Hitchcocks Forum

Hi peeps



I've just bought a new bike to replce my stolen Electra, a nice '98 350cc :-



http://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3526686/enf350-3.jpg


I believe the model originally to be a "Superstar" since it doesn't have the casquette, instead a small instrument cluster :-


http://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/3526 ... uments.jpg


The ignition switch is in the right hand toolbox and has 3 positions with off in the middle. The On position is one of the other positions, but what is the third? I seem to remember an "emergency" position on an early 90's 350 a friend had some time ago, but that was with the ignition switch on the casquette. If it is for emergency, can anyone enlighten me how it's supposed to be used?

Cheers
Doug

3rd time lucky...

Nice looking bike, (apart from the seat!), I hope you're investing a little in making your garage a bit more secure...



Lucas ignition switches with emergency start positions were fitted to 50s and 60 British bikes with 6V systems, the emergency start position allowed alternator current to the coil and bypass a flat battery. My old C15 had one, it did work, but you had to switch it back to the normal run position as soon as the engine started running.



When the UK industry migrated to 12V systems the ignition switch became a simple on/off switch as the RM21 alternators were supposedly powerful enough to chuck out enough power to overcome a flat battery at kick-starting revs.



Does your bike have the a 6V or 12V system? If 12V the emergency start position is irrelevant, if not it's probably worth upgrading from 6V to 12V.



A.

Aye, a large hole filled with concrete and a T-bar garage defender sunk into it has now appeared, with many chains


The seat is a bit of an uggo, but is surprisingly comfortable. One of the first bits on my shopping list is a single seat though, and the small rear rack. I might see if I can cut the pillion half off this one and round it off, and loose the chrome piping.


I'm pretty sure it's a 12v system, I just need to have a poke around the back of the ignition switch and see what's actually connected.

I think that seat looks bang on. Also the little indicators are nice. (Each to their own).

I like the seat too. Looks like the previous owner might have been a bit short in the leg.

Looks like you'd have no problem selling that seat on to go towards the cost of your single seat, though not via this form of course, as I'm sure you remember! A.

I checked, it is 12v.



The seat's growing on me, it fits my stumpy legs well - my Electra had the 2/3rds Scrambles seat from our host which, whilst comfy, was a tad too tall. Not a fan of the chrome piping on it though (the chrome airbox will probably go too).

Our hosts' oval air cleaner box would look nice as a replacement, or are you thinking of a pod filter or a bellmouth? A.