Anyone Have an Alton Estart installed?

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at age 63 and rapidly deteriorating leg strength I am embarrassed to say I can hardly kick it over any more

and so I have put $500 down to have a place in the back order line for an Alton Estart for my 73 850

while I wait, at least 4-6 more weeks, I am curious to talk to any of you who have gone this route

how is it working, how was installation, do it again, ?

by the way I have a Norvil belt primary which I am told will not be any problem at all
 
I have an RGM belt drive an a Alton Ekit.
Yes it is worth the money to press a button to start. An thought I can kick mine if your health is a problem it means you can keep riding which is far better than those sad to read adds of owners selling their bikes after years of ownership as they can't start them anymore.

I did a thread about it but cant remember the name but there are a few if you look for them
 
I've had mine for nearly two years now; works great though I had a problem initially with the first version of the alternator rotor but Alton replaced it with the current version and Bob's your uncle! The kit is a nice unit and easy to install OR un-install with no modifications to the bike. My Norton has the oem triplex chain. Lot's of posts re the Alton if you do a search. I wouldn't consider NOT doing it on a Commando! The Estart is worth the money, IMO, for the ability to quickly restart if you stall in traffic, going very slow up a steep hill, or some other spot where it's fairly easy to stall. That's the main reason I wanted it since I have no trouble (yet) kicking my bike to life.
 
My friend just installed one on his 750 and I'm jealous. If they weren't so damn expensive I'd get one too. $2500 is just ridiculously high....more than the Commando cost new. If they were priced closer to $1500 they would sell out very quickly and I would get one.
 
Johnny,

I have mine ordered from Classic Bike Experience and they are quoting $2450

that price does not include a new powerful battery, probably around $130

nor does it include some upgraded electrical solid state units they are advising me to also buy

can't remember right now what they were but I remember it being a couple of hundred more to do it all right

so I figure I will be spending somewhere around $2800 total

yes, a lot of money and I wouldn't be willing to spend that if I was still able to kick it over myself

sell it? no way....after six Commandos over 40 years I want to keep riding them until I croak
 
Johnnymac said:
My friend just installed one on his 750 and I'm jealous. If they weren't so damn expensive I'd get one too. $2500 is just ridiculously high....more than the Commando cost new. If they were priced closer to $1500 they would sell out very quickly and I would get one.
Click to expand...

Based on the current waiting list, they sell out very quickly at $2.5K.
"More than a Commando cost new". Guess you are not talking about a 961 or any relevance to Y2014.
Anyone want to reverse-engineer one and start a US-based supplier?
 
by the way I have a Norvil belt primary which I am told will not be any problem at all
Click to expand...

That's what I was told too but it was far from the truth; I had to throw away my Norvil belt drive. I wrote an article for Roadholder about my experiences in Sept. 2012; pm me if you'd like a copy. The problems were fed back to Alton and by now they may have been addressed, but it would be worth you asking some specific questions first.

Since then, I've had two main problems with the kit. The shock absorber assembly failed and most recently the sprag/alternator rotor has failed. The support from Alton has been good and they have sent me improved replacement parts. I put this all down to the teething problems any supplier will have when they are making a low volume special product to fit a wide range of modified old bikes. Overall, I love the Alton e-start. I would most probably have sold the bike because I just could not enjoy it and use it anywhere near as much with the e-start.

David
 
Alton have change the design of their inner primary cover by removing the internal post that was a problem with the Norvil belt drive so you should be fine. They the also changed and improved other parts so the Ekit is now a very well developed system. All the issues mentioned above have been addressed in some way on the latest version of the Ekit.
 
Jeff,

Yes, they can be bought for Negative ground systems.

I will be offering the Altons as well but I am just getting started. First units will be here mid June and after a couple of complete installs I will be selling the kits.

I have been watching these systems for awhile and even though they had some early production issues, I feel that they have all been addressed and that the kit is well designed and works as intended

Matt / Colorado Norton Works

http://www.coloradonortonworks.com
 
I had an early (august 12) fitted and it was working well until I heard a loud noise that was not my engine starting.It took about seven weeks to get it repaired and I couldn't tell you if it works or not as it is still on my workshop shelf. Maybe I'll put it back on if I fancy a quick sale on my hopper?
 
I installed one of the latest Alton kits in my Norton last Autumn. I've pressed the starter button no less than one-hundred times since without issue and with an instant start (was a one-kicker). I'm only 41 but hated kick starting (flame suit on). This has kept me from getting a modern bike.
 
toppy said:
Alton have change the design of their inner primary cover by removing the internal post that was a problem with the Norvil belt drive so you should be fine. They the also changed and improved other parts so the Ekit is now a very well developed system. All the issues mentioned above have been addressed in some way on the latest version of the Ekit.
Click to expand...

Yes, attention this Ekit does not fit with ALL BELT DRIVE, a friend has just exploded the starter because he had not the good belt drive recommended ,I not say what bell drive he had,contact the seller for more explications it is important.
 
jeffdavison said:
What belt drives ARE recommended for the Alton?

JD
Click to expand...

Alton told me they could supply Ekit for Norvil ànd RGM belt drives also I believe Haywood.

You need to check with either the supplier or Alton as to the belt drive kit you wish to use. There is a spacer in the Ekit between the sprag clutch and the engine sprocket/pulley with some belt drives this needs to be a different size and Atlon know the size and can supply it. If not it is a simple part for a engineering firm or home lathe to make or alter to suit.

There have also been issues with length of belts in some kits affecting crank to clutch center distance (notable Norvil was a problem) but changes to new Ekit have addressed this.

Contact Alton by email or phone an they will be happy to help you with it. They were with me.
 
I am on a waiting list until at least the end of June with my Alton vender.

Does anyone know if the kits are currently available at any vender right now or is everyone on backorder?
 
When I got mine I contacted Alton an they where able to tell me which one of their suppliers had kits on order an who had kits in stock. At the same time they arranged for the correct spacer for my RGM belt drive.
 
So what is the difference between the kit for the triplex/RGM belt/Norvil belt? Is it just a spacer, or more complicated?
 
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