Norton Electrical Upgrade

[Yorkie]

I am working my way through a '74 Interstate restoration and I would like to make sure that the electrics are reliable. I have purchased a new wiring harness but the reason for this post is to ask the mind-share as to what other upgrades should I look at. I am thinking of using the Pazon Sure-Fire ignition system but are there any other parts I should upgrade such as coils, stator, etc? Thank you in advance.

 

[Triton Thrasher]

I’m getting good service from the Wassell electronic ignition kit and an EMGO dual output coil.

A £7 Chinese regulator/rectifier is also working without complaint.

 

[Ron L]

Not necessarily a reliability improvement, but a 180 watt three phase stator will give you more output at lower RPM range. A solid state regulator/rectifier is also a good idea. A Shindegen is probably best if you have the space and have the extra funds. Otherwise a shunt type like the Podtronics has worked well for me. Make sure your rotor is not loose on its core or buy a new one for peace of mind.

 

[lazyeye6]

an oil thread methinks.
Ok. a /dual output coil with upgraded hi-tension wires and caps
a 3 phase alternator and a podtronics type regular to match.

 

[texasSlick]

Go to LED lighting!

Slick

 

[ntst8]

Check the M.Unit thread

 

[ludwig]

Load independent flasher, with automatic canceling:

 

[SteveBorland]

This looks very interesting, thanks Ludwig. For anybody else who is curious, have a look at https://www.wwag.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/WebSite.woa/wa/DirectAction?page=!37892

 

[Bernhard]

This looks very interesting, thanks Ludwig. For anybody else who is curious, have a look at https://www.wwag.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/WebSite.woa/wa/DirectAction?page=!37892

It may look very nice, but €42 as against 4-6 English pounds for a standard one from a motor spares shop, I can buy a lot of bread with the spare change!

 

[cliffa]

They also list a cheaper electronic pure flasher unit https://www.wwag.com/cgi-bin/WebObjects/WebSite.woa/wa/DirectAction?page=!37895

 

[ludwig]

It may look very nice, but €42 as against 4-6 English pounds for a standard one from a motor spares shop, I can buy a lot of bread with the spare change!

Plenty of cheap electronic flashers on the market.
What matters is the self-canceling feature.
Which is potentially life saving.
Your 'spare change' may buy you a lot of bread, but not so much plastic surgery..

(search for Motogadget modulator)

 

[Fast Eddie]

Ok, dumb question time... how does the self cancelling feature work?

 

[Triton Thrasher]

Plenty of cheap electronic flashers on the market.
What matters is the self-canceling feature.
Which is potentially life saving.
Your 'spare change' may buy you a lot of bread, but not so much plastic surgery..

(search for Motogadget modulator)

That’s all very worthy, but can’t you see the front indicator flashing?

 

[Triton Thrasher]

AShindegen is probably best if you have the space and have the extra funds. Otherwise ashunt type like the Podtronics has workedwell for me.

I’ve read the theory (and some opposing theory), but I wouldn’t recommend something I haven’t tried, such as “series regulation.”

 

[ludwig]

Ok, dumb question time... how does the self cancelling feature work?

It cancels after 20 blinks and resets automatically.
Very convenient if you regularly forget to switch off the indicators ( like me..)

 

[ludwig]

That’s all very worthy, but can’t you see the front indicator flashing?

Not in bright daylight.
Besides, there are plenty of other things on the road to keep an eye on.
It is just one worry less..

 

[SteveBorland]

Actually, looking on the internet, ebay etc., this is one of the cheaper units. Of course, there's a heap of used bits on ebay which may or may not work....

 

[Fast Eddie]

It cancels after 20 blinks and resets automatically.
Very convenient if you regularly forget to switch off the indicators ( like me..)

That’s a good little device then. I’m the same, cos most of my bikes don’t have indicators I do tend to forget to use them... and when I do, I forget to cancel them...!

 

[kommando]

I went a different way,

I use one of these relays

https://www.autoelectricsupplies.co.uk/product/165

It has a feed to a warning light which is not needed on a Commando with an indicator bulb already in the headlamp surround, so instead I use it to feed a warning buzzer.

The first buzzer worked but was inaudible above 40mph, so worked in towns but not on open roads.

So then I swapped to a 12V alarm siren, its under the seat and covered in foam but still audible at least up to 80mph. So I hear it at all times and now never forget to turn off the indicators.

It has an added advantage, pedestrians think its a reversing lorry so instead of carrying on looking at their phones and stepping out into a junction, they stop and try and work out where the lorry is .

 

[Triton Thrasher]

If it stops after 20 flashes, that’s about 15 seconds. Could have nuisance value at slow moving traffic junctions.