OldBritts Starter
- Thread starter rx7171
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nortonspeed
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rx7171 said:
Really who wants an OldBritts e-start conversion now the Alton e-start is available
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Really who wants an OldBritts e-start conversion now the Alton e-start is available [/quote]
Care to elaborate as to why the Alton would be better. No dog in this fight, but statements like that should be supported with some insight or personal experience.
[/quote]Care to elaborate as to why the Alton would be better. No dog in this fight, but statements like that should be supported with some insight or personal experience.
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I don't have an OB starter but I was seriously interested in one and exchanged messages with Fred at OB but I ended up buying the Alton.
The primary reasons for my decision were:
1 I don't want a belt drive and that's part of the OB system
2 I want to use the oem air box; the OB system requires a change to a KN or other filter
3 The Alton kit is quite simple to install OR to remove. The OB starter is a major bit of work and requires modification to some oem items. If I remember right (which I may not) something has to be sent to Fred for modification. Check to be sure on that.
4 Because the OB starter kit includes the belt drive conversion, it is considerably more expensive than the Alton.
Based on a lot of dealings with OB, I have no doubt that the starter system is absolutely superb and I had no questions/concerns whatsoever re that. It all boiled down to what was important to me. Obviously others may have different views re what is important.
The primary reasons for my decision were:
1 I don't want a belt drive and that's part of the OB system
2 I want to use the oem air box; the OB system requires a change to a KN or other filter
3 The Alton kit is quite simple to install OR to remove. The OB starter is a major bit of work and requires modification to some oem items. If I remember right (which I may not) something has to be sent to Fred for modification. Check to be sure on that.
4 Because the OB starter kit includes the belt drive conversion, it is considerably more expensive than the Alton.
Based on a lot of dealings with OB, I have no doubt that the starter system is absolutely superb and I had no questions/concerns whatsoever re that. It all boiled down to what was important to me. Obviously others may have different views re what is important.
I have an Alton with RGM belt drive an I would recommend both to anybody. If you do want to use a belt drive contact Alton an in some cases as with mine they can supply different spacers as necessary. Their kit is easy to fit and no modifications to the bike are needed.
I'm biased so take everything with a grain of salt.
The OB starter is based on the QPD design, it is well made and it works very well BUT it requires major modifications to the inner primary chaincase and to the engine cradle. The starter kit by itself is about the same price as the Alton and comes with a new belt drive kit. OB needs your primary chaincase and cradle sent to them to be machined an operation that can take a few weeks of turaround. If the work needed to take the bike apart can be done at home, then the costs of either starter system is similar. The OB starter is on the bike for keeps unless the modified parts are replaced with non modified ones. A plus with the OB starter is an outrigger transmission bearing.
The Alton starter can be installed with ease, if you can change the transmission sprocket, you can install one. There are NO modifications to the bike, the starter can be removed, the original parts put back in and no one would know it was ever there. The Alton comes with a new alternator which is a plus. It is NOT compatible with ALL belt drives, depending on the design of the pulleys and the width of the belt, it may not be possible to install the belt however it is fully compatible with a stock triple chain setup which has been proven to work very well.
I don't know what the lead time is on the OB starter, Alton has a hard time keeping up with demand so there is a two month lead time to get one but since installation takes half of a rainy day, you don't have to plan to have your bike strewn all over the garage for weeks.
So there you are, "you takes your money and you takes your choice"
Jean
The OB starter is based on the QPD design, it is well made and it works very well BUT it requires major modifications to the inner primary chaincase and to the engine cradle. The starter kit by itself is about the same price as the Alton and comes with a new belt drive kit. OB needs your primary chaincase and cradle sent to them to be machined an operation that can take a few weeks of turaround. If the work needed to take the bike apart can be done at home, then the costs of either starter system is similar. The OB starter is on the bike for keeps unless the modified parts are replaced with non modified ones. A plus with the OB starter is an outrigger transmission bearing.
The Alton starter can be installed with ease, if you can change the transmission sprocket, you can install one. There are NO modifications to the bike, the starter can be removed, the original parts put back in and no one would know it was ever there. The Alton comes with a new alternator which is a plus. It is NOT compatible with ALL belt drives, depending on the design of the pulleys and the width of the belt, it may not be possible to install the belt however it is fully compatible with a stock triple chain setup which has been proven to work very well.
I don't know what the lead time is on the OB starter, Alton has a hard time keeping up with demand so there is a two month lead time to get one but since installation takes half of a rainy day, you don't have to plan to have your bike strewn all over the garage for weeks.
So there you are, "you takes your money and you takes your choice"
Jean
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- Apr 15, 2009
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I believe the OB system does not use a sprag gear.
I assume the Alton does.
Or what kind of backfire limiting devise the Alton has.
I believe the OB kit now includes the cradle, no need to modify yours.
I assume the Alton does.
Or what kind of backfire limiting devise the Alton has.
I believe the OB kit now includes the cradle, no need to modify yours.
swooshdave said:
The OB starter uses a stock HD Sportster starter, it has a bendix to drive the ring gear on the clutch hub. In th event of a backfire, the bendix just pops off the ring gear.
The Alton starter does indeed use a sprag "gear" (it is actually a big bearing)
The Alton has a rubber damper to absorb the eventual backfire and the gearing is such that the starter can be driven backwards (with no power of course) when a backfire occurs instead of breaking everything.
Good to know the cradle is now in the OB kit, it must be an exchange service though (send the old one back)
Jean
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