Hitchcocks Forum

I am nearing the end of the restoration on my 1952 RE125. I am experiencing 2 problems that as yet I have been unable to resolve.
The first is the lack of any generated electricity. Absolutely nothing from any of the coils. There would not appear to be any breakages or shorts in the windings & the magnets would seem to be ok. Can anyone suggest where I might now look for the problem or suggest someone to take the parts too for testing?
The second concerns the rear brake & especially the lever arm. All the pictures I have seen show the arm pointing up but on my bike if I try this the arm fouls the mudguard stays & is at the wrong angle. It sort of fits in pointing down but the rod then rubs on the frame & the arm is also very close to the rear wheel adjuster. Have I just got the wrong brake arm.
Any info advise on either of the above would be appreciated. I would like to get the bike back on the road this spring if possible.

My knowledge of the Flying Flea generator is nil. However, I suspect it works on the same principle as the BSA Bantam (D1 to D7). There should be two types of coil. Lighting coil and Ignition coil. The lighting coil with be earthed at one end. The other end will be attached to a terminal in the generator. A wire will run from this terminal to a terminal on a bulb. The other terminal on the bulb with run to earth (This is now a complete circuit). On the ignition coil, one end will go to earth. The other end will go to the contact breakers. Somewhere on the surface of the coil will be metal tab. The HT lead attaches to this tab and goes to the spark plug (This is now a completed circuit). You should now have a very basic electrical system. Give this a try. If you get some joy, I'll explain the remainder.

Hi guys------------ this might be of help ??}------ PART No. DESCRIPTION PRICE
USED1111 *USED* WIPAC FLYING FLEA / RE 125 IGNITION FLYWHEEL, CONDITION 5/10. £35.00
-------------- it's in our hosts "Used parts" section.

This would be the 125cc Ensign would'nt it Jarvo, good luck with it and hope you get it going as one of these was my first bike PAR 136 but dont suppose it's that one. Watch out for that bloody bulbous exaust keep coming off of the barrell as your going along though.

------------- and here's the picture that's with it }---------------- ------------------------

---------- we've NO SPARK and I'm having trouble with the SIZE !!.... Must be an AGE thing ????

That picture is of a Wico-Pacy unit. It's the same sort that was fitted to a D1 to D7 Bantam. The ignition coil is at the top and the lighting coils are at the bottom. If you're lucky, you'll have 3 coils at the bottom. If you're not, You'll only have 2. That extra coil does make a difference.

Thanks for all the responses. For further info the bike uses a Miller system not the Wipac. The coils are all connected & have continuity through to the various plug terminals on the outer case. There is not an obvious reason why it isn't geneating any power but there is nothing from any of the 3 coils. The points etc all work ok as i have tested by connecting up to a 6v battery & this produces a good spark at the plug. Keep on sending me your thoughts. Someone will have a brainwave.

I've got this funny feeling that you've got the coils earthed at both ends. They should only be earthed at one end. Try disconnecting the coils from the terminals and then check which terminal go to earth. Also, if you have two of the lighting coils connented in series, they need to be connected in phase with each other (End of coil 1 to the start of coil 2). Otherwise, they will cancel each other out.

Thanks for help Barry. Will investigate your theory although I don't think it is possible to earth both ends of the coils unless they are earthing through a short or something amiss around the points?? Will check it out anyway.