CNW E-Start Reviews

A Shelby-Volvo or a Peugeot?

An S60 Polestar is about as close as you can get. The twin cam 24 valve turbocharged engine's first test showed over 600 BHP, then detuned to something like 450, then 345 which the Volvo management (Ford?) finally agreed to. I have the same engine in my S60 R-design with Polestar tuning putting out something like 330 BHP...Can't imagine what Shelby would have done had Ford commissioned him. RIP Carroll Shelby.

Best.
 
Well I always read the electric starter threads to see how things are going. I now know much more about Lithium batteries LOL
That's a good thing.
A Lithium battery is, most often, what powers your new starter. I think they might also be recommended as part of installing the kit, if memory serves. When I click on the CNW estarter kit on the websales page, the Shorai Lithium battery pops up as a related item. It is related for sales but out of place in this thread? The thread was going along great with several people mentioning installing a Shorai to power the starter, then some misfit posted melted battery pics. To my mind, its all information, all good but some needs sorting and debunking.

I learned that there are published articles explaining why lifepo4 batteries will never overheat.
Also lol!
Although not real funny when the bike is on fire , as happened to me.

Glen
 
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A little follow up:

I installed the CNW kit on the '71 this past weekend - what a lovely kit! It is so comprehensive in everything it includes: A replacement is provided for just about every threaded fastener that you touch during the teardown and installation - even a new clutch push rod seal, as well as an extra steel clutch disk so that you can reduce your clutch pull if you have not already.

The written instructions also are very comprehensive, but I think it helps if you are very familiar with the entire primary drive to follow them - pictures would be nice, but I am nitpicking.

I did a couple of things slightly differently than the instructions: This bike is fitted with twin transmission adjusters, and the one on the left is a bear to get at with the inner primary fitted, even worse when the starter motor is installed. So I dry fitted the engine sprocket, belt, and clutch basket to see if the belt tension was even close before installing the inner primary. Turned out to be spot on using the 1/4 twist method, and this was verified after the inner primary was installed by using the method in the instructions: lift the lower run of the belt up to the level of the stator wire grommet.

The entire kit is very stout and the workmanship is top notch. No fettling required to make things fit - it just fits.

The pre-assembled wiring harness is a nice touch. All wires reached perfectly.

The supplied switch gear is a lovely touch, as this bike did not have a RHS switch.

Most of the extra work I had to perform was to prepare the bike to receive the kit. It is a bit of a mongrel, and has had a bunch of "custom" mods over the years. It already had a Hayward belt drive, and required a change in transmission sprocket from a 19 to a 20 to keep the gearing consistent. The 20 tooth had to be machined to accommodate the O-ring chain that was previously fitted. It already had a K&N air filter, but the back plate had also been removed, the ignition switch was mounted to the floor of the battery box, and the Podtronics fastened with the holes that once held the air cleaner back plate. I relocated the Podtronics box with a bracket that I make, and moved the ignition switch with another fabricated bracket to the RHS (the bike has S pipes - burn hazard on the LHS). The final change was the oil filter: the bike was fitted with a filter head that attached to the timing cover blanking plate holes, and the filter was where the starter needed to be. The cradle was already drilled for a traditional filter head, so that was straight forward, other than having to remove the timing cover in order to remove the old filter head and reinstall the blanking plate.

Amazon provided an Interstate Battery, 18Ah with 310 CCA. It starts the bike with authority. The starter motor provided is a very stout piece: basically a scaled down version to the one that starts my Cummins, and would look right at home on the side of a 4 cylinder Kubota. It is too bad that the stock air filter cannot be used with it - that was the deal breaker with me, and why I installed an Alton on my own personal bike.

All in all, it came together very nicely. Well done, Matt @cNw , on such a lovely product. Lots of good value for your money in this starter kit. Customer is completely tickled with it.

67173505917__C69BA131-A3CD-49B0-A5F8-D770A0A50A31.jpgIMG_8024.jpgIMG_8025.jpgIMG_8036.jpgIMG_8037.jpg
 
Last edited:
A little follow up:

I installed the CNW kit on the '71 this past weekend - what a lovely kit! It is so comprehensive in everything it includes: A replacement is provided for just about every threaded fastener that you touch during the teardown and installation - even a new clutch push rod seal, as well as an extra steel clutch disk so that you can reduce your clutch pull if you have not already.

The written instructions also are very comprehensive, but I think it helps if you are very familiar with the entire primary drive to follow them - pictures would be nice, but I am nitpicking.

I did a couple of things slightly differently than the instructions: This bike is fitted with twin transmission adjusters, and the one on the left is a bear to get at with the inner primary fitted, even worse when the starter motor is installed. So I dry fitted the engine sprocket, belt, and clutch basket to see if the belt tension was even close before installing the inner primary. Turned out to be spot on using the 1/4 twist method, and this was verified after the inner primary was installed by using the method in the instructions: lift the lower run of the belt up to the level of the stator wire grommet.

The entire kit is very stout and the workmanship is top notch. No fettling required to make things fit - it just fits.

The pre-assembled wiring harness is a nice touch. All wires reached perfectly.

The supplied switch gear is a lovely touch, as this bike did not have a RHS switch.

Most of the extra work I had to perform was to prepare the bike to receive the kit. It is a bit of a mongrel, and has had a bunch of "custom" mods over the years. It already had a Hayward belt drive, and required a change in transmission sprocket from a 19 to a 20 to keep the gearing consistent. The 20 tooth had to be machined to accommodate the O-ring chain that was previously fitted. It already had a K&N air filter, but the back plate had also been removed, the ignition switch was mounted to the floor of the battery box, and the Podtronics fastened with the holes that once held the air cleaner back plate. I relocated the Podtronics box with a bracket that I make, and moved the ignition switch with another fabricated bracket to the RHS (the bike has S pipes - burn hazard on the LHS). The final change was the oil filter: the bike was fitted with a filter head that attached to the timing cover blanking plate holes, and the filter was where the starter needed to be. The cradle was already drilled for a traditional filter head, so that was straight forward, other than having to remove the timing cover in order to remove the old filter head and reinstall the blanking plate.

Amazon provided an Interstate Battery, 18Ah with 310 CCA. It starts the bike with authority. The starter motor provided is a very stout piece: basically a scaled down version to the one that starts my Cummins, and would look right at home on the side of a 4 cylinder Kubota. It is too bad that the stock air filter cannot be used with it - that was the deal breaker with me, and why I installed an Alton on my own personal bike.

All in all, it came together very nicely. Well done, Matt @cNw , on such a lovely product. Lots of good value for your money in this starter kit. Customer is completely tickled with it.

View attachment 94475View attachment 94474View attachment 94473View attachment 94472View attachment 94471
Mongrel or not, that's a NICE looking ride.
Well done....:cool:
 
I posted this before in another thread, and since I like my own writing voice so much I thought I would post it again here...

The cNw e-start kit weighs 24 lbs complete.

Remove the weight of the stock inner primary, front sprocket, chain and clutch basket and your net weight gain is 11 lbs over a stock, chain drive, set up

This does not take in account further weight reduction with the Barnett clutch (over a Bronze stack) and possible battery weight.

Bronze plates weigh 1085g
A motobatt 9ah weighs 3364g
That is 4449g or 9lbs 13oz

Barnett plates weigh 349g
A 18ah Shorai weighs 1073g
That is 1422g or 3lbs 3oz

A savings of 3027g or 6lbs 10oz.

So, if the CNW kit itself adds 11 lbs, less the savings of the Barnett + Shorai, then it is only a total gain of 4lbs 6oz or 1984g.

Just skip a couple pints, a steak and ice cream and have a salad.

I have had my CNW estart on for a while now, and like Derek, I have a high left side pipe, and the precious fitment meant I had to move it again. This was the only disadvantage I found in this kit, as I never have had a ham can on this bike.

So, I installed a Motogadget m-lock (and lost the weight of the stock switch and mount for the weight conscious).

Oh, the other negative is that I am only slightly nervous about having removed the kicker from the bike. :D
 
Oh, the other negative is that I am only slightly nervous about having removed the kicker from the bike. :D
Casting my engineering eye across this kit, I don't think I would be too worried about leaving the kick start lever at home. Everything in this kit is pretty solid IMHO.

With regards to weight - I am in the process of attempting to remove about 45 lbs from the rider :p. 18 down, 27 to go....
 
Does someone out there have a link for instructions for the cNw belt drive install?
Thanks
 
The CNW E. Start package is arguably the best upgrade I have invested in for my 74' and I have made some important upgrades.
Quality components combined with a straightforward installation...I encountered no surprises. I was impressed by how easily it assembled...just take your time.
The first test of the push button/switch is really cool.

The technical support offered was excellent.
One helluv'a Xmas gift from she who must be obeyed.
 
At todays exchange rate - the CNW E-start + Barnett clutch pack comes to around about £2,580 delivered to UK.

I wonder what sort of duty & vat charge could be expected to bolt on to the bill?
 
It depends on the value shown on the import paperwork. Otherwise it’s likely to be 20% vat and added charge from Parcelfarce for delivery, when they don’t even deliver to you unless you pay extra.
 
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