will my '70 norton start with a dead battery?

hey, at my age (65) i'm too old to worry about looking dumb.

been looking dumb for years.

thx,
goo



got a metal tank which was painted black so i had the side panels done in black. (everything started out green). black is probably not proper, like i care.

If your alternator is strong and your capacitor is good - I would say that looking at your picture you should be able to start it. Jim

Of course all bets are off if you have electronic ignition.

goo said:

got a metal tank which was painted black so i had the side panels done in black. (everything started out green). black is probably not proper, like i care.

Click to expand...

Didn't ya know? Once you go black you never go.......wait....uuuhhhhh........oh, nevermind!!

If the dead battery is removed from the harness and points ignition and good magnets and good connections and blue can ok but no Resistance plugs, caps or leads, as per original design, plus proper carb and choke or tickle function, then sure it should fire off by a swift kick from a dumb old fit runner with an attitude. For sure if pushed off to running speed in 2nd or 3rd on good surface to hop on and release clutch. Electro brain ignitions on dead or sans battery can fire off at below 20 mph baarly. so may need a tow off by car or truck if no downhill path convenient. But don't let your meat loaf on keeping voltage rpms up once fired up. I just went through this on a Combat and got decreasing ease to start, ie: would fire maybe twice and run but battery won't take a charge so died out w/o blipping enough and then wouldn't start with the battery drain inline. When on Texas trip this Combat lost a charging wire that stalled the points system and I couldn't kick it off so had to push up a slight incline to get to 15-ish mph to start. So if feeling your oats let us know what happens.

Well thar "goo" ... sure hope I can still run at 65, I'm impressed ! At 51, runnin' 2 miles kicks my butt. I agree with the above comments about starting without a battery. I removed mine and just depend on the big blue capacitor. However, my charging system is good, and I don't run the lights on unless I'm riding on the highway. Ya know, I actually prefer my Brit bikes with the OEM points ignition.

As far as black, I LUV black, ya just can't go wrong with the Black and Gold pinstripe on a Norton. BTW, is your metal tank one of the already painted Indian reproductions ??? (from Burton bike bits maybe ???) Looks decent to me. Cheers. 8)

re:, is your metal tank one of the already painted Indian re

yeah, it is.. it did have minor fit issues but jack manning at classic bike eexperience in essex, vermont worked some magic.
its the second tank. first wacky packy tank was way off. ella at old brits took it back no problem.

also,
re:
"Of course all bets are off if you have electronic ignition."

which is what i have....... so it won't start with a weak/deeceased battery?

Looking good goo, body and bike.
Gee everybody liked the green bike except you, apparently.
Yeah, 'run' down the street and get a new battery mate, E.I.s like strong power to make good sparks.
I see you'r a fan of Art, I call my bike Ed because sometimes I feel like.... "Pow, right in the kisser".
What was Eds wifes name.?
AC.

Re: re:, is your metal tank one of the already painted India

goo said:

yeah, it is.. it did have minor fit issues but jack manning at classic bike eexperience in essex, vermont worked some magic.
its the second tank. first wacky packy tank was way off. ella at old brits took it back no problem.

also,
re:
"Of course all bets are off if you have electronic ignition."

which is what i have....... so it won't start with a weak/deeceased battery?

Click to expand...

It might but it will be tougher. It likely would with a brisk push.

If the battery is dead and you can't coax it to life with a trickle charger then I would disconnect it so it doesn't soak up the small amount of juice you can create by kicking or pushing. Jim

Trixie, same as hobot's bike.

Yeah, the green was awesome but I've always liked black too. A battery charger is a worthwhile investment.

One of the leads fell off my battery while running one day with Pazon. Didn't know what was wrong, but it was real funny at low speeds (not charging much). I doubt if you can start it without battery and EI, unless you run it down a big hill.

I used to run mine all the time with points and no bat, but when I got it back together in 08, couldn't do it although I could see spark. If you have a good cap, points and new rotor it might. It doesn't take much of a battery, even a 2AH will get it going with EI.

Dave
69S

thanks for the inputs, gents

actually my battery is new. i was just wondering about starting if it did die.

dad in ww2