Hi everyone,
I recently became the owner of a 1955 Road Rocket, I've always wanted to build a custom bike around that engine but never wanted to tear down a bike worthy of restoration. This bike sits on a mediocrely made custom hardtail frame, missing numerous parts and the engine painted with what looks like silver barbecue paint, and fitted with a bunch of bolts and screws that aren't correct. Despite this, the engine is still in good shape mechanically and I'm confident I can bring it back to where it should be and give it the respect it deserves. I adore British bikes and own multiple British classic cars and want the engine on this bike to look just like it did rolling off the show floor, everything else will be fabricated and compliment the fantastic functional styling of the engine.
That being said, I have a lot of experience with fabrication and mechanical work and motorcycle restoration but I am TERRIBLE at electrical work. The bike has its Lucas K2F magneto, it does not have auto advance, it has the retard lever, and I have no idea what the "low tension terminal" is on the contact breaker cover. Normally I'd just research online and see where the wire goes but information on its setup is scarce. What is it and where does it go?
I do stuff like bend and weld frames and make springer and leaf spring front ends, gas tanks and fabricate anything out of metal, no idea how the electrical system on this bike works as it came with no wires other than the connections from the mag to the spark plugs, does it involve condensers when there's a magneto? In relation to the battery? Do I need a battery? I believe the bike is setup for 6v but I have no idea what that means versus 12v. No idea where the kill switch goes either. I'm keeping this bike more of an art piece to putter around town, so headlight and brake light are the only electronics I want so wiring diagrams make my head spin.
Normally I'd just take the bike in and have electrical guys do it for me but I'm sick of that and want to figure it out on my own so I can not be such a dunce about it. You guys have some fantastic bikes and I'd really appreciate the knowledge and advice you have to offer.
Colton.