely be a CNC machined case as opposed to a cast piece.

Matt / Colorado Norton Works

www.coloradonortonworks.com