Hitchcocks Forum

Hi all. I'm working through how I'm going to set up the electrics on my '62 Crusader Sport, currently being restored.

I'd like to build in sensible enhancements to try and improve reliability etc.

Is it possible to fit an electronic ignition system on the Crusader? I've seen the thread about the Electrex World system but that seems to have inherent problem around power output for lighting. I can't find any other alternatives?

Is the original points system just so reliable that no-one changes it?

TIA, Noel

Traditional points ignition still has its staunch defenders, so having it timed and adjusted properly with an auto-advance unit in good condition will probably do, unless your CS is tuned up enough to be fussy about modern petrol.

From the parts book the whole contact breaker assembly doesn't seem quite the same. The points and their mounting plate admittedly do look like the Lucas 4CA job, for which a Boyer or Pazon ignition stator plate is a straight swap, so THAT side of a conversion would be easy enough, BUT the auto-advance unit looks different from the later Lucas type, into which the electronic ignition rotor fits, so simply swapping to a Boyer or Pazon might not be as straightforward as it would be on another later British bike or an Indian Bullet for that matter. I will give way to the experts on this one!

https://www.hitchcocksmotorcycles.com/p ... -pages/215

For now it looks like the Electrex World CDI kit might be your only bolt-on option, but I have to admit that the low lighting output from their kits which actually have lighting coils is a deterrent. For some reason they offer a CDI stator kit for Ducati unit singles which has a better lighting output, but not for old British stuff. Shame.

The only other thing I could think of would be to use points-assisted electronic ignition which is supposed to be easier on the points than the normal set-up.

As Exile suggests, our hosts would be worth consulting. Otherwise you could contact Boyer or Pazon directly in case they have a solution. Wassell's also market an electronic ignition, maybe they have one for the RE unit 250s? Also the RE Owners' Club model specialist will have come across this issue before, no doubt.

A.

If you are 12V then both Boyer and Hitchcocks sell electronic ignition kits for Crusaders. Search part BOYER5 which is what Hitchcocks actually fitted to one of my Continental GT's several years ago in the days when they did actual workshop work on RE's.

I actually prefer old fashioned points but unfortunately it now seems to be getting difffiult to get the mechanical parts. Points, condensors, coils etc remain readily obtainable.

You can get further advice on the Facebook Group dedicated to the Crusader/GT (if you are not already a member)

Well, that will make life easier. It makes sense to have a dedicated kit for these, as there still seem to be plenty of the unit 250s around, and especially if parts for the mechanical auto advance are getting scarcer.

!2V electrics are worth it in their own right, whatever ignition you're using.

A.

Thanks all for the helpful replies.
I’ll call Hitchcocks - I guess I made the mistake of thinking that, because I couldn’t see something on the website, then it wasn’t available.
I’m definitely of a mind to do a 12 v conversion - that seems really worthwhile.
And I had no idea there was a dedicated FB site - I’ll definitely join that.
Thanks again - super helpful as always.
Noel

NoelS wrote: ↑

Tue Feb 01, 2022 10:28 pm

Thanks all for the helpful replies.
I’ll call Hitchcocks - I guess I made the mistake of thinking that, because I couldn’t see something on the website, then it wasn’t available.
I’m definitely of a mind to do a 12 v conversion - that seems really worthwhile.
And I had no idea there was a dedicated FB site - I’ll definitely join that.
Thanks again - super helpful as always.
Noel

The FB Group is private and you will have to apply to join.

You can find it at https://www.facebook.com/groups/616067499147220