Magneto Question

Often yes, with a little bit of jiggery pokery which would probably make the likes of Martin Percy blanch!

I've successfully changed the rotation of Wico A's simply by replacing the cam. Things get a bit more complicated if it has an impulse drive - you can turn the spring over ok but some bits which look as though they should work either way won't so it's a matter of mixing and matching from the bit box.

ISTR the Lucas RS is nice and easy as the cam is not keyed onto the shaft, so it is simply a matter of turning it with respect to the rotor until it works in the desired direction.

'Traditional' rotating coil mags vary in design, but often the cam ring can be rotated to suit, with maybe a new slot ground for the stop peg. This may mean that the breaker arm is leading rather than trailing, but this doesn't seem to matter too much.

Nick is right & I've successfully made some magnetos spark the wrong way - indeed, one aged example I have is keen to produce more kv backwards than forwards! That said, although it should be theoretically possible to change the rotation of any magneto, some seem more resistant to change than others for no good reason that I can see.

One thing with impulse mechanisms, there are both Metric & Imperial models just to make your life harder!

Regards,

J. Kim Siddorn,