Forum

[Meteorman]

Is there such a model of this engine that runs an alternator.I'm rebuilding a '54 (T7 1941),motor is missing crank.Thought now is to install alt crank and run the dynamo empty so as to drive the distributor.I have a spare Indian alt and rotor.
Also will the SM crank fit or will the wider bigends no go in the crankcase.Plenty of SM cranks over here.

[Mark M]

MM, there was no alternator model, that's one of the improvements that created the quite different Super Meteor. Distributor and 6v dynamo for 1953-4, Magdyno for other years. SM crank much bigger and will not fit cases. You don't say where you are?
REgards, Mark

[Norm]

Meteorman. I did one last year fitted a crank nut with a shaft on it for the stator and I had to make a new inner primary case from a Bullet one. Lot of work and I wouldn't recomend that path even though it now works perfectly. I also saw one last year, I believe it was a 54 500 twin and the owner told me he had fitted a later crank so was also able to fit the later inner primary case. In this case I think you would also have to fit a longer gearbox mainshaft. Bottom line it can be done, depends on your determination. I also fitted pazon ignition

[Mark M]

Thanks Norm, you're the only person I know who's tackled this problem which is why I was asking where MeteorMan is. If he's in Australia he could be in luck!
REgards, Mark

[Meteorman]

Thanks Mark,that's what i thought.Norm your idea may be the way to go,there's 2 complete
primary's for sale here,is the main difference dimensions or just small things like exit holes for wires,etc.Theres also a meteor minor type.Norm I already have the extended Twin shaft so really shouldn't have a problem should i.I know fitting a Bullet one would probably alter the line outwards.
MM

[Norm]

Hi Mark, sometimes we do things just to prove we can do it.lol MM The problem is with the Meteor is the engine sprocket is in very close to the crankcase (I ended up fitting an oil seal in there to get rid of the silly washer/felt seal setup) and if you look at the inside of the Meteor primary case it is flat from where it bolts to the crancase to the gearbox oil seal. Because of the diameter of the big bearings and oil seal I had to move the stator mounting points in the Bullet inner primary further out and then make up a plate to mount the stator, this was caused by the fact that the Meteor has a 33 tooth engine sprocket which is quite large. You might be able to fit an Inter engine sprocket which is a 29 and this might make things a bit easier. I then had to cut the back out of the Bullet inner primary and weld in a flat sheet of ally so that I could get the primary chain/clutch to clear. It is very tight in there but the end result is unless you know what the Meteor inner/outer primary should look like you would never know. I did waste a lot of time waiting for some bloke who was supposedly making an alternator that fits in the original genny but after some months of waiting for answers I gave up and went this path.

[Meteorman]

Norm you certainly know your Meteors,that route i wouldn't be able to take,using the Bullet inner.The sprocket being closer in on the Meteor is priceless info.And I'll take on board the interceptor sprocket being smaller,so would you rule out those SM and Meteor minor inner primarys that Mr H has in the used parts section?The MM inner looks nice and flat.If it gets to cutting them up then i'd just as sooner have the 6V dynamo overhauled.MM

[Norm]

MM the Mr H inner prinarys are no good for you because the sprocket will not fit. Getting the dynamo is a much cheaper option. The other problem I had was the dizzy was a bit dodgy and the bikes owner doesn't have a lot of mechanical sympathy, he just wants to ride not fix.

[Meteorman]

Many thanks Mark and Norm,i'll rebuild the dynamo and convert to 12 volts,this bike will do virtually no night work but i want to fit Ind Bullet indicators etc
MM