Thorspark Electronic Ignition Conversion

[mo goldie]

Hi guy`s

having trouble with my mag on my Goldie RGS seems like it just needed a clean of pick ups etc, done that twice now but its not worked it seem as if it`s hard to start the bike bit hit and miss, went out for a ride went fine stopped had a cup of Tea went to start it and nothing Not even a spark at the plugs so Not fuel as spark plugs the right color been running fine, the mag was done buy Dave Lindsey I Know back in 2010 but even now its only done 2,900 miles. so I thought how about Electronic Ign......

So anyone got any suggestions as to what route to go found this one but don`t know anything about them  Thorspark Electronic Ignition Conversion at £175 or is there something else to use to keep the look of the old.......as they say that it use the old mag ?

Cheers Mo   

[DAVE BRADY]

Hi,

SRM do a kit using Boyer but have you considered getting the mag checked out.  In my experience mags like to used and 2900 miles in 12 years is not much.  I would think that Dave Lindsey would be happy to have a look at it, otherwise try Priory Magnetos.

The advantage of EI is much better control of the ignition advance curve and a more reliable spark at all engine speeds but it does depend on the battery and so a good dynamo.

Dave.

[mo goldie]

Hi Dave

well my Dynamo has all been done and and upgrade on the reg/rec as that was what done my Dynamo in so that all good Now, and I do like the idea of the EI as so much more reliable so will have a look at SRM ones.

Thanks Mo

just looked on the SRM site but it don`t give a price for the units ?

[DAVE BRADY]

Hi,

A couple of screenshots.  The SRM one and the Wassel version.

[JulianS]

Photo shows SRM trigger/stator installed in the mag on my A10.

Now reverted to a magneto.

[OLDBEEZAGEEZER]

I had Thorspark on my mag but when I had the engine rebuilt the chap that rebuilt it wasn't very complimentary about it. The chap who rebuilt my A10 said he had had a lot of customers complaining about reliability of Thorspark and recommended Wassell.

In the scheme of things while dishing out loads of dosh for the rebuild the cost of the Wassel just made the bottom line bigger. The wassel was fitted and timed as part of the build. If I kick it more than twice it is usually because I haven't turned the ignition on! Free the clutch, fuel on, tickle carb switch on and give it a kick and away we go.

It looks like a updated magneto with a dummy pick up lead. The coils are tucked up under the battery tray and it all looks tidy. One year on and I am pleased with it

[mo goldie]

well guy`s thanks for your advice its been good to have some feed back, I still Like the Thorspark Electronic Ignition Conversion as it keeps the look of the old by using the old Mag housing, the thing is they say to strobe the timing up but No one has said how this is done ? do you have to take the primary cover off to time it up...if so how ? 

Mo

[DAVE BRADY]

Hi,

To strobe the timing you would probably need to take the primary cover off in order to have a degree disc and a pointer.
you will probably find that by taking your time and double checking you will get the timing right statically.
With the EI there is no advance and retard unit to mess things up and there is scope for some adjustment by turning the stator if needed.

Dave.

[bikerbob]

A couple of months ago I had a magneto problem ad did consider going over to the thorspark ignition but it is not just a case of fitting the unit in the mag you have to fit a dual coil somewhere and you are also reliant on having a decent battery, whereas with a magneto battery is only for the lights. I eventually decided to get the mag refurbished by Priory Magnetos who did an excellent job and I can highly recommend give them a ring and talk to the owner Andrew he is very helpful.

[mo goldie]

Hi Bob

Yes some people have said send it back to Dave Lindsey for him to look at as he done the overhaul but thing is don`t know what he will charge to sort it out again ....yes I know I wont know that till I ring and find out,,,,,,, but it has been done back in 2010 and its only done 2,900 miles in that time,,,, so that's why I thought to use a EI system as it should be fit and forget.. well almost ha 

[cdsdorset]

Give Paul a ring at APL in Shaftesbury. See how he compares on price, not many know more about mags than he does.t

[JulianS]

Remember with Thorspark that you will still keep the magnetos shaft bearings, oil seal and, if fitted, the advance/retard mechanism, all of which will need to be in good condition.

[bikerbob]

You can get an idea of cost on the Priory Magneto website he charges £75 for strip and rebuild  with whatever parts ae required extra so if you needed a new armature it would cost you £75 plus £145 for the armature. Magnetos in the main are very reliable yours has failed after 2900 miles but it has stood for quite some time which does not help any electrical component, the same could happen to the dynamo.  I have an A7 as well as an A65 the A65 has had a Pazon electronic ignition system fitted for 12 years now with no problems but what powers that system ie alternater and coils which were renewed at the same time as the  Pazon. I have had the alternater and rotor replaced and also one coil. I don,t think that that any system is more reliable than the other. A couple of years ago I was out on the A7 and had a dead short it flattened the battery in minutes but I could still ride the bike home with the magneto. You will always have something to fix on old bikes to me that is just part of enjoying them I get just as much satisfaction  working on them as riding them.

[Keith L]

I fitted a Thorspark to my Velocette MAC single. These bikes are notoriously hard to start and the Thorspark sorted the problem. I had great difficulty in getting the timing right even with a timing light because it was chicken and egg. The timing had to be right to start the bike! Eventually I got it right by trial and error which is very easy to do because you just turn the Thorspark rotor in the magneto. However, remember that the smallest of turns is several degrees. Any worries about battery failure can be easily remedied by carrying a small £20 Lucas battery as a spare. Thorspark uses very little electricity and will also run on 4 AA 1.5v batteries if connected up. Also, remember that the Thorspark relies on your Automatic Timing Device if fitted whereas other systems don't.

Keith

[TTJOHN]

I thought I had trouble with my mag on my A7 and was about to take it off but then I thought I would check the earth button with a meter and sure enough it was down to earth, soon as I removed the lead at the mag she started first kick. I have never had any problems with mags, I did have one repaired by Tony Cooper in Hales Owen and it was well worth doing, a cracking spark every time.

TTJohn