G&S Valves (GSValves@aol.com) made the valves for my 1928 that were/are sold by the Black Ariel Spares Scheme. I just ordered valves directly from G&S for my 1954 BB Gold Star that are not in their catalog, but which they have, so they're certainly worth contacting to see if they have the on...

I'd just grind the end off. One-eighth of an inch may not sound like much, but it is. ArielValve01.jpg On my 1928 Ariel the valve spring cup nearly touches the rocker, and if it were 1/8" higher it would. ArielValve02.jpg A blob of grease makes it appear the two are touching, but they're not q...

When you are magnetising with the armature in place, the armature diverts some of the magnetic flux from going through the Magnet. Although that's true, if it weren't the case, a smaller electromagnet could be used. Also, as the armature rotates, the magnetic flux changes. The discussion would take...

However, one of the points I took from Charles' earlier link to the britbike forum was that the 1950s magnetos don't need a 'keeper'. No, you took away incorrect information. The post you quoted was written by an attorney, not by me, who co-owned the company that sells replacement capacitors that f...

There's OFTEN other things wrong with the Magneto that have to be attended to before it will work optimally. You can't really do these things for nothing realistically. Many people are likely to have the necessary tools to work on a magneto. I think the point is that, no matter what has been done t...

Once Roger gets on with the challenge there will be a broad path worn to his workshop by Arielists bearing magnetos, me included. Even if pole pieces have to be changed for a different type of magneto, the whole process of remagnetizing one might take 2 minutes. Since that isn't an imposition, I've...

BTW, it's easy to reverse your compass polarity so go outside and check that it still points north! I hope it doesn't confuse the situation, but the pole of the earth that is near Finland is actually magnetically south according to our electrical convention. This results from the decision that curr...

Pole pieces shaped to match the magneto being magnetized are needed to minimize the amount of magnet flux that escapes without passing through the magneto. MagnetPolePieces.jpg Attached to my electromagnet when I photographed it are pole pieces for a Lucas KVF. Next to it are the ones for a Magdyno,...

Shawn - I would love to hear how you built your charger. I'm not Shawn, but I'll tell you how I built mine. Rather than repeating the material here, I think you will find I've answered most of the questions you might have about appropriate electromagnets at: https://www.britbike.com/forums/ubbthrea...

some chaps are using ball type bearings in the 500 engines,easy to find and cheaper. ... Modern bearings superior to loads,than of yesteryear. Gold Star engines use a ball bearing at the drive-side end to register the crankshaft, combined with a roller bearing to carry the load. Contemporary catalo...