I fitted the starter in 2015/16 and have covered about 5500 miles. I’ve spent a lot of time and effort on it and generally pleased with it. However, I could not get it work as consistently as I thought it should even though it started easy on the kickstart. The bike has a Mikuni carb and has been completely rebuilt, the dynamo has a belt drive and I’m running 12v with a DVR2 regulator. I have tried two rebuilt mags and replaced the battery (it appears it was OK) but still could not get it to start as consistently as I’d like.
The impression I had was the starter does not turn the magneto over in the same way as a kickstart which made me think it’s a mag issue. Using the kickstart, the mag gets a sharp rate of turn but with the electric starter, it is a more consistent rotation. Having excess oil in the sump certainly will not help.
I was looking at getting my mag rebuilt again but having read all I can about the reconditioning of mags, I did not feel confident I could guarantee getting the quality of rebuild I thought was needed.
Since I am still able to cope with the kickstart but wanting to make starting as easy as possible, I looked at electronic ignition. I finally decided to go with Thorspark which I have just fitted with manual advance and retard. It starts OK but due to lockdown, I have not been able to get out on it to see the level of improvement over the mag.
I’ve needed the sprag clutch rebuilt twice due to kickback, once when I forgot to tighten the mag pinion and the other I’m not sure how it happened. Steve has been very helpful offering advice and prompt repair of the sprag clutch.
I recently had a gearbox problem which required removal of the starter and decided not to reinstall it but would otherwise have left it on.
If I had left the electric starter on with the Thorspark, I may have found that was all that was needed. Who knows?
My feelings are:
If it is the difference between enjoying your BSA or not, it is a good addition and worth fitting.
Don’t expect it to start a bike which does not already start easily and consistently.
It is well made piece of kit which has been thought through
The instructions are very good and well detailed but do read them a few times to get to grips with what needs to be done, it really pays.
I orignally fitted it as I thought I had a hip problem but pleased to say that no longer is the case.
Just my experience.