classic motorcycle forum

Motorcycle Discussions => British Bikes => Topic started by: andrew bartle on November 21, 2008, 04:59:03 PM

Title: 1969 BSA thunderbolt electric start
Post by: andrew bartle on November 21, 2008, 04:59:03 PM

I have a 1969 BSA I am very attached to but I just had a bad surgery to my right knee. Can I convert to electric start? I no longer will be able to kick start on right side.

Title: Re: 1969 BSA thunderbolt electric start
Post by: Goldy on November 22, 2008, 04:12:52 PM

If you find a starter motor that will do the job then fitting it will be a big job and it will not look very pretty. Switch to something else.

Title: Re: 1969 BSA thunderbolt electric start
Post by: andrew bartle on November 22, 2008, 04:30:04 PM

have you seen one?

Title: Re: 1969 BSA thunderbolt electric start
Post by: thunderbird on November 22, 2008, 05:10:54 PM

Quote

I have a 1969 BSA I am very attached to but I just had a bad surgery to my right knee. Can I convert to electric start? I no longer will be able to kick start on right side.

http://www.srm-engineering.com/ it may be worth asking these if its possible they will probably know

Title: Re: 1969 BSA thunderbolt electric start
Post by: andrew bartle on November 23, 2008, 06:43:51 AM

thanks - i'll post what they say

Title: Re: 1969 BSA thunderbolt electric start
Post by: henry_norton on November 23, 2008, 12:06:19 PM

Whatever you do it would involve some fairly major surgery to the timing cover and the crankcase. I've seen a few American Magneto conversions on unit Triumphs which looked pretty good and would involve the same sort of metalwork. Anything's possible....

Title: Re: 1969 BSA thunderbolt electric start
Post by: Searchguru on November 23, 2008, 03:47:52 PM

Have you considered fitting a sidecar? You could then keep your bike, (it wouldn't fall over!) and you could kick it with your left foot. I 'm only suggesting this as it would be easier than trying to fit an electric start. Alternatively get something with a leccy start and put your bike in mothballs. You never know your right leg might improve and you can take up the thunderbolt where you left off.

Title: Re: 1969 BSA thunderbolt electric start
Post by: Justin_Faithfull on November 28, 2008, 05:40:44 PM

Look at the latest 'Classic Bike' magazine just out, December 2008. On page 13 is a short news item titled 'Easy start Goldstar', about a starter motor conversion for Goldstars. I know this is a completely different model to your bike, but it may be worth contacting the engineer who did the job (Phil Pearson 01493 780055).

Title: Re: 1969 BSA thunderbolt electric start
Post by: Goldie on November 28, 2008, 10:49:34 PM

I have had work done on my Goldie by Phil Pearson who is a good engineer.

Have you thought about fitting valve lift/decompressor. Anything is possible.

Title: Re: 1969 BSA thunderbolt electric start
Post by: andrew bartle on December 01, 2008, 01:31:01 AM

Many thanks I will follow up but I did hear from another engineer that A65 motor has not been included in starter kit available

Title: Re: 1969 BSA thunderbolt electric start
Post by: TBS on December 01, 2008, 08:42:08 AM

How about starter rollers www.hawksleyengineering.co.uk great bit of kit, and they often sell them for exactly your purpose. I've got some and instead of having to kick start a newly restored machine with the plugs out, for about 1/2 hour to get the oil round and back to the oiltank before it's initial start, now it takes about 30 seconds!!