Introduction to rewiring the dynamo and regulator The Lucas dynamo-regulator charging system; simple and yet also strangely complicated for anyone more familiar with modern vehicles electrics (or not familiar with vehicle electrics at all!). The main point of this article is to provide a simple and easy to follow wiring diagram should you need to …
Introduction to the Lucas voltage regulator unit This article is a follow up to my earlier post describing ‘How the Lucas charging system works.‘ This previous article described how the system as a whole (i.e. the dynamo, battery, ammeter and voltage regulator) function to keep the battery topped up and the lights glowing. But now …
Introduction to replacing a Lucas voltage regulator The original regulator fitted to my 1951 Matchless G3Ls was a Lucas type ‘MCR-2’ unit (part number 37144-A) which is also sometimes referred to as the ‘AVR’ (Auto Voltage Regulator). Charging of the battery has been intermittent since I bought the bike about 6 months ago with the …
Introduction to selecting a replacement battery The existing Exide motorcycle battery I have installed on my Matchless G3LS doesn’t seem to be holding charge as well as it did, so I figured it was about time I replaced it with something that looked a little more in keeping with the rest of the bike. I …
A new electronic battery voltage and charging current meter specially designed for classic motorcycles with dynamo or alternator charging systems, providing the rider with an at-a-glance overview of battery and charging conditions.
Self-calibrating for both 6v or 12v motorcycles wired either positive or negative earth. Easy installation with only four wires to connect.
A selection of electrical ‘how to’ guides Welcome to my electrical ‘how to’ guide section of this website. I’ve put these guides together based upon various jobs that I’ve needed to do over the past few months on my Matchless G3Ls and what I’ve been able to pick up from various owners manuals, service guides …
Thank you! Thank you to everyone who has taken the time to get in touch with me or leave some feedback on the website or blog. It’s great to hear from you and know that someone out there is finding this useful and interesting! Here are just some of the kind words I have received …
The following series of articles and how to guides aims to look at some of the more general aspects of a motorcycle’s electrical system such as the wiring loom, switchgear and battery. Like the other articles on this website, the inspiration behind the articles came from the ongoing restoration of my 1951 Matchless G3LS motorcycle. …
Introduction to motorcycle fuses I have suggested fitting a fuse to your classic motorbike in a number of articles on this site (such as Replacing the regulator and Converting to 12 volts), so I thought it would be worth taking a little time to go into this in a bit more detail. Most classic motorcycles …
Whilst most things on classic motorcycles are relatively simple and straightforward, there are a few components who’s operation is a little more difficult to get your head around. However once you have gained this understanding, fixing and maintaining these items becomes much easier. The following series of ‘how it works’ articles hopes to explain and …