28 May 2003 - Today
I started disassembly of the magneto. The photo shows the voltage regulator
with the cover removed.
I am trying to decide if I want to try and replace
the mechanical voltage regulator with an electronic one. Taking this apart is
going to have a steep learning curve. This is the first time I have been inside
one and I do not have any documentation. Anyone…Tips? The photo shows a
close-up of the breaker points.
30 May 2002 - I have spoken with a few
people and have decided that restoring the magneto may be a little more
complicated than I have the tools and resources to do myself. I am looking at
the different options I have to get the magneto restored… who to use?
6 June 2003 - After talking with several
people who have had magneto service done and a couple of the magneto restorers
I have decided to use Hans Radstaak (h.radstaak@planet.nl). He comes highly recommended, and resides in the
Netherlands. The magneto was mailed off today (the post office charged a
whopping $50.00). A basic rundown of the service is as follows: He cosmetically
redoes the unit. The generator coil is rewound and an electrical one replaces
the mechanical regulator. Also, any bearings or gears that need to be replaced
will be done.
I have a military bike, which has no fuse or
generator lamp in the headlamp. However if you have read earlier pages one of
the parts on my bike which is not original is the headlamp. I have the civilian
one which has the fuse and charge lamp. I understand it is possible to bring a
wire out of the generator to connect to the charge lamp and get proper
function. I have spoken with Hans and requested this be done to my magneto. He
has indicated that this is no problem.
22 August 2003 - Today I received the
magneto back from Hans. It looks good. He put an earlier civilian cover on it,
which has the terminal to connect up to the charge lamp. The mechanical
regulator has been replaced by what looks like a nice solid state regulator.
The unfortunate thing is that is will be a few more months before I have a
chance to fire this baby up.
15 September 2005 – I along with a small group of other R12 owners are taking on a project to put together the steps and sources necessary for R12 owners to restore their own magnetos. Progress can be viewed at: Magneto Restoration Project