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[Presto]

And the crucial feature is that it supplies 'ignition' current, not simply charging current.
But - hey, its not so important as all that.
'What's in a name?...'

[Mog]

Well done Thack, you've obviously put a lot of work into the diagrams and I'm sure it will be appreciated by many owners!!

[Thack]

So explain it again, then, because I still haven't followed you.



According to Revband's dictionary definition, a magneto provides "ignition current". Doesn't that suggest it's the device which powers the spark plug?



Presto's definition includes the words "pulse voltages to specific times", which again implies more than the simple AC generator which we've got in our Bullets, because the rectifier doesn't care at all about the timings, and in any case the device in question doesn't generate pulses, but sine waves. "...pulse voltages to specific times" again suggests an ignition generator rather than a simple AC generator.



On the other hand, Wikipedia calls an AC generator with permanent magnets (like our Bullets) a magneto, saying that the term "alternator" is usually reserved for devices with field coils. This is a new one on me, but if it's in Wikipedia it's bound to be right.



I certainly think the argument to change the terminology in the diagram to include "magneto" is won, because that's what everyone calls it these days. But allow me to refer you to this:



1956 parts list

[Thack]

Sorry! That second link should say "1961 parts list".

[Thack]

Just out of interest, here is the Honda equivalent:

[Thack]

Colleagues,



Thank you so much for your contributions and corrections. The document has now been updated to Version 1.2.



This includes reintroducing the term "magneto", adding in the remaining ECU sensors, and minor tidying up.



Please re-download it using the link I posted at the top of this thread.

[Tim NZ]

A magneto is a self contained devise...
The Owners handbook refers to the item as an Alternator, which is what it is.


The EI handbook/workshop manual are full of misnomers and corrupted Inglish; it is surprising that they don't called the handlebars a 'tiller'?

[Scalyback]

OOH! Let's play open the worm cans!



(Apparently) Something "generaty" that is timed to the engine and provides power for the ignition, whether a direct internal flywheel magneto (Villiers engine type) or driven by a series of cogs or chain ensuring a ratio to the engines speed and rotation points, is also a magneto.



Any other generator driven so that it's rotational position relative to the engine rotational position is nox fixed, i.e. belt driven, is a generator, whether a dynamo (DC),or alternator (ac).




On the EFI diagram there is clearly marked "Magneto with crank position sensor"



If that sensor has anything to do with the ignition timing, then it turns the 'genny' into a magneto!



YAY!



(Let battle commence!)

[Michael]

I still stand by my statement... a magneto is an alternator




And an alternator is some magnets and wirey coils, arranged in a spinny type way which, through electromagnetic induction, produces alternating current which is, in turn, fired off somewhere to do something. Perhaps it is fired off to a rectifier to chop the bottom half of the sine wave off (thus refining the AC into direct current) to light some bulbs and power sat navs, or its fired off to build up a large potential difference across a small gap and thus ionize some air (i.e. spark), or maybe it is fired off somewhere to melt some wires (AKA my bike).




A magneto is technically a specific arrangement of spinny magnets and wires, but in cars/bikes/automotive engines a magneto is often the name for the sparky type of spinny magnets and wires... *runs for cover again*




Or, of course, a Magneto (capital 'm') is someone dressed up as the metal conrolling mutant from the X-Men universe... As opposed to the Magneto who is actually the metal controlling mutant

[Thack]

Gentlemen, I refuse to be goaded any further!



You can see how kind I've been to indulge you by changing the circuit diagram. Also, I'm very old and therefore I'm sure I count as a "vulnerable adult", which means you've all got to be nice to me.