Hi,
A bit of a strange one but does anyone know the distance between centres of the crank and dynamo on a Velocette?
A long shot but the idea is to see if the Alton starter kit for the Velo could be adapted to work on an a '51 A10. If the centres are the same or very close then it may work especially if the crank shaft splines are the same as well.
Dave.
Can't help with the dimensions, but there are A7/10 electric starter kits available.
Hi,
The available kit is for the later swinging arm frame and cannot be fitted to the plunger frame.
The Velo kit is basically an external bolt on item and the crucial dimension is between the crank and dynamo centres.
It would mean modifying the primary cover but if it works it will be worth it.
Dave.
Hi Dave,
if the starter motor sits where the dynamo is usually placed, what will you do for battery and lights?
i have had a full right hand knee replacement and still prefer a kick start to a dead battery.
Hi,
If you look closely you will see a small alternator towards the front of the kit. It has a similar out put to the Alton alternator so lights etc a catered for and a more powerful battery is needed.
The kick start is still there for emergencies.
Looking at the start motor I think it is more of an electric motor rather than a high cranking starter and it is the gearing that allows it turn the engine. The splined shaft on the motor looks to be about 10mm to 12mm. The gear it turns is much larger and the small sprocket attached to that turns the much larger sprag clutch. What the gearing is between motor and crank is difficult to determine without having the parts to hand.
It would also be worth investigating if the motor could be utilised as generator so doing away with the need for the small alternator and a sprocket rather than a sprag clutch would do.
Who would supply such a motor or has Alton had it made?
Dave.
There have been some DIY conversions (I recall an AMC single) using a dyna-starter.
Search for "electric start for AJS 18"
Hi,
I will have a look. I remember the Dynastart on NSU cars and few other things but they are quite big and heavy and hard to find.
Dave.
There are copies of the Bosch on e-bay for under £200. They are big and heavy but it does mean a single unit rather then two. If you can find room then there it could be a simpler conversion.
Having at one time ridden a plunger 'Flash it was a very soft motor and easy to start. Could you just drop it to 6.5:1 comp?
Hi,
Currently the engine is to Road Rocket spec but with Spitfire cam, iron head, +0.080" pistons making it about a 680cc at about 8:1 or 8.5:1 comp. All this makes it a bit harder to start than std. and my wife's 69 year old knee has been starting this bike for 30 years but has started to complain a bit - hence electric start would be ideal and avoid completely changing the spec. of the engine but that may be inevitable. 6.5:1 pistons are hard to find but I could sleeve the barrels back to standard and run 7.5 comp. if absolutely necessary.
I am looking at the individual components of the Alton Velo. kit and it is really only a collection of components cleverly arranged.
A 76mm 12v starter motor can be found for about £40, bearings that serve as a sprag clutch are quite common as are various sprockets and pinions. I reckon that I could get them all for less than £150 but the question is wether or not I have the brain/skills to put it all together. The oil tightness of the primary chain case would be compromised.
How much lubrication does the primary drive need?
A nipple to allow the application of chain lube could be installed or indeed a Scott Oiler - they work very well for rear chains.
All ideas in the air at present but I think I need to start with the starter motor to see how it all lines up. Some thing like on the Triumphs may do and a local breaker may be able to help with that.
Dave.
OK so that's not the plunger 'Flash I know! I have a RR with 8.5 / +60 pistons and (my error) and 356 cam so its takes some kicking as there's not much valve overlap. I've just started it today, I'm 71 and missing a kneecap but luckily its the left one not the right : )
My own thought is that the electric start, associated bits, bigger generator and bigger battery add a lot of weight and I find the bike weight at least as much of a challenge as the kicking force. The guy who did the AJS 18 (500 single) conversion is very pleased with it but its a lighter bike and has a de-compressor. Without one you would could a beefy set up.
I used to own a Harley Sportster - 883 so its 440 or so cc to turn over and the electric starter did fine, but (and this is why I only have magneto bikes now) if the battery wasn't 100% it struggled. With my use - ie laid up for a few months every winter, the batteries were only lasting 3 years even on a trickle charge.
Hi,
I agree about the increased weight but at least it is low down. The starter is probably the same weight as the dynamo so it is the other bits that are adding to the weight.
The plate that every thing is attached to is probably aluminium but there will be weight gain but I am sure that electric starting will compensate for this.
Dave.