Lucas Magnetos and Generators - Availability?

[barry.krauter]

What is the availability of viable Lucas Mags and Generators in England? In attempting to find parts here in Canada for my Ariel KHA, I find people are eager for me to trade mags and generators rather than cash. The electrics, of course can be used on other marques with a higher "resale value"
here than Ariel (ie BSA and Norton).

I have neither an abundance of Lucas electrics nor cash, but am very reluctant to cannibalize a workable Ariel with matching numbers to get parts to fix another workable Ariel.

I do have two surplus generators. One is complete except for the bakelite end piece. This is the type with the metal band. I have no idea if this unit works. On the other, someone appears to have welded or soldered the drive gear on. Is there a core value for these gens for rebuilding?
When I visited England in 1975, I walked into Pride & CLarke and exchanged a Magdyno. I miss those days!

I also have an auto advance Velo mag that produces a spark of sorts at the plug.

What would you expect to pay for a Magdyno mag and gear drive generator, or are most acquired through trades? I've also read that the capacitors in Lucas mags had an expected service life of 10 years, so most mags will be on the way out by this time. I've read that the aftermarket slip rings for mags and gens are of very questionable quality. What is the rebuildability of Lucas magnetos and generators? Has anyone here had a successful outcome with these rebuilt units?

Sorry to ramble, hope these are not annoying questions. I'm looking for sage advice. At the end of the day I want to arrive at a working KHA to ride. I've had this project in my garage for 30 years and I don't want to give up on it.

[simon.holyfield]

I haven't bought one for ages, but they seem to come up on eBay quite readily. We have a few folks in the UK who are adept at rebuilding them.

[paul.jameson]

To add to Simon's reply, the readily available magnetos and dynamos (generators) in the UK are usually faulty, either due to wear and tear, or old age, or both. Tony Cooper in Halesowen rebuilds mine, does a good job, and what he doesn't know about them isn't worth knowing. KH magnetos don't seem to be a problem but KH dynamos have a couple of parts peculiar to the KH (and KHA) model. Unfortunately, they are very like a Triumph dynamo but if you fit the Triumph one you will have a wrecked dynamo drive very quickly indeed. (I haven't done this personally (yet) so it may be that the KH dynamo wrecks the Triumph drive or both may wreck each other. Just don't mix them up !)

[Knud.Degnbol]

A good rebuild and you are saved for the next 20 years. The rest is just maintenance. There must be someone in your part of the world able to do it.

[Steven.Carter]

Maybe a cheap way is to go electronic ignition? Should be able to do it for 150.00 pounds with the bits you already have

[john.whiting]

The KH remains I have used BTH magnetos,same as some Triumphs.I believe some police forces specified BTH.But a lot harder to get spares for than Lucas.You wont get a good un for five quid any more.Recoed generators,and also new made spare armatures are available from a number of sources in England.Postage on heavy items has skyrocketed of late,otherwise you can visit relations and take the electrics as your carry on luggage allowance on the return.Whatever you do ,restoring British bikes is no longer cheap,and you need deep pockets.Incidentally,I once rewound a magneto coil,it took about a week,so what the specialists charge is cheap.Regards John.

[Simon.Gardiner]

Barry:
A couple of threads with refs to mag repair people
http://forum.arielownersmcc.com/viewt ... 348&p=1252
http://forum.arielownersmcc.com/viewt ... 16&p=26243
I'd suggest getting the catalogue/price list from Dave Lindsley's web site as a good way of getting some idea of which parts are available and what prices might be like (UK). Also the Brightspark site has details of how to dismantle a mag armature yourself and replace the capacitor - obviously this is aimed at using their solid-state capacitor replacement gizmo which is very interesting although I'm not sure I want to risk the component dying every two years no matter how easy it is to replace therafter. (Both sites referenced in the above threads and yes, capacitors are the weak point of the Lucas units, they don't age very well - I'm told that BTH mags don't have the problem).
There's also an amount of stuff available on ebay but while some of it will be good some will be rubbish.
However, I'm sure the Canadian guys must know of sources more local to you as by now we must all be having to deal with old Joe L's problems as a matter of course

SG

[nevhunter]

Just a couple of comments. Paul Jamieson is right about the KH generator. It's not the ordinary one, I'm told . I think it has 2 field coils.
Life of condensers is dependent on a lot of factors . I have many running fine for 30-40 years. If the original condensers test OK for my own use I leave them in service. That is for myself. If it was for someone else it would depend on what they want.
Electrically, BTH and Lucas won't be much different as to how long they run but the BTH is better constructed in some ways. (More screws in the armature better points assemblies as an example).
The life of the generator is affected by oil getting into it, bearing and brush wear AND how well the regulator works, but I would look at it every 10,000 miles. Lucas used to say 8,000 miles. That's a fair number of rally's. Nev

[john.whiting]

Two fields would make the generator a C35.Cylindrical C35s are not fitted to postwar cars,the smallest being the C39,nearly 4" dia.The only common examples are specials fitted to early fifties Enfields and Sq4.Easy to check,by simply figuring the dia from the cradle in the crankcase.Regards John.

[chris.shearwood]

I'd suggest getting the catalogue/price list from Dave Lindsley's web site as a good way of getting some idea of which parts are available and what prices might be like (UK).

SG

Hi Barry,
Whatever you do, don't try dealing with Dave Lindsley. Here is his reply to a friend of mine who was asking about some Lucas bits:

"This is our automatic reply to enquiries from the US / Canada. We regret to inform you that, for a number of reasons, we are no longer able to trade with the US or Canada. We cannot do any overhauls or supply any parts which are destined for the US or Canada. Sorry for any inconvenience this may cause. Please do not ask us to deal through a third party in the UK or elsewhere outside the US / Canada, as we cannot do this. We are afraid it does not matter by which route the products end up in the US / Canada."

Regards, Chris