Old Britts E-start

L.A.B. · Jul 18, 2010

I emailed MRC on Friday, as there appears to be a link between MRC and Alton as far as the Commando starter is concerned, and as yet, I haven't received a reply-presumably because it's the weekend, so I expect MRC will also be a major supplier of the Commando kit.

http://www.motorcyclerestorationcompany ... restorers/
Brice Bugna

"Brice is our Alton specialist, He worked with Alton in building alternators and Designing the starter motor conversion kits for Velocettes and Norton Commandos and has superb knowledge of anything electrical. He is also our in house wheel builder."

Hortons Norton · Jul 18, 2010

Debby, Something must be amiss on your system. I have Sparx units on both bikes and and the MKIII has the smaller of the two and it does just fine. The three phase on the 72 runs a halogen and Tri-Spark, Lots of juice. Hope you get it sorted as that must cause a little concern on rides. I guess you are also missing the Lumby rally? Wife just started a new job and I'm in deep depression as we can't make it. Tried to take a ride here and the traffic had me pissed in no time, Damn I wish I was there. :cry:

debby · Jul 18, 2010

Hi Chuck,

Yes, afraid I have to pass on Lumby. Can't take that much time off work. If only it wasn't so far away. I really enjoyed last year's rally and the one in Utah. Oh well, I'll make it to another one one of these years.

Regarding the Sparx kit, it seems to me that something is not right as well. I'll have to look into it further.

Debby

L.A.B. · Jul 19, 2010

L.A.B. said:
I emailed MRC on Friday, as there appears to be a link between MRC and Alton as far as the Commando starter is concerned, and as yet, I haven't received a reply-presumably because it's the weekend, so I expect MRC will also be a major supplier of the Commando kit.

To update, today (Monday) I received a reply from Norman at MRC, who has informed me that although Alton expected to have the kit ready for production in June, he's heard nothing from them so far, however this isn't unusual for Alton apparently, so the starter is still in the pipeline, so to speak.

Jeandr · Oct 7, 2010

My buddy just installed an Old Brits starter on a customer's bike. He reports it starts really well and from the pictures it doesn't look too out of place. The downside to one is the installation, it took 30 hours of work which could be trimmed to about 25 hours on another installation, still a long time because the bike has to be litteraly taken apart to replace the cradle and swing arm.

Jean

highdesert · Oct 7, 2010

Jean, regarding your friend's bike pictured above.

The belt for the primary shows on the bottom rung a wedge that the belt rides over.

I have had a belt primary for 12 years, without such a wedge. Is this an auto belt tensioner of sorts?

Or does its purpose have something to do with the electric start mechanism?

Wow, what a highly polished, well put together Commando he has! Everything looks so perfect.

Jeandr · Oct 7, 2010

That is a tensioner, they had to fiddle with shims to get the belt tension correct. Why they use a tensioner is because the gearbox is now immobile, it can't move front and back to adjust the belt tension. If you look on Old Brit's site, they show a sheet metal tensioner, this one looks a lot more sturdy.

The customer has a bad right leg, almost all the muscles have melted away from an injury he had over 20 years ago, an ES is the only way for him to get back on his Norton.

Jean

highdesert · Oct 7, 2010

Ah, now I understand. Thanks Jean.

Rich_j · Oct 9, 2010

That's an extremely small diameter idler, way outside manufacturers minimum specs.
I'd be surprised if the belt life isn't significantly reduced.

Ron L · Oct 9, 2010

Ouch!! 30 hours labor on top of the $3K price. At $50/hr that's another $1500. I'll bet there won't be many shops getting requests to put that starter in.

Jeandr · Oct 9, 2010

Ron L said:
Ouch!! 30 hours labor on top of the $3K price. At $50/hr that's another $1500. I'll bet there won't be many shops getting requests to put that starter in.

I think the final bill will be over $6,000 considering we are in Canada and some parts, like the cradle and the primary covers, had to be shipped to Old Brits and back. Add the battery, powder coat for the machined parts... At less than $2,000 Alton's starter looks mighty good, even if a chain must be retained at the present time. Even if all the work is done by the owner on an Old Brits starter conversion, the Alton is still a fair amount cheaper.

Jean

Old Britts E-start

L.A.B.

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Hortons Norton

debby

L.A.B.

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Jeandr

highdesert

Jeandr

highdesert

Rich_j

Ron L

Jeandr

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