Forum

[Kennij]

Hi Guys, a bit of a different subject.
I have a Vincent Comet which I bought in an unfinished state. In fact every time I look at it something else is not right.
Anyway, it has a home brewed C/B points unit on it, and I mean home brewed, seems to be machined from a lump of alloy with no seal, a mag bearing at the drive end which seems to have a sand pit all to itself and a bush for the shaft, which appears to be cut down from something else, under the points plate. Should be a mag of course. However, until I get a KVF1 I wondered, looking for something with a pair of points, if the units I see advertised for Indian Bullets are a straight dimensional replacement for a mag. or later coil C/B unit. They certainly have a taper on the shaft for the drive gear, where an ATD fits. Same taper? My thought were, is the base mounting tapped holes at the same, or close to, the radius for a mag. Centre of shaft to centre tapped bolt hole.Should be 1 5//8" or 40 mm. If so I could modify the base, clear the holes out for studs.
Anyone know, or can measure, the dimensions. Thanks in advance.

[John M]

Not sure of dimensions, but the points unit has the same mounting dimensions as a Lucas SR1 magneto including three tapped mounting holes on the face. I presume that this is the same as earlier magnetos.

[John M]

If you are not bothered about originality then with a 12V dynamo conversion you could use one of the many electronic ignition system along with a Bullet points housing rather than a magneto, although it sounds as if that may have been done in a fashion by a previous owner.
Does your points housing look like http://www.pazon.com/ignition-system/ma ... -body.html

[Kennij]

Hi, John.
Yes, the SR1 had the same 3 stud mounting as the KVF1 or 2.
The base unit is very similar to the illustration. I had a look at it previously. Mine has been machined from an alloy something, I really don't recognise it, Its like a drive end of a mag. body, but not. But as I said, no oil seal, it's has a mag. bearing which is shot and the shaft and cam appears homemade.
I rather thought the Indian Bullets would carry on with the same C/B unit bolt mounting pitches as the mags had. Question is, would the ATD mounting taper on the shaft been the same included angle as a Lucas mag or later C/B unit. On looking at a blown-up photo, I rather think it is. If so, it gives me a unit I could get, as a get it going fallback. KVF1's are thin on the ground, and I would like a manual advance.
Thanks for replying.
Ken J.

[John M]

The Indian made engine is basically the same as the post 1956 English engine. The English engine used a Lucas SR1 Magneto prior to using a points housing. The idler gear is the same on the SR1 and points housing engine. The parts book on this site lists the Indian made gear (points housing)as a replacement for the English part so by my recogning the Indian gear is the same pitch as the teeth on the SR1's auto advance unit. It also lists the Indian gear for the earlier magneto as well.
As an aside, I have a 350 Bullet that uses a Lucas SR1 without an advance/retard and have had no problems, I think the variable timing only really helps when starting the engine.

[Mark M]

The unit may be the type sold by Paul Goff, Google him for details. As to a mag, try Dave Fisher at Moathouse Magnetos, 01929 421255, highly recommended. REgards, Mark

[Alan (Lancashire)]

the pazon (and other) units are larger than the std indian bullet distributor , the 3 mounting holes are on a larger circumferance

[Mark M]

The unit sold by Paul Goff (and others) is a direct swap for the K series mags as fitted to the Comet and Enfield Twins. Enfield Twins use an adaptor plate as well, but the Goffy thing will fit it. The Bullets have a different set up.
REgards, Mark

[Kennij]

Hi Guys, thanks for the replies. Apologies for the delay replying.
I made a mistake when I said KVF1. The KVF is just for the twins, of course. A K2F with a different cam ring.
So it's a K1F, or replacement I want.
I thought that the mounting dimensions, and the shaft taper would be a carry-over. It gives me another avenue, or a fall back. The thing is the unit is available off the shelf. Just need a bit of machining.
I'll look at Paul Goff and Moathouse as advised by Mark.

Thanks again, Guys.

Ken J.

[Mark M]

Ken, just a small point, the only post war bikes (AFAIK) that used anti-clock magnetos were Douglas, Enfield and Vincent. The direction of rotation is read from the drive end of course. This means a number of different components, not just the slip ring. Dave Fisher at Moathouse will be able to tell you more. He is not cheap (but not very expensive either,) but his work is excellent.
REgards, Mark