Condenser nut size

[Phil C]

In such a confined space as a points unit, it's handy to have a little spanner that is a good fit on  the nut on the condenser, where the wire connects. I can't find my little set of pivoted mag spanners (grrrr...) but trying other small spanners I have I find 6.5 mm A/F too small and 7mm too big. So I'm wondering what it can be. I thought it might be 4BA but checking in my little chart I see that would be 0.249", ie less than 6.5, so the 6.5 spanner would have gone on. Any ideas?

[Phil C]

I can't make out what it is, which is annoying given that I put the nut on a couple of years or so ago. Tried 6.5mm (too small), 7mm ( too big), and 4BA ( too small.) Can anybody tell me please? Otherwise I'll just have to file one of the too small ones out to fit.   Phil

[idie]

What about a 3BA!

[Phil C]

Why didn't I think of that?! Must be. Just ordered one. Thanks idie. You must think I'm extremely dim.  Phil

[idie]

Not at all. All old bikes are a learning curve. I have a set of BA spanner which I have had for years.

[courtney]

I'm still learning with these sizes. After working on metric bikes I've got used to judging by eye and feel what's what, but these bloody things are a pain! I work in a charity shop and we often get boxes of old tools, so I'm lucky I get first dibs on any old spanners and sockets, which is handy.

[Phil C]

Still waiting for my little spanner to arrive (eBay.) The reason I want it is that while I've got the timing side outer cover off I thought I may as well replace the points wire, as the current one is the wrong colour (should be BW) and has a bullet connection on top of the casing near the clutch arm (wiring diagram shows no connection.) Maybe I'm just a bit bored.  Phil

[courtney]

You can come and fix mine if you're bored.