Hitchcocks Forum

I'm assembling the magdyno on the Ebay Bullet prior to doing the timing. I can't remember if you need to grease the dynamo pinion or not. Remember this is a fibre gear that comes off the magneto portion and a steel gear on the end of the dynamo. I seem to recall that grease is not recommended, can anyone confirm please?

REgards, Mark

Hi My first post! My only experience of Royal Enfield is my Indian bullet 65 but I did have several BSA singles with magdynos in the 70’s and 80’s and still have some original service sheets. Assuming the magdyno is the same ubiquitous lucas job, I am pretty sure it does not need lubricating. The fibre gear on the end of the mag is retained by a star washer which acts as a clutch spring if there is an undue load to prevent teeth stripping on the fibre gear so it can slip. Lubricant on this would not help.

Hi Mark,
If I am rebuilding a magdyno with a used fibre gear I don't bother as there is probably enough greasy stuff imbedded within the fibre teeth to lessen the wear from the steel dyno gear. If I am using a new fibre gear I oil the fibre teeth, let it sit for a hour, then wipe off the excess hoping that there might be some residue left behind just to aid the teeth in bedding in. And like Paul G said "any grease or lubrication on the drive clutch would not be good". Regards.

Thanks Chaps, all good points. I will leave it alone as although the mag has been rebuilt (by the excellent Dave Fisher, sadly now retired) it was a used example already.

REgards, Mark