Every rider will have their own preference but bear in mind that if you add electrical loads you may need to upgrade the power supply and battery size. The first improvement will probably need to be a change to 12volt negative earth. This can generally be done by replacing regulator, battery and bulbs.
My preference for ease of starting and good slow running is to use coil ignition. Vincents fitted it to Series Ds but you won’t see much discussion about it on the forum because it gives so few problems. Universal spares are also more readily available. Equally I use belt drive electromagnetic alternators as they apply minimal starting or shock loads to their drives and produce adequate power to run excessively high wattage lamps and heated grips, seat and clothing without any issues. Sadly they tend to be visible and not too attractive. (Pig ugly is an adequate description) There is a French electric start set up which hides below the gearbox and seems to be very effective but will require a bigger starter battery and probably something better than a refurbished original dynamo.
You pays your money and you takes your choice.
My preference for ease of starting and good slow running is to use coil ignition. Vincents fitted it to Series Ds but you won’t see much discussion about it on the forum because it gives so few problems. Universal spares are also more readily available. Equally I use belt drive electromagnetic alternators as they apply minimal starting or shock loads to their drives and produce adequate power to run excessively high wattage lamps and heated grips, seat and clothing without any issues. Sadly they tend to be visible and not too attractive. (Pig ugly is an adequate description) There is a French electric start set up which hides below the gearbox and seems to be very effective but will require a bigger starter battery and probably something better than a refurbished original dynamo.
You pays your money and you takes your choice.
Last edited:
