OUT IN THE SHED
You can get in touch with Pete at...
[email protected]
or call (02) 6553 9442 after 7.00pmLEFT Chris Zoch at work on the automotive test
bench he acquired from the late Ivan Brown.
ABOVE The Tri-Spark housing to replace magnetos.Tri-Spark is not self-generating and needs battery
power to start; it does have a built in advance and
retard mechanism. The coils have a double spark
hence there is the wasted spark. Steve has a small
body to carry this system which will replace the
earlier magneto housing, however it does not have
the appearance of the Lucas or BTH bodies. This
type he has supplied to Godet in France for fitting
to Vincent machines. The majority of his buyers
are those wanting these systems for Norton
Commandos and Triumphs. However they can be
adapted to any configuration of cranks with him
supplying them for those who have undertaken
a 76 degree conversion for Triumphs or Nortons.
This utilisers the FireBox Pro kit which is also used
on the Honda Four machines.
Tri-Spark requires the removal of the points
system and can usually be fitted by the machine’s
owner in half an hour or so by following the
instructions supplied. Steve points out that these
systems have a consistent static timing.
Steve can be contacted on (08) 8371 1664 during
business hours or email [email protected]
I point out here that there are many owners of
earlier machines who wish to retain the machine as
was originally manufactured, in which case they will
stay with the magneto. Bear in mind that magnetos
have proven over many years to be operationally
effective and given many years of good reliable
service. I have provided this information to give a
very brief overview of what is available and from
whom.
See you next issue,
Petegenerators and regulators. With magnetos this
includes both primary and secondary rewinding,
magnetising and bearing replacements. He tells me
that winding is the most critical part, ensuring that
it is done properly and then insulated. He pointed
out a couple of other common problems such as the
worn cam rings causing a variation in the timing
between the two cylinders. These can either be
ground or replaced with new cams. Also wear can
take place in the pivot pin for the points which
frequently goes undetected.
In some instances he has had magnetos sent to
him where the owner had been unable to obtain the
correct one for his machine. One instance of this was
where one for a JAP was to be used on an early
model Harley-Davidson. This required reversing the
direction as well as shifting the timing. He tells me
that the funny side was just after he had returned this
magneto he got one for an early H.D. to convert to run
on a JAP. Had they both been at the same time with
the customer’s approval he could have exchanged
the components and involved less work and cost.
Chis can be contacted on (02) 6556 1521, 0424
011 767 or email [email protected]Electronic Ignitions
Steve Kelly is the proprietor of Adelaide-based firm
Tri Spark and is a Canadian who migrated here in- In Canada he qualified in Electronic
Technology and undertook designing and building
sub-station monitoring systems. When he came
here he brought with him a 1986 Triumph Trident
which he still owns. He toyed with this machine
where at times he found there was a supply of poor
quality parts. In 2005 he began to toy with the
Trident ignition system, and spent about a year
toying around testing and making changes.
Magneto or Electronic ignition?
In this day and agethere are so many
technological advances that it is impossible to keep
up with them. Sometimes when I get to hear about
them they are already outdated. I have decided that
I will briefly look at who is providing services and
products for the old and new in the motorcycle
ignition field, that is, magneto or electronic ignitions.
Magnetos
Firstly I called to see Chris ZOCH, a retired Industrial
Chemist who worked in the textile industry and
recently moved to Harrington on the NSW north
coast. As a youngster he toyed around with old
radios then later with hi-fi amplifiers. As a child the
family lived on a farm in Victoria when his father
purchased a 1942 Chevrolet Ambulance which had
an ex-PMG BSA Bantam in the back, and when he
was about 16 he started playing around with this
machine. However he did not really become an avid
motorcyclist until about 1995 when he had a ride at
Amaroo Park on a machine loaned to him by the late
Brian Kemsley. This resulted in him purchasing a 350
Gold Star. About this time he got to meet the late
Ivan Brown who I also had dealings with. Ivan was a
very astute and knowledgeable auto electrician who
at that time was in the Penrith area before moving
to Mudgeeraba, Queensland. Chris developed an
electronic regulator which he supplied to Ivan for
approximately ten years. He tells me that he started
spending time with Ivan and learning about the
restoration of magnetos and generators. Sadly Ivan
passed away in July 2010 and Chris purchased the
stock and equipment which he then moved back to
his then residence at Seven Hills, Sydney.
Chris is able to undertake repairs to magnetos,