classic motorcycle forum

Some Royal Enfield models of the early 30s also used a MP40 headlamp - not sure precisely which model - like the Matchless range, these were the smaller models, with the Lucas points-in-generator system. Mostly they had the switches in the tank though, so possibly not this model headlamp. Hopethishelps.

Note that I have amended this post, closer examination reveals Enfields used an MP40 headlamp, which I am assuming is probably not the same...

Be nice if all this Lucas info was gathered together somewhere ?

Race engines totally prefer slack wire advance units.

Magnetos that need the wire pulled tight to get full advance can vibrate back to retarded timing. Which may be OK/ just a nuisance on a touring bike, but in the heat of combat in a race, the rider may not notice, and this can harm or destroy engines...

The advance-retard bit is often a bolt-on part, so can be configured to suit whatever it is used on. Note that this may not fit onto some engines. This would be applicable to most magnetos, not just BTH ?

Opethiselps.

Any chance of a pic from the other side.
That engine looks like it is welded in there, seems very high in the frame ??
Looks mid to late 30s, assuming all belong together ?
Not too many makers used a Burman box ?
3.00 - 19 seems like very wide tyres for the time, you'd expect 2.75 -19.

Is there any more of it somewhere ?

Certainly Nortons (and others) stopped using chrome on the tanks and wheel rims for a while in the early 1950s - they had to reduce their chrome use by 70% was it - but they NEVER stopped using satin-chrome on all the nuts bolts and small fittings. And the exhausts and handlebars and fittings were all still chromed, as usual.

Anyone know when Nortons, under new management (AMC) stopped using satin chrome ?  By the Commando era, it was zinc and cad.

Lesson 2 in how to steal a moidasickle ?

Is this info still required ?

There is a video which sounds like it may help
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D00FcmgXxb8

Note that I haven't watched it...

Starting a bike which no-one is familiar with can sometimes be very tricky !
I've heard of folks selling them in despair.

Yes, the magneto lever should be part retarded for starting - assuming it pulls the timing full advanced for normal running, you set it back a bit.
Yes, if there is a choke lever - for normal running you pull it full up - you should feel it pull the choke slides up. For starting, drop them back down a bit - full down will probably be too much.

The valve lifter, which is normally near the clutch lever (but a shorter lever) is squeezed, and the kick starter gently pressed down - you should feel a piston go over top dead centre, and then the pressure comes off the kickstarter. Continue to squeeze the lever, and press down again on the kickstarter. Doing this, you find that you get 2 compressions in fairly close succession, then a long period where the flywheels can easily be turned over. The idea is to just ease over the second compression, stop squeezing the valve lifter, and then give a hefty kick to try and start it. This gives a l-o-n-g period of flywheel rotation to build up momentum during the kickstart kick, which should bounce it over compression, fire up and keeping running.

If this is too vague, can go into more detail.
Someone who is familiar with starting a big single should be able to help here too, its just a matter of finding the right crank position to start it. Setting the controls.  And that long swinging kick.

Have fun.

The ES2 Norton used almost entirely satin chromed nuts bolts and bits, with a few chromed ones, so neither kit will work here if you want original.

Lightly bead blasted stainless will more or less duplicate this, but many of them were the factory special shapes, so not available off the shelf anyway.

Hope this helps.

Thanks for the speedo drive pic Leon.
Still not entirely obvious what is holding it there... ?

Fishtails are evident, but a bit faint.
http://www.ozebook.com/acme.jpg
http://www.cybermotorcycle.com/gallery/classics_a/Acme_125_Australia.htm

Go inside the rear stand.

Cheers.