Thorspark any info?

[PeteB31]

I have just fitted Thorspark ignition to my B33. Any sparks you get by turning the back wheel or even twiddling the rotor with a stick in a power drill will not be in the correct place or even anywhere near it.
Make an initial setting to the black line on the sensor if still visible, this should be close enough to get the bike going. Then use a strobe and timing disk or similar. 

It seems unlikely that the position would change once set correctly, unless the screw holding the rotor to the magneto armature is lose.

Pete

[scifi]

The triggering mechanism on these electronic ignitions is usually offset from the main encapsulation.   If your Mag turns backwards, you need a pick-up on the other side..  Do Thorspark make a different pick-up for your rotation..?

[Derek996]

The same pickup is used irrespectve of the magneto's rotation. It is fitted to the points backplate which is specific to the type of magneto. So the pickup postion is correct for both rotations. This a picture of the Thorspark fitted to an anticlockwise rotating mag.

[B31Thumper]

Thanks Pete for sending the Thorspark instructions!

However, I seem to be mistaken. As  mentioned by others and in the instructions, manually turning the engine might create a spark elsewhere on the pickup but won't start the bike.  Consequently, I've had to return it to its original position.

Now I'm back at square one spinning in circles, wondering if it's the carburettor. This is really getting to me.

I've stripped the carburettor again and tried the original float and float needle. I thought the new float might be more buoyant and closing the inlet valve. Unfortunately, the same issue persists; it idles but won't pick up when the throttle is applied.

[Ian C]

Where are you positioning the Advance/Retard lever on the handlebar for 'revving up'? If your Mag is Slack advance, you push the lever away from you to advance, but pull it towards you to advance if a Tight advance Mag.

[limeyrob]

Regarding rotation. While the pick up and rotor are not rotation specific, my experience with another type of electronic ignition is that the timing is. I don't know about Thorspark but if its magnetic or induction it may have a natural advance due to the increase in rate of rise of magnetic flux at the speed goes up.

[B31Thumper]

Where are you positioning the Advance/Retard lever on the handlebar for 'revving up'? If your Mag is Slack advance, you push the lever away from you to advance, but pull it towards you to advance if a Tight advance Mag.

Mine is tight wire advance.

[B31Thumper]

🤦�♂️ It turns out the battery was flat. Thorspark was lacking power so while it could start and idle it didn't have enough to sustain a spark under load.  Everything's sorted now. Thanks for all the information.

[Rog1]

🤦�♂️ It turns out the battery was flat. Thorspark was lacking power so while it could start and idle it didn't have enough to sustain a spark under load.  Everything's sorted now. Thanks for all the information.

Excellent.

[the chippy]

🤦�♂️ It turns out the battery was flat. Thorspark was lacking power so while it could start and idle it didn't have enough to sustain a spark under load.  Everything's sorted now. Thanks for all the information.

Excellent.

Sorry I am late to this party.  And I am so glad you sorted out the problem.  I was getting concerned reading through comments from the beginning that the Thorspark was not good, as I have just ordered the Thorspark for my 1950 B31, its in the post as I write this.
But I was thinking, if your bike started with the poor battery why did it not pick up power as it charged..
Is it still ok now?
All the best Steve