Hitchcocks Forum

Hi. I am rebuilding a Connie and in the interests of reliability I am considering replacing the Mag with some electronictrickery. Has anyone replaced the K2F Mag with either a Pazon Surefire system (Goffy sells them with neat Ally housings) or the Thorspark system from Sussex Motorcycles which sits inside the Mag body?
Any views on the subject generally?
Thanks
Stephen

Stephen, a few things to consider: have you got a manual or auto K2F? The length of the spindle on Goffy's conversion may not be long enough when the spacer plate required on the Connie is taken into account. The Thorspark system looks good but I don't know anyone who's fitted one. You could try Kirby Rowbotham (Google him) who has a very good rep for a K2F bodied conversion. Or you could do what I did when I rebuilt my Mk1 Interceptor recently which is get the best magneto rebuild you can, I use Dave Fisher on 01929 421255. I have no connection other than a happy customer, he's done at least 4 mags for me and the Inter for instance is a first kick starter even on a hot day like today, I just came back in after a ride so can swear it's true!
REgards, Mark

Stephen,

magneto replacements seem quite common, I know of someone who is using a Pazon setup complete with electronic rev-counter take off quite happily on a Connie-engined special, so it's no big deal, just the extra wiring, the trigger drive, find room to fit an ignition switch plus coils and make sure the rest of your electrics are 12 volted and working OK. Our Hosts' Boyer kits would probably work just as well.

Plan B, fit a BT-H electronic magneto as a direct replacement for the K2F, all the benefits of electronic ignition but it's still self-generating and therefore doesn't depend on the rest of the electrics for the spark or need extra components fitted. The only downside is the price (ouch), which is why I suspect our Hosts do not stock them!

Regards,

A.

Just a small warning about BTH electronic mags, there has been quite a bit of comment on the RealClassic Message Board about their reliability and difficulty of obtaining after sales service. I make no other comment!
REgards, Mark

Thanks Adrian and Mark for your suggestions!
Mark
It's a manual advance Mag. Is that good or bad in terms of Goffy's spindle length issue??
I'll have a look at the KirbyR system and take on board your comment about recon Mag.
Thanks Stephen

Stephen, to be honest I don't know which way it works with the Goffy unit but I thought I'd point it out as it's not obvious that the mag has an adaptor in Enfield use and as far as I know no other twin has a similar arrangement. Also note that the Enfield mag is clockwise rotation (think that's right,) which is the reverse to most others. All things you need to tell a potential supplier! REgards, Mark

"Hi. I am rebuilding a Connie and in the interests of reliability I am considering replacing the Mag with some electronictrickery."

As mark says Dave Fisher will rebuild your mag, and quite honestly when it is done it will be better than when it was new, reliabilty will be equal to any "electronictrickery" you can buy, also it won't matter if you leave a light on, have a reg/rec fail, an alternator fail or battery die ETC, the mag will still get you home.

I have fitted a couple of Pazon units with good results but as Dennis says a good mag is a good thing. Out here getting mags rebuilt is a bit of a crap shoot so fitting the Pazon was the best option