Hitchcocks Forum

Hi I have just had my k2f mag reconditioned( due to failing when hot ). I rode at least 80 fun miles on the bike not pushing it over 55,Then disaster strikes. Bike started to misfire badly and gave up. To the mag back to the chap that reconditioned it and says the mag is fine and he has tested it?? Any advice would be much appreciated.

Thought I'd better mension that I have timed the bike up 6 or 7 times with the chap to show him ,and the bike will still not run or fire up properly. (Cuts out after a few seconds)

Some detail about the bike would help, model, year and so on.

If I were you I’d fit aThorspark ignition. Your problem is not uncommon in my experience, even with reconditioned ones. The Thorspark works with 6 or 12 volts and can be specified to have auto advance or keep the manual advance. As the mag body remains in situ you have to look carefully to notice that it runs a coil and battery system. Even with an iffy charging system the current draw is minimal and lasts all day off the battery. I have friends who’ve fitted them and they are delighted. Their engines run better because as a wasted spark system the timing is identical on both pots, something that is nearly impossible to achieve on a K2F. Best of all it’s cheaper than have no the mag reconditioned. One of my friends has removed the mag armature, retained to drive the ignition trigger, and replaced it with a spindle that does the same thing but with a lot less drag. This isn’t really necessary but he is a trained engineer/ model maker and wanted to improve it.

I have a Thor spark ignition kit but was hoping to keep the 59 constellation original as possible. But think you are right

I have a Thor spark ignition kit but was hoping to keep the 59 constellation original as possible. But think you are right

Sorry, this doesn't help with your mag issue but I put a Thorspark kit in the SR1 on my 59 Bullet and it's been a revelation. It now starts first kick hot or cold and has completely transformed the bike. What I used to think was just a quirky old Enfield was the mag all along but I didn't realise how tired it was. To be honest I don't think I'll go back to the mag now, and it's hard to tell its not original.

If the bike won't run now test the mag by getting an old plug and snap the outer electrode off a good mag will have no trouble giving a spark across the increased gap at kick over speed if you have no spark on the bigger gap it's time to have a serious word with whoever did it.

The thing is I do get a good spark but only now and again on the right side and same on left side but it looks very poor. If the Thor spark doesn't work than I'm guessing it must be mechanical. But at this stage im thinking mag. Also ive renewed the carbon brushes leads plugs pickups, and tried another carb that's good . Fuel and filter . And lots of compression.

Unfortunately there are a number of very poor mag restorer's in business, a good mag will make a spark jump over 6mm in fresh air at kick over speed, don't try bigger than this as the spark may jump inside the mag instead,also there is at least one armature rewinder who only puts around half the required amount of wire on the secondary, you should have a resistance of 5k ohms on the secondary they wind to around 2.5k to 3k, the gives a very crap magneto.