Parts you regret buying

CanukNortonNut · Aug 22, 2014

L.A.B. said:
CanukNortonNut said:

Its the pin that's sheared off for holding the Kickstart return spring.

Click to expand...

The early Norton AMC box had a different K/S spring, the inner end of which, located in the small hole in the boss just above the shaft-so these inner covers don't have the pin. The kickstart shaft is also different.

http://www.nsamotorcycles.co.uk/04-0043 ... 1856-p.asp

Well there you go...I learned something new. I assumed that it was a Commando Gearbox. I remember Mick Hemmings talking of the earlier kick start springs and I can see where it now plugs in. Thanks for that L.A.B.
Cheers,
Thomas
CNN

Nater_Potater · Sep 22, 2014

Exactly one month without a posting; I thought this thread was dead. Then, along comes charging issues.
Pulled my beloved 16A alternator, and felt this goomy glop under my fingertip while reaching around to pull the unit off:

Somehow, I doubt the fleabay seller will have anything to do with a year-old item.
So, it's back on with the stock unit, and hope it holds until I can swing a three-phase. Damn! Just when things were going so well. That, and we only have about two more weeks of rideable weather here. I'm going to do my best to ride to the end.

Fast Eddie · Sep 22, 2014

Nater_Potater said:
Exactly one month without a posting; I thought this thread was dead. Then, along comes charging issues.
Pulled my beloved 16A alternator, and felt this goomy glop under my fingertip while reaching around to pull the unit off:

Somehow, I doubt the fleabay seller will have anything to do with a year-old item.
So, it's back on with the stock unit, and hope it holds until I can swing a three-phase. Damn! Just when things were going so well. That, and we only have about two more weeks of rideable weather here. I'm going to do my best to ride to the end.

Bad luck Nate. Is that a Lucas item? Wassell? Or...?

Nater_Potater · Sep 22, 2014

Fast Eddie said:
Bad luck Nate. Is that a Lucas item? Wassell? Or...?

I didn't want to say Wassell, but there I go again... Actually, it hadn't died completely, but it must have a higher internal resistance that before, as its ability to carry the load recently fell off. I read 0.6 ohms through it (at room temp), whereas my OE Lucas shows 0.9 ohms. Unfortunately, I didn't record it when new, so nothing to compare it to. And, no; not shorting to ground either.

Fast Eddie · Sep 23, 2014

Nater_Potater said:
Fast Eddie said:

Bad luck Nate. Is that a Lucas item? Wassell? Or...?

Click to expand...

I didn't want to say Wassell, but there I go again... Actually, it hadn't died completely, but it must have a higher internal resistance that before, as its ability to carry the load recently fell off. I read 0.6 ohms through it (at room temp), whereas my OE Lucas shows 0.9 ohms. Unfortunately, I didn't record it when new, so nothing to compare it to. And, no; not shorting to ground either.

I had a stator 'go' once on a late Merriden twin (a TSS) and that was due to a none functioning Zener diode pack (3 of them on one plate those bikes).

The Zeners gave up because as standard they were bolted to the nice, large, cold, alloy air box. The knowledgable owner at that time (me) junked this in the name of speed and failed to re-mount them on a suitable heat sink!

Just thought I'd mention it, might be worth checking yours, it may prevent damaging another stator?

Nater_Potater · Sep 23, 2014

Fast Eddie said:
I had a stator 'go' once on a late Merriden twin (a TSS) and that was due to a none functioning Zener diode pack (3 of them on one plate those bikes).

The Zeners gave up because as standard they were bolted to the nice, large, cold, alloy air box. The knowledgable owner at that time (me) junked this in the name of speed and failed to re-mount them on a suitable heat sink!

Just thought I'd mention it, might be worth checking yours, it may prevent damaging another stator?

I appreciate the insight! Definitely something to consider.

To compliment the upgrade earlier this spring, I included a Podtronics 200W rectifier/regulator, both with old and new stator; A/C output (as read with a current clamp) is comparable to the stock windings, so it would appear the Podtronics is still working as earlier. Yes, I actually checked them before converting, as I was all exited about throwing together a before/after about the upgrade, complete with voltage/current curves to show everyone. "Curses; foiled again!"

Hobot · Sep 23, 2014

A couple+ decades ago just before my time getting a Commando, there was a rather famous fella on NOC-UK and Brit. Iron list known as Commando Dan, as was so involved with his, until it just overwhelmed with its failures and parts to maintain - he finnally regretted buying a Commando so much he got rid of it and last they ever heard of him directly. Time to time when a Harley old fart comes up to my Commando they say yeah they had one but got rid of it - for the usual reasons.

ILLF8ED · Sep 23, 2014

30 some years ago I bought an Electra I regretted. It's the only motorcycle I ever put in a dumpster.

Hobot · Sep 24, 2014

LOL Iff that must of been so depressingly satisfying to hear it making noise one last time. Fast Eddie insights on drag also worth a grin.

I don't yet know if I'll regret buying others crapped out points & AAU's.

andychain · Sep 24, 2014

As I have said in other posts most dealers only want max profit and unfortunately quality
considerations are low on the list of priorities.

When an item costs around £4-5 and ends up to the customer at around £30 somebody is
making serious mullar. This is one reason I deal direct to end users.

I know a good Triumph guy but not a Norton one.

I get to know which dealers/suppliers have got good reputations acroos Europe (I was at
a show in Belgium this weekend) and those with crap ones but for bikers in far off lands,
USA and OZ it is diificult. I would also stay away from flea-bay and deal direct. I will not
trade through it.

Andy

Seeley920 · Sep 24, 2014

andychain said:
As I have said in other posts most dealers only want max profit and unfortunately quality
considerations are low on the list of priorities.

I know a good Triumph guy but not a Norton one.

Andy

Mick Hemmings

I won't deal with anyone else

Nater_Potater · Sep 24, 2014

As a follow-up to the "failed" Wassell stator, after much poking and prodding, it's a failing AGM battery! Open-cell voltage sitting on the bench after a charge is 13.1 (right about where it should be), the system reads around 13.8 @3000 rpm with the headlight on, then, with the headlight on and the engine at idle, all goes to hell. Sure, the charging system won't float everything at idle, but the battery had been carrying it through these low-rpm moments, just as it should. Until now. A load test of the battery shows about zero capacity.

I just replaced the battery in the ol' H***da last week. It was a conventional lead-acid, and the date inscribed on top is 10/08. That's six years of trouble-free operation, and it's electric-start only. I got eight years out of the prior battery!

I'm thinking of putting the Wassell back in, warts and all, and screw the AGM! It's conventional battery next spring for me.

Hobot · Sep 24, 2014

Ugh, Patotarman, your report fiber mat battery is the 4th failure reported on this forum and 8th i've heard this year, counting 2 from a buddy who tried em twice in a row in one month and 2 others on Brit Iron list frustrated to figure out their ignition failures. The Brit bike vibes must break up the brittle fibers inside so I'd avoid AGM's forever more. Gel Cells last if spillage is a factor to worry about like me going down so dam often as some injuries mean can't lift bike or even myself upright as fluids leak out and lights go dim.

Nater_Potater · Sep 24, 2014

hobot said:
Ugh, Patotarman, your report fiber mat battery is the 4th failure reported on this forum and 8th i've heard this year, counting 2 from a buddy who tried em twice in a row in one month and 2 others on Brit Iron list frustrated to figure out their ignition failures. The Brit bike vibes must break up the brittle fibers inside so I'd avoid AGM's forever more.

The AGMs are supposed to be better in high-vibration situations, but something obviously didn't agree with this unit. I'm going with a conventional lead-acid, so we'll see how that fares.

Hobot · Sep 24, 2014

Ain't just Cdo's...
http://www.triumphrat.net/hinckley-clas ... ilure.html

concours · Sep 24, 2014

Nater_Potater said:
As a follow-up to the "failed" Wassell stator, after much poking and prodding, it's a failing AGM battery! Open-cell voltage sitting on the bench after a charge is 13.1 (right about where it should be), the system reads around 13.8 @3000 rpm with the headlight on, then, with the headlight on and the engine at idle, all goes to hell. Sure, the charging system won't float everything at idle, but the battery had been carrying it through these low-rpm moments, just as it should. Until now. A load test of the battery shows about zero capacity.

I just replaced the battery in the ol' H***da last week. It was a conventional lead-acid, and the date inscribed on top is 10/08. That's six years of trouble-free operation, and it's electric-start only. I got eight years out of the prior battery!

I'm thinking of putting the Wassell back in, warts and all, and screw the AGM! It's conventional battery next spring for me.

Like EVERYTHING else today, there are good quality and also low-rent shat. AGM technology is not at fault here. What brand of battery?

Here is a good one: http://www.dekabatteries.com/assets/base/0278.pdf

Fast Eddie · Sep 24, 2014

concours said:
Nater_Potater said:

As a follow-up to the "failed" Wassell stator, after much poking and prodding, it's a failing AGM battery! Open-cell voltage sitting on the bench after a charge is 13.1 (right about where it should be), the system reads around 13.8 @3000 rpm with the headlight on, then, with the headlight on and the engine at idle, all goes to hell. Sure, the charging system won't float everything at idle, but the battery had been carrying it through these low-rpm moments, just as it should. Until now. A load test of the battery shows about zero capacity.

I just replaced the battery in the ol' H***da last week. It was a conventional lead-acid, and the date inscribed on top is 10/08. That's six years of trouble-free operation, and it's electric-start only. I got eight years out of the prior battery!

I'm thinking of putting the Wassell back in, warts and all, and screw the AGM! It's conventional battery next spring for me.

Click to expand...

Like EVERYTHING else today, there are good quality and also low-rent shat. AGM technology is not at fault here. What brand of battery?

Here is a good one: http://www.dekabatteries.com/assets/base/0278.pdf

Ive had an Oddessey battery fitted to my Vincent for 7 years. Vincents don't charge well at low revs, and they're not exactly a rev monster of a bike, so batteries are 'a topic of conversation'.

I wrote a thread about my Vin a while back, its been a problamatic relationship... In the 7 years since the battery was fiited it has stood idle for long periods and it was even on the bike when it caught fire!

So, the battery is 7 years old... it is (i think) the smallest they did at the time... has only done approx 3,000 miles in all that time... and has NEVER been put on a charger... and is still going strong.

I have a Shoria on the Commando as I like the low weight. If it give me any grief, I'll be using an Oddessey.

comnoz · Sep 24, 2014

I used an Odessy in my e-start for 10 years and it was an occasional rider. I replaced it with another just like it.
The Odessy in my injected bike is 5 years old now and still going strong.
That makes them a pretty cheap battery in the long run. Jim

Nater_Potater · Sep 24, 2014

concours said:
Like EVERYTHING else today, there are good quality and also low-rent shat. AGM technology is not at fault here. What brand of battery? Here is a good one: http://www.dekabatteries.com/assets/base/0278.pdf

You guys are absolutely right. I've been known to jump to conclusions every now and then ( :wink: ), so I'll look into a better quality than what I may currently own. To be honest, I don't even know what's in there right now, as far as manufacture/country of origin. Fast Eddie and Jim both make good arguement for the Odyssey battery, so that or a Deka will be the way I go.

I think I've tied-up this thread way too long with my whining, and it should probably go to a more appropriate location (trash?)

Nathan

concours · Sep 24, 2014

Nater_Potater said:
concours said:

Like EVERYTHING else today, there are good quality and also low-rent shat. AGM technology is not at fault here. What brand of battery? Here is a good one: http://www.dekabatteries.com/assets/base/0278.pdf

Click to expand...

You guys are absolutely right. I've been known to jump to conclusions every now and then ( :wink: ), so I'll look into a better quality than what I may currently own. To be honest, I don't even know what's in there right now, as far as manufacture/country of origin. Fast Eddie and Jim both make good arguement for the Odyssey battery, so that or a Deka will be the way I go.

I think I've tied-up this thread way too long with my whining, and it should probably go to a more appropriate location (trash?)

Nathan

Odyssey is a great battery, they get ALL the money for them. The battle-ready steel wrapper has seemed like overkill for my motorcycle adventures. Did I see they are now available without the armor?

Parts you regret buying

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