How rare is this?? New old stock K2FC Magneto

Johnnymac

Johnnymac

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Oct 8, 2011
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How lucky am I? I came across this today and bought it for a great price. New Old Stock Lucas K2FC magneto. Never installed on a bike. Been on a shelf in a box since 1971.

How rare is this?? New old stock K2FC Magneto
 
Re: How rare is this?? K2FC Magneto

Great find!!! I'm envious!

But beware....the capacitor inside is probably ready to fail; maybe has...just because of age, not use. Give it a spin and check for spark before installing on the bike.

Slick
 
Re: How rare is this?? K2FC Magneto

texasSlick said:
Great find!!! I'm envious!

But beware....the capacitor inside is probably ready to fail; maybe has...just because of age, not use. Give it a spin and check for spark before installing on the bike.

Slick
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Hi Slick, I spun it up and it gives a strong spark at minimum RPMs. Hopefully it will stay good?
 
Re: How rare is this?? K2FC Magneto

Johnnymac said:
Hi Slick, I spun it up and it gives a strong spark at minimum RPMs. Hopefully it will stay good?
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That is good to hear....how long will it last? That is anybody's guess...you are already past the max life expectancy....30 to 40 years. Mine lasted about 48 ... got hard to start.

It is almost a shame to put it on a bike.....just leave it on a shelf and look at it.

Slick
 
yep pretty much guaranteed, you will get 30 miles down the road and then it dies,
 
madass140 said:
yep pretty much guaranteed, you will get 30 miles down the road and then it dies,
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I guess I will put a new condenser in it before I even put it on he bike. Thanks guys.
 
Johnnymac said:
I guess I will put a new condenser in it before I even put it on he bike. Thanks guys.
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Have you ever did a DIY on a K2F? It would be a shame to bugger it up. Also, there is no point in installing a NOS Lucas capacitor....they are already 30 -40 yrs old.

I don't know your level of expertise, but if it were mine, I would send it to a reputable rebuilder for a new cap. I've been told (cannot speak as to veracity), that a K2F needs a magnetic bump after a cap replacement.

Slick
 
I thought the main killer of mags was supposed to be damp!?

Looking at its box, yours appears to have been stored in dry conditions.

I had mag bikes in my yoof that gave ignition related troubles, and on inspection the mags were in a deplorable state of old age and neglect and occasional butchery. But they still ran!

Gotta say that mag is a cool find. Also gotta say it is NOT too good to put on yer bike Johnny boy!

Don't blame me if this all goes tits up, but in your shoes, I'd fit the thing and see how it goes...
 
Fast Eddie said:
I thought the main killer of mags was supposed to be damp!?

Looking at its box, yours appears to have been stored in dry conditions.

I had mag bikes in my yoof that gave ignition related troubles, and on inspection the mags were in a deplorable state of old age and neglect and occasional butchery. But they still ran!

Gotta say that mag is a cool find. Also gotta say it is NOT too good to put on yer bike Johnny boy!

Don't blame me if this all goes tits up, but in your shoes, I'd fit the thing and see how it goes...
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Yes, it was sitting in a motorcycle dealership for the past 43 years on the shelf with all the other parts. Never seen the light of day or moisture.

There is no way that I'd attempt to do the condenser myself, I know someone locally who is an expert.

And Eddie, of course it's going on my Atlas!!! It would be completely uncivilized to do otherwise. :lol: The K2F that's on there now could also have a 50 year old condenser too so I'll be better off with a new K2FC and a refresh. I will probably refresh both of them and sell the K2F.
 
I couldn't agree more Johnny boy... and being uncivilised would be, well, very uncivilised !!

Do keep us posted as to your progress won't you?
 
Johnny thats a great find and I hope you only payed the same price it was made all those years ago, I would put it straight on the bike if it was mine, a good running maggie will fech a good price here in Aussie land, I have a good Lucas compertion maggie on my Manxman and have been told by a good mate of mine who races it is worth over $1200 or more here, not bad when i got the whole bike for $1,000, good luck with your project bike its has been intresting watching and hopefully I will get back into my project Manxman in the new year.

Ashley
 
ashman said:
Johnny thats a great find and I hope you only payed the same price it was made all those years ago, I would put it straight on the bike if it was mine, a good running maggie will fech a good price here in Aussie land, I have a good Lucas compertion maggie on my Manxman and have been told by a good mate of mine who races it is worth over $1200 or more here, not bad when i got the whole bike for $1,000, good luck with your project bike its has been intresting watching and hopefully I will get back into my project Manxman in the new year.

Ashley
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Thanks Ashley. If you know anyone down under who wants to pay $1200 for a Competition Mag, let me know!!! :)
 
If you fit it straight away, the worst that can happen is that it will stop working.

Wonder if it's an exchange rebuilt part, rather than "new." The answer is probably on the label, in some sort of code.
 
wilkey113 said:
Hey John,
Are there more of those available?
I'm looking for one as well.
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Sorry guys, this was the last one the guy had. Just to rub it in I paid under $500 for it.
 
Johnnymac said:
ashman said:
Johnny thats a great find and I hope you only payed the same price it was made all those years ago, I would put it straight on the bike if it was mine, a good running maggie will fech a good price here in Aussie land, I have a good Lucas compertion maggie on my Manxman and have been told by a good mate of mine who races it is worth over $1200 or more here, not bad when i got the whole bike for $1,000, good luck with your project bike its has been intresting watching and hopefully I will get back into my project Manxman in the new year.

Ashley
Click to expand...

Thanks Ashley. If you know anyone down under who wants to pay $1200 for a Competition Mag, let me know!!! :)
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Johnny I wouldn't pay $1200 for one but some do pay that, if mine ever played up I would replace it with a Joe Hunt maggie, they have a stronger spark and are so reliable and a lot easyer to work on, I have been running my Joe Hunt on my 850 for 6 years now and haven't touched it, starts first kick every time even if I let it sit for sometime.

Ashley
 
Ivwas thinking about going with a Joe Hunt at some point. Honestly, my K2F works perfectly and I didn't need a magneto at all, but I couldn't pass this up.
 
madass140 said:
yep pretty much guaranteed, you will get 30 miles down the road and then it dies,
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Had this exact thing happen to a "rebuilt" unit. Send it to Doug Wood and forget about it failing you.
 
Johnnymac said:
Ivwas thinking about going with a Joe Hunt at some point. Honestly, my K2F works perfectly and I didn't need a magneto at all, but I couldn't pass this up.
Click to expand...

For $500 I would have done the same thing, if things are the right price I buy even if I don't realy need it.

Ashley
 
Notwithstanding the question mark of the life of the capacitor, please check that it fires with a degree disc, whether on the engine or not, that it fires at 0 and 180 degrees exactly.
If it is out more than a couple of degrees, it can be corrected .
 
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