Royal Enfield Bullet alternators look very like the unencapsulated Lucas ones on Nortons. Would one fit? They are cheap and certainly effective - the one on my 1998 Bullet works a treat.
With all the tales of woe with fitting a new Lucas alternator this could possibly be a solution.
My new 1988 350 Bullet had…
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So it does fit!
My Enfield has a solid state power box (Thanks Al!) and has given no problems so far. The Enfield alternator is cheap and readily available so it does seem to be a possible alternative.
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Nice to hear from you
Nice to hear from you Gordon, there is several points to keep in mind when fitting (or trying) an Enfield Alternator. The Lucas system has always fitted on the three studs with the same angular positioning. although the stud size has increased over the years say from the 60s.
The rotor with Lucas has always had a 19mm hole hence fits to a 19mm crank. (Asside-Some Tiger cubs and some Bantams had 1/2" cranks) this issue was fitted with a steel tube. Do not be tempted to fit a thin stud in a large hole-it will move-disaster will follow. Get specific size studs made. Don't forget the 8th clearance all round between rotor/stator.
Best of luck let us know.
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And the reason is...
My Dominator developed an intermittent short circuit which I traced to one of the alternator wires (original Lucas RM21) chafing against a bracket. I re-routed and fixed the wire and all should have been well - except the charging is now much reduced, almost as though it has lost half its output.
I checked all connections and tried a substitute power box - no change. It may be that the alternator is unwell.
Thank heaven for magnetos!
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Cost
These Indian alternators can be bought for under £40. Lucas can cost anywhere between 4 to 5 times that. So, a good reason to try them.
I rode a few Indian Enfield's back in the 1990's, don't recall any problems with the charging system. That was with Enfield's "first generation" electronic rectifier/regulator, didn't have a good reputation back then.
On the Enfield there was no positive location for the stator radially. the mounting holes had plenty of clearance so, on the production line each stator had to be carefully(!) set up so as not to rub on the rotor, not always achieved!
The other thing to watch is that the Tufnol(?) former the stator windings are wound around can be quite bulky, (manufacturer dependant?). It may need a little careful trimming to fit.
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My new 1988 350 Bullet had such an alternator. Open coils, 3 wires, 12 volt, crudely regulated by the light switch.
It lasted nearly 5,000 miles before a stator coil fretted its way through the insulation and shunted itself.
An old 3 wire Lucas alternator did fit in its place.