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Electrics for a 1936 Model 18

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I'm just about to resurrect a '36 Model 18 (and Swallow sidecar) that my Dad bought back in 1981. It had a good few years use but has lain at the back of his shed since 2001, when it died on me in torrential rain when I was out shopping. I know the motor is pretty well worn out and the gearbox jumps out of third sometimes but I'm going to try and get it going for the summer and then look at more substantial works in the winter.

Where can I find a wiring diagram? I think I can improve on the spaghetti mess and open connector blocks I can see.

Timing info?

Any battery recommendations?

Many thanks.

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Try

http://www.vintagenorton.com/2005/11/pdf-collection.html

For what it's worth - I intendto re-set timing on my 16H maybe 3/16 inch further advanced than the book (7/16) and identify the book location with a paint mark on the timing lever. I suspect that with modern fuels the book figure is too far retarded. I know my new pipes wentblue within ten miles or so. Modern petrol may not be as good as it was in the 1960's but it's a lot more knock resisant than fuel in the 1930's and 1940's... and if I'm wrong I can just retard a bit. All that should be affected (I think) is that I might not have enough throw in the lever to retainthe ridiculously slow tickeover it now has.

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Blimey, that's a good resource (vintagenorton.com).

Interesting point that timing cannot be assumed as being a constant. Of course fuel characteristics must make a difference...

I don't know what the proportion of ethanol is in fuel now, but I'm guessing that it makes a difference to the burn speed. I run a bike on methanol and the timing is well advanced on that (over petrol) to get it to run properly.

and on the timing front, does anyone have these piston positions as degrees?

I've also found a wiring diagram which I think is relevant, but has anyone got any advice as to what size/type of wire to use?

Thanks

 


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