E: Engine Thorspark on a Comet

[James B]

My 229 works OK, petrol taps do not leak (they are new). I gather most of them leak. I am not surprised as 70 years old. I will fit the Concentric at the weekend. Going back to main jet sizes, my 229 also has a 200 main jet so I am going to try that first. On the subject of the mag, I have fitted a Thorspark coil ignition from Sussex motorcycles. The unit fits inside the mag which does not need to be removed. You will have to find a place to fit the coil, I have fitted mine on the engine support next to the battery. You will also need a switch so it can be turned on and off. I made a bracket to fit in existing holes in the rear engine mount for the coil and the switch. This unit uses very little from the battery. I have a gel type battery in a dummy case (like most people I suspect).

I have a thorspark on order, due later this week. Glad to hear it’s a good thing

(Shared for amusement factor)
Also have a gel battery on order - should fit in the exide fake case. Found a convenient seller on eBay - who messaged me last night to say that they sold it to me without vat (they usually sell it to mobility carriages) and that I should send them my disability certificate to prove my right to the exemption ! Harrumph ! I’ve asked them to sort this out. Presumably they’ll send me an invoice for the difference

J

 

[Peter Holmes]

It depends on how kind you feel, they should have checked your eligibility to receive goods without paying VAT due to a disability (which you do not have) they could just reissue an invoice with the gross figure that you have already paid, to include the VAT content and take the hit of the VAT themselves.

 

[Bill Thomas]

Can you just confirm that you don't have to take the Mag' apart, And just sort the end cap ?. Cheers Bill.

 

[b'knighted]

You have to remove the points and the cam but it can be done with the mag in situ. If you set the engine to firing point before removing the mag points it may even be possible to fit the Thorspark rotor and stator without retiming. I wish I’d thought of that before doing the conversion!

 

[Tony Wilkinson]

Can you just confirm that you don't have to take the Mag' apart, And just sort the end cap ?. Cheers Bill.

Yes, just take out the points assembly and remove the cam ring (which can be quite tight). The new unit fits inside. I had to buy a deeper cover as the standard one would not fit back on as the new unit sticks out more.

 

[James B]

I’ll take some photos of the install, once the kit arrives

 

[Bill Thomas]

Shame it's not just a convert to coil, Rather than Electronic. Cheers Bill.

 

[timetraveller]

Bill, I think that is exactly what it is. Instead of points they are relying on what I think is a Hall Effect diode for the switching and the ATD for the advance and retard. The diode will have the same effect as the points by switching the power to the coil except that there should be no maintenance. It will either work or it wont.

 

[Bill Thomas]

Thanks, I didn't understand,
Bit like they used in the 70s on cars.250 seems a lot, Its only 75 for a distributor.
Cheers Bill

 

[Tony Wilkinson]

Bill, I think that is exactly what it is. Instead of points they are relying on what I think is a Hall Effect diode for the switching and the ATD for the advance and retard. The diode will have the same effect as the points by switching the power to the coil except that there should be no maintenance. It will either work or it wont.

Agreed, I like the whole fit and forget idea, nothing to adjust or wear out once fitted.