I wasn't going to say anything here about what way to go with ignition systems but having my Norton since new, the first few years I ran stock point without any problems then after about 3 years started to have lots of problems with points as well condensers then a failed AAU, so in 78 I decided to put in a Lucas EI, it failed in one year of running so 79 I replaced it with a Boyar EI then after the rebuild/conversion to the Featherbed frame I had a major fire in 82 and a week after the fire (after fixing the fire damage) the Boyar black box failed 100 mile from home (fire damaged) so I replace it with another Boyar EI and had 30 + years of trouble free with that Boyar (it was still working when I replaced it), it always started first or second kick but over that time a few battery failures that left me out of action.
I ran a Joe Hunt magneto on my old 1981 Triumph Thunderbird for over 9 years without any troubles and not relying on battery power so saved and decided to go with a new 4 rare earth Joe Hunt magneto for the Norton, it has so far been the best ignition I have ever run on my Norton and over 13+ years now and gone back to my old Amal carbs my Norton has run the best it ever has in the 48+ years of ownership, the JH and Amals run so well together and I haven't touched the JH in all them years except a new front cover from a lay down, the good thing with the JH it one unit and no need for a big battery or any battery really for running, I run my very small dirt bike battery just to have bright lights when needed, mostly for a brighter brake light as I don't run my lights during day time.
Anyway we all have our chosen ignitions systems and all work with different results, stock points work well when they are set up right and kept up with maintenance, EI work great with no maintenance at all, but when they do fail they will leave you standard somewhere and they can fail without warning as my first 2 did, but the first Boyar was not the fault of the Boyar.
There are so many different way to go to power our Norton's these day, it depends in what you want as well how much you are willing to do as maintenance goes as stock ignition system you need to know how to keep them maintained and if you not very good at working on your bike they can be trouble some, EI ignitions if set up right they can be trouble free for many years of riding, but they can fail and leave you standard, even magnetos can stop you, nothing is perfect and can cause problems, as others have said there are a lot of knock off replacement parts that fail or not up to scratch, EI are cheap to buy and work well when they are working, but they need a good reliable power source, stock points will get you home if your battery fails if you are running a copastor in your wiring system.
As for myself the Joe Hunt work so well for my set up and always fires up on first kick every time even after sitting for a few months, if you run points or EI no one will ever know and as you know there aren't too many Commandos that haven't had some modern upgrades from stock, you wouldn't know by looking at them, and by the way you have change your Norton, just set it up for yourself and enjoy the ride, who really cares if its stock or not.
Ashley
