Steve Hamel’s prototype electric start for the Vincent twin

 

At this year’s Chicago section Massacre Steve Hamel was good enough to bring along his prototype electric start for the Vincent twin. Below are some pictures that hopefully show how Steve has approached the task of making a very robust and effective starter system. The unit is fully operative and as can be seen Steve was able to demonstrate it with the aid of a 12 volt battery….

 

Since, as shown below, fitting of the starter does require modification of the left hand crankcase Steve does not expect that his system will be retrofitted to existing Vincents but rather that it can be incorporated into new engine builds.

 

Pictures courtesy of Kris Slawinski and Tim Holcroft

 

 

An overall view from the timing side of the engine clearly shows the starter motor and  solenoid at the rear of the engine as well as the alternator.

 

 

A view through the dynamo inspection cover shows an additional sprocket added behind the normal primary drive which drives the alternator as well as engaging the drive from the starter motor.

 

 

A view from the rear of the motor. In order to accommodate the starter motor note that the left hand crankcase has to be modified for the motor drive………..

 

 

……..and in addition a plate is added between the crankcase and primary cover to provide enough room in the primary for the extra sprocket.