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updated layout for coil ign dommies

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Looking thro my old Roadholders I came accross a usefull article from Sept 2012 page25 by Al Oz. showing how to improve the layout on a 650 SS. There are lots of coil and PSR8 equiped Dommies about with half arsed 12v conversions that could use a similar upgrade.A layout with maybe some indicators and modern rec and fusing would be really helpfull.

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A short reply to above-from above I think your word 'layout' should be 'circuit diagram'. Now are you asking for my words to be in RH?-won't happen, as I explained at an AGM a few years ago. Due to Editorial fiddling with the words I have stopped writing articles in RH.

But all is not lost, I have a web site aoservices.co.uk and to that are a list of pdf that explains a lot of the trip ups and hopefully understandings for the electricity. Words that are hopefully useful and correct, and certainly without editorial fiddling.

Specifics-fusing, only one need be fitted in the main battery feed, to stop the energy in the battery getting into the wiring and starting a fire. Yo can fit an ignition fuse and perhaps a lights fuse. but I don't think particulaly (another bad word with no decent spell checker!!) useful.

12v is either a 2 wire alternator or the 3 wire (RM19) made into 2. that either goes to a rectifier with a proper Lucas Zener(not made for 30yrs) or you fit a modern rectifier/regulator, same two wires in and two wires out out. The PRS8 can be improved but a specific diagram is needed. It is something I have been intending to put on my web site (another round 2 it!). Indicators-just follow the CCT off any Commando-they are all the same.

Electrics-no problem.

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I agree Alan,Electrics are "no problem" for us. I am thinking about those that follow ,many of those who have not had to even wire up a 13 amp plug. Very few practical skills are taught in schools now. Lots of old Nortons are running with bodged and much altered looms that bear little relationship to the printed diagrams. Roadholder editions that contain little in the way of tech articles are just recycling material to me.

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The book is already written-Haynes (would you believe) Motorcycle Electrical Manual by T Tranter. Pub 1998. Now this might be a while back but of course the subject is still the same since the 1950s etc.

As regards all 'Norton' info in a book, actualy (another bad word but no correction on the web site) 98% of the Electrical information is the same across the other British makes of the era. Triumph, BSA, AJS/M, and Norton. The MKIII Commando has a few extra bits.

As you say RT there could very well some who can't even rewire a 13A plug, but I have always understood that Classic Bikes as a hobby/way of life means you have a screw driver in one hand a spanner in one pocket and a piece of rag in the other pocket! I did once come across a chap who said , he ONLY rode Classic bikes, he did not 'spanner them' I reserve my thoughts on said person as this is a public medium, but I agree RT you have a point.

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Further to Robert's first post... I'd be grateful to see some ideas on "layout". I'm certain Alan would not approve of the way I've mounted the two coils for my ex-magneto 88SS. Where is the best place and are there neat brackets available? Not between the oil tank and battery box because my RITA lives in there ( with heat shield against oil tank...)

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For some years our Atlas had a set of Commando coils in the same spot. Not Ideal. After 60 years of working on classic bikes much of what we do is intuative. And we really can't see why others have a problem. My middle aged sons regularly ask me which direction to turn a nut,and are perplexed that not only am I always right without thinking but that I can diagnose faults over the phone often with minimal information. They are even more perplexed that I am unable to explain my thinking or teach them how to do the same. I have some form of Autism that as a young man allowed me to do complex maths calculations in an instant ( much faster than could be entered on a computer).But I can only just about use a smart phone or a computer. Incomprehensible!.

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thinking things electrical. i had a fault on the side lights on a car i had. when i pressed the brake the side lights would come on all around. so checked the wiring all ok .eventually found it to be a brake light filament in the bulb on its way out and it had sagged down and contacted the side light filament causing the problem. replaced the bulb all ok.

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Where do you have your coils now, Robert? Mine are Jubilee clipped to the top frame rails on either side. With cork anti vibration blocks. Works fine but upsets my aesthetic senses.

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Hello well as far as I know the early 650 manxman and 650 ss did Not have the Prs8 lighting/ignition switch and coil ignition , From day one they had the 41SA lighting switch up to 1964 , has these machines were all on magneto most were Competition Lucas Magnetos of the K2FC type with auto advance , but I believe the Standard and Deluxe 650cc models where coil ignition and had the prs8 lighting/ignition switch type, and I have found Haynes Manual wiring diagrams to but listed incorrectly with the Manxman 650 having a lighting switch 88SA Switch was after 1964 and the Norton Manxman was not built at that time they where built from November 1960 to August 1961 only The 650cc sports Special carried on from there on to the last machine April 1970 witch was the 650cc Mercury by that time, yours anna j

 


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