Hi,
For my Norton-Imp creation I only have a few parts at the moment, an Intermotor sports ignition coil, a 25D Lucas Distributor various Imp and Morris Minor, optional High Tech, Electronic 123 Distributor, Italian 12volt horns, a wiring loom off a Jawa 350 and associated switchgear; I am starting off with almost a blank sheet type situation! Obviously I am going for 12 volt system!
I would prefer a "modernised" type set-up, with a multiple-type fuse box arrangement, I intend to wire in a Power access point, plus gauges Ammeter, Battery Charging , water Temperature and oil pressure and will be fitting a mechanical water-pump, talbot 930 unit.
My biggest dilemma is whether to use a crank-mounted motorcycle type alternator or a light-weight car type one and this centres on the mounting point and output rating options.
Has anyone out there done something similar to this exercise and if experience has taught any tips strategies I would be grateful/interested in, what component parts/wiring system had been used and why?.
Many Thanks
John H
I have no experience in im…
- Log in to post comments
Hi Karl, I will start the…
Hi Karl,
I will start the engine from a Norton Gearbox with a kickstart, one thing I really hated about my K75 was it had no kickstart, I had some practice at the weekend on a Blueprinted, tuned up, over-geared TR25 Triumph Trailblazer with a Carrillo rod, that ran like a crazy revving beast, essentially a B25 engine! The restricted Country road I was on would not allow me to reach top-gear! Shades of DB34 and Vincent Black Shadow syndrome from a mere 249cc!
Owing to weight and the fact an 4 cylinder Imp engine, is I am told easy to flick over, I will give a starter a miss!
There are upgraded bike alternators available, my friend has a after-market 360 watt Harley unit on his rather than the usual later Lucas 180 watt offering! Although he is English he resident in the USA and options for stuff to tinker with and buy is cheaper and more plentiful!
I can get a good lightweight car alternator fairly cheaply, but of course mounting it is a more complicated option, it would have to be triangulated to the water-pump and crank.
Just wondered if someone out there had carried out a over-haul and changed things to modernise the electrical system a little or even a lot!
As a teenager, I had a 441cc BSA single, so quickly grew accustomed to kick starting unit singles or it was walkies or more correctly pushies!
Cheers
John H
- Log in to post comments
Hi John, My first thoughts…
Hi John, My first thoughts were that you should try to reduce weight as far as possible as its a lump already and a belt drive alternator is an unnecessary complication, if you can fit a kickstart and manage that you won't need a startermotor ,solenoid and big battery,four pipes into one silencer will be efficient and light .You won't need an oil cooler. An alloy tank and fork yokes and you may finish up with a really manageable bike.
- Log in to post comments
Thanks Robert! The Imp eng…
Thanks Robert!
The Imp engine is only 10-15 pounds heavier than a Norton twin, but I have water-cooling to contend with so 1 x light-weight twin radiator set and a very light weight oil-cooler too!
I could save weight with an electric water-pump, but I do not trust them and prefer a mechanical unit, the light-weight car alternators are I believe high output & really quite light in weight and can be adapted to chain drive if I wish!
Fly wheel weight is at present 41/2 pounds, Geoff Monty formula!
I will look at crank mounted alternators too.
I was aiming for 420/430lbs way down on my 500lb plus K75!
Cheers
John H
- Log in to post comments
Robert, Additionally a Dur…
Robert,
Additionally a Duralumin plate will support the set up for the Primary Drive, It has a crank adaptor to the standard Norton Commando triple chain drive, then through a Commando clutch basket with 4 x Barnett steel and 5 x friction plates in ATF and then an extended mainshaft supported by an outrigger bearing, across to an AMC/Norton gearbox with a kick start, plus now an Atlantic Green seal in it, thanks to Peter Hatfield's supply and Dave Comeau's manufactured design work!
Cheers
John H
- Log in to post comments
I have no experience in imp engines but if you have the space it fit one then a car type alternator would certainly put out a much higher output than the traditional British Motorcycle offerings. If you intend to try to retain the engine's electric starter system (again space an weight permitting) i would guess it to be essential.