commando starter options

[dunboyne]

anyone know whats involved in converting a 2 brush standard starter to 4 brush ? i have an old ironhead 1000 harley starter too and have heard these can be converted to work on the commando but i do not know whats involved . the harley is 4 brush . has anyone expierience with the conversion . i know there are jap starter conversions but do not want to buy one.

[L.A.B.]

Note there are two options, one is a "4 brush" conversion which only involves replacing the Commando 2 brush plate, this adds a little extra power to the starter but not as much as the "4 brush & 4 field coil" conversion,  which also involves replacing the two Commando field coils with the four from Harley Prestolite motor. The Harley Prestolite starter motor body, field coils and brush plate should be a straight swap, however the Commando starter armature and drive end plate have to be used.

Heavier gauge starter cables are an absolute necessity (as the original leads are too light gauge even for the standard starter setup) and of course the battery has to be in good condition.           

Hopefully the links below should give you most (or all) of the information you need, or shout if you need more help?

http://www.accessnorton.com/iii-starter-motor-field-coil-brush-upgrade-t970.html

http://www.accessnorton.com/starter-mods-upgrades-t1863.html

http://www.classicmotorcycleforum.com/index.php?topic=3638.msg12435#msg12435