Hi all,
new member here who has just acquired a 1927 Model 5 Longstroke. It currently has a a Lucas MDB1 magdyno from 1929 with a 1930s Miller headlight, 1950s Lucas electric horn, and a converted Miller acetylene rear light. I am leaning towards removing this mishmash and fitting a Lucas gas lighting set and bulb horn which I have available. The main issue would be replacing the magneto (the headlight will be perfect for my 1937 Rudge project :)) ).
I have obtained copies of the parts book, catalogue, and manual but they don't specify the correct type of magneto. I suspect it is a square ML type CK1 as the catalogue photo looks like it has a square mag and there is an article on the CK1 in the Beaming index on the MSC&R site. Am I correct in thinking I would need a CK1? I have been Googling and found most mentions of ML CK1s are related to stationary engines - would these be different or would any ML CK1 be OK? Hopefully moving on the Lucas MDB1 would make it all cost neutral and leave me with a more correct motorcycle and I don't anticipate riding it at night. My only reservation is that the current magdyno works so well - first kick starter and it even charges!
Yes Brian, CK1 is correct. The main difference between the motorcycle unit and those for stationary engines is the advance and retard mechanism - external on stationaries. Sounds like a good plan to replace the mishmash - you will have no trouble selling the MDB1!
Paul
Thanks Paul, very useful information. I have one bookmarked on Ebay Australia that doesn't seem to have any A/R mechanism at all so I'll forget that one!
cheers
Brian
Hi
The Magneto Guys have castings and can convert the square ML
to one with advance retard assembly.
I took the CK1 off my 1928 M90 and fitted a 1929 MDB1 with full period electric lighting kit as it happens. Depending on exact date an MDB1 could have been correct for your bike although a 1929 one is unlikely to be original. Cost of restoring an MDB1 will make you weep if you can find someone to take it on.
Thanks for the heads up - I will contact the Magneto Guys about the conversion. It may be a life saver as stationary engine mags seem to be more common and are often available for less money that motorcycle mags.
I hear what you say about the MDB1 - when I took my later magdyno for overhaul the guy spontaneously launched into a tirade about how lucky I was that it wasn't an MDB1 as he wouldn't touch them. I believe it is something to do with the magnets being incorporated in the main body but I can't recall precisely. Having said that, my MDB1 is working fine and even the 3 brush dynamo section charges well. A big obstacle to keeping it is that the 1930s Miller headlamp looks so wrong, as well as being destined for my 1937 Rudge. That means I would have to look for a 1920s Lucas headlamp and they seem to fetch the thick end of £500 if you can find one and invariably they are dog rough. Even replicas are £400+; so that, coupled with the nice lighting set I have on the shelf is leaning me towards changing it all. If I could find a nice Lucas SS47 or SS49 headlamp I would probably just change that and keep the MDB1. The dilemma then would be whether to keep the Miller tail light (which looks very period) or fit a Lucas electric rear light. The horn will definitely go!