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Motorcycle Discussions => British Bikes => Topic started by: danie swart on May 06, 2017, 05:00:49 PM

Title: BSA M20 Generator
Post by: danie swart on May 06, 2017, 05:00:49 PM

My 1945 M20 BSA seem not to have a generator. Can anybody help
Thanks
Danie

Title: Re: BSA M20 Generator
Post by: mini-me on May 06, 2017, 06:14:47 PM

you have the wrong magneto

you need a magdyno,  bottom part looks like this   http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/LUCAS-MAGDYNO-B31-B33-GOLDSTAR-/201914027889?hash=item2f03038f71:g:BB8AAOSwhvFZCKhx

then you need a dynamo to go onthe top of it

Title: Re: BSA M20 Generator
Post by: danie swart on May 06, 2017, 06:43:49 PM

The magneto it got on is  not a made fit one. Why do you thing this is on engine?
Thanks

Title: Re: BSA M20 Generator
Post by: mini-me on May 06, 2017, 07:20:52 PM

because the previous owner did not have one.

where are you living?

Title: Re: BSA M20 Generator
Post by: danie swart on May 06, 2017, 07:27:21 PM

I am from South Africa. Where did this magneto came from? it fits perfectly.

Title: Re: BSA M20 Generator
Post by: mini-me on May 06, 2017, 10:22:03 PM

Its a standard magneto, they'll fit any british bike. Mind you that one has a bodged up advance retard system that lead me to think it may be off an industrial engine.

As it seems to be ex-military I suggest you have a look at this site http://pub37.bravenet.com/forum/static/show.php?usernum=3155626639&frmid=16

That is the worlds best site for BSA M20, lots of world wide contacts on it that can help you. Even a guy in Egypt with tons of  new old stock, expensive though, but he's a solid bloke.

Just make sure you get one with the correct rotation.

Title: Re: BSA M20 Generator
Post by: danie swart on May 07, 2017, 05:42:10 PM

THANKS!!!!

Title: Re: BSA M20 Generator
Post by: mini-me on May 07, 2017, 07:57:08 PM

Geen probleem, bly om te help

Title: Re: BSA M20 Generator
Post by: danie swart on May 07, 2017, 08:07:19 PM

Wonder nog waar die magneto vandaan kom. Advance and retart is nie geblok. dit werk. is jy van RSA en waarvandaan?

Title: Re: BSA M20 Generator
Post by: mini-me on May 07, 2017, 10:23:52 PM

Quote

s jy van RSA en waarvandaan?

Geen ;) Here firmly in UK, but my afrikaans is limited to Google translate. A lot of SA in my part of UK. I expect you know why.

The advance retard mechanism is usually worked by cable on a bike, but it looks like yours is worked by some kind of lever, I see that a lot on industrial engines.

That type of  Lucas magneto was fitted to many bikes, from 1930s to the 1960s even. As long as it runs the correct way round for the engine it will work. The taper of the shaft will fit either a sprocket or a gear drive.

You need to search for a Lucas Magdyno, they are not hard to find, but get a good  complete one as they are expensive to repair, you can get just about all parts easy;  But try not to buy one from India, Middle East or  such parts of Asia or even Greece where these bikes survive in 100s but have been run into the ground or bodge repaired. Plenty around in UK, but  freight to SA will be expensive.
Do try that site I gave, a lot of good blokes on it.

Title: Re: BSA M20 Generator
Post by: danie swart on May 08, 2017, 04:34:00 PM

Thanks ma. I will do so. I am just to old, or I would be able by now to vote in USA ;)