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Magneto replacement Electronic Ignition kits

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Has anyone fitted one of these kits. A mate called Brian is removing his magneto (with some difficulty - that bottom mounting bolt!!) and wants to replace it with this kit.

He would like to hear from you with any hints, tips or tricks you learned - and especially if you are in the W Yorks area. If you write to me at lighttwins@nortonownersclub.org - I will pass on your details/info - or drop me a note on FB Messenger

Thanks

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Observations-Despite being 'in the business' I have not seen this kit before, but two things if it is a Wassell sold product there will not be any technical back up. The connectors are the nasty red  things that look nasty, often fitted with a 50P crimper-the result being 50P! IF you crimp these with a proper ratchet crimper they might be ok (but still look crap).

You can buy a 'Mushroom' housing and fit Boyer or Pazon. Or even search out the Lucas RITA magneto replacement kit. I have spares for every part, but not the housing.

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hello the only thing wrong with fitting electronic stuff is its all dependent   on your battery were as your magneto is not dependant on a battery and if your do your research on how to sevice your magneto you find its easy and straightforward with the minum of tooling  and my magneto is 60 year old and still in good order if you spend your money on good servicing on your magneto you be  better of in the long run  now 99% of all magnetos need the magnets remagnetizing  as they do lose the magnetizam   over time and it dose not cost alot for this to be done,   but electronics is like anything else they have ther advantages and there disadvantages   like a flat battery unexpected   and just when you need it,   and do not forget I own japanese bikes as well as british bikes  over the years  And we had posting on this subject well before now but this still gets repeated       yours  Anna J 

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Again Anna, you have completely ignored the question that Andy asked and just carried on with your usual slaver. It does get tiresome reading your posts that are, quite often, very hard to understand. The word processing programs that computers use make it very easy to edit a post and correct grammar and spelling before sending it in. Also it allows a modicum of reflection on the content of said post. Something that Trump fails to do. He spouts rubbish as well!          

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Andy...looks like the answer to your original question looks like it is..nobody knows! It's probably OK...maybe he can report back?

He will have to do something about his auto advance. I just took out the springs on mine, so it flies to full advance as soon as it is kicked over.

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The electronics portion of the kit is made by Vape and they have a good reputation, don't know about the rest of the kit ie the Magneto mount as not used them. Connectors are naff too.

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As John says the electrical components in the kit are from Vape (Czech Republic).

Power Dynamo use Vape components, so this may be one of their kits, if so I can vouch for the quality as I have two bikes fitted with Power Dynamo/Vape kits.

As Al mentions ratchet crimp pliers are the only way to go with the connectors supplied in the kit.

 

Good luck

 

 

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Consider the Thorspark conversion, it uses the original magneto, and advance unit.  Available for 6 or 12 volt systems.  The points are removed, and replaced with a trigger unit.  Twin coils can be fitted under the seat, and the old HT leads left in place, but taped up under the tank.  With a little care, no one will know you no longer have mag ignition.   "Fit and forget", mine has functioned perfectly for many years.  There are several posts, regarding this unit, try searching Thorspark on this site. 

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Hi.

I recently fitted a similar kit to a customer's Tri****. The only difference was that it was the kit with a dummy 'magneto' housing. It's simple enough to fit, the biggest difficulty was deciding where and how to fit the coil and 'black box'. His bike had manual adv/ret so the cable was retained just for looks, but, as others have said, you'll have to find a way of locking the adv/ret unit or find a suitable plain mag sprocket - (Dunstall used to do them so they're out there somewhere) - not sure if one from a single would do, can't remember how many teeth! As Alan Osbourne says, ditch the crappy connectors, I used Jap style 3mm bullet connectors and a proper crimp tool. So far, the customer is very happy with the result - I guess only time will tell how reliable it'll be.

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Anna has a point, and years of experience. A good magneto is unlikely to fail and will get you home if there are other issues such a flat battery. Admittedly the K2F is not in the same league as a BTH magneto, say, but why complicate a simple Norton system? The answer to the horrible bottom nut access is the readily available long nut. Starting will perhaps be easier with a coil system, but if the engine is in good condition (and the carburetter too), a mag should start a Dommie second kick. Keep it simple?

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In the opening post, Andy asked for people to email him with comments. Wonder how many read that and did?

However, as others have opened up above, heres mu 2p worth.

Positives for electronic ignition means no faffing about setting points gaps and ignition timing any more, better starting, better idle, and can use readily available resistor plugs and caps.

Negatives are flat battery =no spark and gives rivet counters something to get all hot under the collar about.

How many times has the battery gone flat on any other bike you have that has coil ignition and left you stranded? In reality, unless you habitually leave your lights on, it is probably as likely as the points closing up or getting a puncture. 

Most importantly for a large number of people is also the cost. Getting a mag refurbished isn't cheap and can take a long time to get done properly. Electronic is relatively cheap, readily available and reliable. 

Me? 20+ years ago when I got my 650 mongrel, it had a mag that didn't spark. I didn't have any hesitation in removing it and selling it on and replacing it with a 'mushroom'. I have no regrets, although like other posters I fitted proper wiring connectors, not the hideous red/yellow/blue "crimp" connectors that came with it.

Most importantly,  enjoy your bike whatever system you choose to use.

George. 

 

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Pardon my ignorance but what is a ‘mushroom’ ? No wisecracks please.

George

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The Mushroom is a housing that houses the pick-up for the electronic ignition. It can be considered a fun 'guy'. By the way getting home with a magneto as you can with a flat battery, is this a good idea with today's use of the roads-No stop light, no horn, no lights, a few years ago this would have been an MOT failure big time. Open roads bright sunlight maybe ok, town work in the semi dark/misty, on your head be it, must we continue to give motorcyclist a bad name?

PS the name is OSBORN

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I am from Czech republic where Vape is produced and i can sai that is better made than Boyer i have Vape on my Jawa bikes many years and it works perfect. i have boyer on my commando it works but  mashine procesing is better on Vape. I thing that vape have some details make precision than boyer.

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Some of the above not quite correct, depending on the electronic ignition and rectification some will easily start without a battery of capacitor. Pazon surefire and Tri Spark both do. Mosfet rectifier and Tri spark starts first kick, you would not notice the battery is not in circuit. 

 


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