I have owned a Lightning for quite a few years and it has not really run properly since I bought it. Anyway after a lot of work including new electronic ignition, timing, tuning, etc it still wouldn't start properly so I decided to change the coils. Long story short, I couldn't get the coils back correctly so that the side panels would fit properly. I lost interest at that point, put the parts in a box and completely rebuilt a C15G over several years. That is finished and roadworthy so back to the Lightning. I still cannot get the coils to fit in the small space between the side panels and on looking at the parts list, I can see there should be 2 brackets 68-9278 and 68-9279. They are not in the box and I don't think they were on the bike when I took the coils off. I am not sure if the previous owner had somehow managed to fit the coils without the brackets or whether I have misplaced them. So my query is, are these brackets essential or can the coils be made to somehow fit with out them? They are not easily found in the UK but I know Baxtercycles have them in the US but at a cost. Any advice would be appreciated.
The correct clips are readily available here in the UK. I bought one from Burton Bike bits part no 83-1603 for the smaller dia 1.5/8" more modern coils. £6.75 each. They are a 'P clip' type design and fit a treat. If you have the earlier larger dia coils then call them first to make sure they have them.
Please also be aware that some electronic ignitions require the 12 volt coils replacing with 6 volt coils for it to work correctly. JJ.
Thanks for the replies. I have 2 new 6v coils from Burton Bike Bits and I have the P fittings. What I am querying is whether the brackets are necessary to fit the P fitting holding the coil to the bar which runs between the 2 sides or not. Hopefully uploaded picture is accessible to show what I mean. BSA obviously used them but I am thinking that they were not on the bike when I removed the coils those few years ago and that it is possible to bolt directly to the bar with some jiggling about.
That's a strange set up there. I don't know what those dog leg brackets are for, but the coil clips just bolt through the coil mtg bar straight into the tapped holes in the frame (with 1/4 BScycle bolts). The clips are horizontal and the coils vertical with the HT and Lt leads uppermost.
Boyer say 12v or 6v is OK but 6v will give a stronger spark.
Hope that helps
Chris
Nothing strange about it, pre 68 this is the setup used for the twin carbs although 68 on actually used the same style as the thunderbolts, which mount off the bottom engine plate. Using the top bolt and using a dog leg bracket.
The bracket setup you have mounts to the frame using the holes in the 2 short brackets. All looks very Heath Robinson but that's how they did it.
If I can find any photo of the setup I'll post a link.
See if this works. I borrowed the image from another forum. (https://www.bsaownersclub.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi266.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fii241%2Ftstansfield%2F108-0889_IMG.jpg&hash=05343e866cf61d35f7a8c5db6aa612da9f2212b8)
To see the later style bracket and mount, follow the link
http://www.britbike.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=381003
Ah-Hah! Of course, its a design codge to avoid the twin carbs. I have only ever had a Thunderbolt and the A50 so have never seen the set up for the twin carb Lightning etc. in the flesh.
Thanks for that, we learn something new every day.
The parts books aren't a help either, as they changed the setup to what is in the link but even in 70 they didn't alter the book.
Thanks for the replies. I minutely examined photos of the bike I took before I tried to change the coils. I can see that the right hand side panel tips slightly down towards the tank and tightly fits around the oil filler on the rear side, consistent with the side panel not being quite level. So I am confident that it was a bodge by the previous owner to remove the brackets and bolt everything to the side panel bracket holes making it half an inch or so lower. I will rectify this. These coil brackets are unobtainable in the UK although I am waiting to hear back from a breaker but I won't hold my breath. I know I can get all the parts and the BSA specified bolts from Baxtercycles in the US but at a cost. I think I will order what I need from them by the end of the week so I can do the job properly. Will post a picture or two once I have reassembled the coils.
I have now got the parts and have attached a picture of a dry fit to show all the bits. It is not how it is on the bike. Interestingly there is a lot of fiddling around and I had to reverse some of the brackets to get the right angles out from the frame. Suddenly it all made sense and I
Accidentally sent the last message too quick. Have attached a picture of a dry fit of the brackets which bears no relation to how it fits on the bike. I fiddled about with it and with some jiggery pokery got it to fit on the bike, attached the coils and then checked that they were not fouling the side panels or the air filter on the left. The problem then came in tightening up the nuts and bolts as they were all now in awkward places. Still, it is done. I just need to sort out what wires go where on the ignition coils.
Can't send picture for some reason