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Preparing to fit an Alton starter

Submitted by nick_ohare1 on Sun, 01/12/2024
Forums
Commando

Hi all

Time's up got to admit it I need an ES or i dont get to enjoy my 1972 Commando. This is the situation:

Bike is in France Paul at Alton has put me in touch with a dealer near me to purchase from and get the unit fitted. These are the questions on what to have to hand to avoid common disasters

1) Currently have a belt drive primary. Will be replaced by proper chain drive. Anything I need to consider or is this a straight swap?

2) Primary case gets lots of oil when bike wet sumps. I assume this is the crankshaft seal? Getting a replacement from AN. Am i right is there anything else that may need seeing to when in there?

3)Am getting a replacement woodruff key set from AN. Good precautionary move?

Are there any other things to do or consider?

Many thanks for all the advice on fitting the podtronics kit all working well. Also I really appreciate the generosity shown by you guys in sharing advice and expertise.

Cheers Nick
 

Submitted by webmaster on Sun, 01/12/2024

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Hi Nick,
You can keep the primary belt drive - but you need to get a special shim made, which is what I did to retain the RGM belt on my bike. I did write an article about it in Roadholder some years ago!
Changing the crank case seal - good idea - but it will not stop blow by, once its wet sumped.
Changing the key set - yes a good idea.
You will need a new battery - Alton recommend the replacement, with a higher than standard crank output - Tanya is a good supplier.
Regards - Paul.
 

Submitted by nick_ohare1 on Mon, 02/12/2024

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Cheers Paul,

Thanks for the advice. Not sure if I want the hassle and extra expense of retaining the belt drive with special shims etc. Belt drive was not my choice it was the PO. I feel more secure with a triplex chain and I have all the parts in hand although I will get a new chain from AN.

The wet sump thing is a right pain but as I leave the bike for months at a time unridden I drain the oil out of the tank. Starting it without draining and refilling the tank was a silly mistake on my part!

Has your Alton been a worthwhile investment from a reliability point of view?

Thanks Nick

Submitted by alan_clarke2 on Mon, 02/12/2024

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Hi Nick, the battery supply company that Paul recommends is in fact Tayna Batteries, the reference is Yuasa YTX20L-BS . It is a high power AGM gel filled battery that comes from Tayna already filled and ready to go. It is rated at 270 CCA (cold cranking amps). Last time I bought one was in April this year from Tayna through ebay and at that time the price was £91.98 with free postage. 
Another point to bear in mind is the solenoid that comes from Alton is pretty poor so as this is a critical part I would dump the Alton one and fit one with a bit of oomph behind it. The one I use is for a Land-Rover defender and certainly does the job. Price from Land Rover is quite expensive but again buy a pattern one from ebay to fit the defender series 3, 64 to 84 and the price is more reasonable at around £15 or so. Hope this info helps. Regards Al

Hi Al

Thanks for the info. Re the solenoid is that a straight swap? Sounds like a good move will look into it. Same goes for the battery. I take it that the highere capacity version fits the standard Commando battery box?

Cheers Nick

The battery is a bit of a tight fit in the battery box but it will go in with care. The standard battery strap won't fit so I fasten the battery in with big heavy duty zip ties looped under the battery tray and over the top of the battery The solenoid has Lucas spade type tabs for the starter switch connections (I don't know what the proper name is for them) so you will have to knock up a couple of wires with female spades. to connect them. The thick heavy duty cables from battery and starter motor just fasten with the usual nuts and washers. If I get chance I'll try and take a photo of my set-up so you can see how it all fits. Being suitable for a Land Rover it's built to take vibration and is very robust. I have heard that the Alton ones are a bit weedy and pack up with the soldered on wires falling off due to the vibration. Cheers Al

Submitted by jan_nelder on Tue, 03/12/2024

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many current Triplex chains are not good quality. Many people now recommend and use a duplex( but very good quality) from The Chain Man in UK.

Submitted by ashley_cutler1 on Tue, 03/12/2024

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I only know of one failed Triplex chain in 30 years, and the owner only realised when he found a couple of bits in the bottom of the primary case. I also suspect members he have done huge mileages on the Triplex chain. If the Duplex chain was an advantage I would be using one.  

Submitted by peter_shand on Thu, 12/12/2024

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The 55K mile triplex on my Mk3 had shed some rollers (found the little half shells in the oil when changing it for the first time just after i bought her)  Fitted a duplex from Andy Fosdyke. Advantages for the Iwis duplex, made from better material than the available triplex and its lighter

 



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