1938 Norton 16H

You need an E3 / E3L type (the L stands for "Long" and puts out 60 watts as opposed to 45 (if memory serves)). It needs to be of the magdyno type with a gear wheel drive and ideally of the correct rotation for your bike (although this can be changed). Rotation direction, as does specific type, depends on the year of your 16H.

Solid state regulators are widely available and Alan Osborn of this parish does a well regarded one.

Welcome to the forum - there are many knowledgeable people here.

http://www.powerdynamo.biz/eng/products.htm       12V - 60W (1000RPM=35W)

Replace the Lucas . In my 16h works very well. (It is a little expensive, more than 700 euros)

Saludos Gerardo.

Lots of people restore them - I can recommend Tony Cooper (no web site but phone 0121 559 2405). I don't know if he sells reconditioned units without an old one to swap but well worth a call.

I personally would stick with the original Lucas dynamo. I had an Alton device on a Velo Venom and it made so much racket I kept looking for the ambulance following me! Plus it had a very crude regulator that allowed the battery to discharge through it unless disconnected when stopped. And they're expensive. Remember that as you have a magneto you only need the dynamo for lights etc and if you use LED bulbs even if the dynamo isn't charging you'll be fine for hours of running.

My Venom with Alton generator works very well. But I'm still looking for a E3 to replace the faulty E3L on my 16H. I only ride it on sunny days, so 45W output will be enough.

The 1938 M01 Magdyno was fitted with an E3HM dynamo. Fortunately, there are far fewer variations between the dynamos than the magneto part of the instrument. There were some differences with end covers etc but basically, direction of rotation is the only variable.

Norton engines of this period were unusual in having the inlet cam driven as part of a train and not directly from the crank pinion so they have a clockwise magneto (viewed from the drive end). The dynamo, gear driven above it is anti-clock and therefore unusual too.

They work in both directions but the brush holders differ. A question of leading / trailing edges as they are positioned just off the centre line.

Tony Cooper is very good and will certainly exchange for one built to the correct spec. You may have to budget in for a non-working donor item to exchange.