Those of you who ride an old British bike have probably come across the Lucas magneto. Its virtue is that it will carry on providing the sparks in all weathers, even when the battery and other electrics have failed. On the downside, if your magneto hasn't been reconditioned it is running on borrowed time. Whilst the principle of the working magneto is failsafe, the materials used in the 1950's and 60's were prone to deterioration and ultimate failure.
At the heart of the magneto is the armature which contains the primary and secondary windings and the capacitor. Unfortunately it is these parts which deteriorate with age, particularly if they have been left in a damp atmosphere. Most original armatures have long since expired due to breakdown of insulation in the windings or capacitor or both. Armatures can be stripped and tested but even if the windings or capacitor are OK it isn't worth refitting the aged parts as they couldn't be guaranteed.
By fitting a rewound bobbin using modern insulation techniques and materials and a new, solid state, capacitor your armature will last longer than when it was new. There are other things which can go wrong with your magneto but, compared to the armature, they're often quite trivial.
So, if you would like me to have a look at your magneto, I can tell you what it needs and how much it will cost. There's no need to have a complete rebuild. You might be surprised how little it could cost to have your magneto returned to you, ready to fit, giving you peace of mind for years to come. |
