Ashman's CNW starter

ashman · 2026-04-16T03:02:08-0600

grandpaul said:
I'd LOVE to pack the e-start kit in a suitcase, jump on a plane, and carry it over personally to install and test it (plus I'd get to say I've ridden your Special).

GP if you did you be most welcome here, we seem to have a lot in common and both old school in things we do and having a test pilot that I would trust be great.

ashman · 2026-04-16T03:06:02-0600

johnm said:
Just wondering if it might be a plan to add the manual retard mechanism that Jim Schmitt sells for the Hunt mag if it's going to be started by the CNW starter.

I used a Morris Hunt mag on my Dommie race bike with no retard 10 : 25 compression fixed 29 full advance. Started fine but with a starter motor a bit of retard might calm things down.

I run the CNW starter on my street Commando so am familiar with it. I had an initial issue with the sprag bearing 7 years ago but fine ever since. Street Commando uses Pazon ignition.

My JH starts at full advance with ease and I think it will be the same with the ES kit fitted without retarding it, but then I never ran one with a ES before, it has a big spark even kicking with a lazy kick.

johnm · 2026-04-16T04:37:06-0600

ashman said:
My JH starts at full advance with ease and I think it will be the same with the ES kit fitted without retarding it, but then I never ran one with a ES before, it has a big spark even kicking with a lazy kick.

Yes. You may be right. But given I have experience with both magneto and electric start albeit on two different bikes it's something I'd consider. I don't think it's very expensive.

Hmm. Strike that. Just checked US$249.

A lot more than I expected.

ashman · 2026-04-16T05:24:15-0600

What I have done since I installed my Joe Hunt, I did the static timing the same as stock set up 28 degree full advance and it fired up first kick I have never used a timing light on my Norton but I just advanced the JH till I got a bit of kick back when kicking it then ever so slightly retard the timing till no kick back at all, seem to have worked fine as it starts first kick every time and will keep revving right through the rev range without a miss, I ran with Jims PWK carbies for about 12 years with the JH but if I opened the throttle up to quick it would misfire but taking it up slowly to full throttle was good, now I gone back to my old Amals, I don't have any problems at all opening the throttle right up.
Jim set up the PWKs to my motor and jetted for the cam and head work but always had problems with the left carbie float sticking, not all the time but it was enough for me to go back to my old Amals, no matter trying to fix the problem of the left PWK left float sticking even doing what Jim recommended to try and fix the problem, but I found the Joe Hunt and old Amals work so much better together and the starting was so much better with the Amals, tickle then kick, fires up first kick every time, cold hot no matter always first kick.
So starting with an ES will be the same as when I kick start most of the time the JH has fired up 1/2 way through the kick, the first kick for the day is always a full kick but once it has fired up the rest of the day be 1/2 a swing on the kicker but now no kicking leg.
I been running the Joe Hunt now for 15 years and haven't touched the timing since I first installed it, in fact I am still running with the original point that came with my JH and only time I open the front cover is on oil changes I check the point and put a few drops of STP on the point cam felt to lube it, when things are running well I leave alone, I have 3 tune up kits in my spare part cabinet for the JH and 2 spare front covers.

Ashley

Starvingphotog · 2026-04-16T06:39:23-0600

ashman said:
I can't believe this is happening, I am so over whelmed in all the help I am getting, having a serous accident and so many friends helping out, the biker life and the people involved in getting me back on 2 wheels again and on my old Norton, the Norton community is strong and the friendships I have made in the near 50 years of owning my Norton, was hoping to be out on it on the 21st June the day I rolled it out the shop new as a young 17 year old back in 1976, but I won't be ready for it by then so will just have a few mates around for a few beers and chat about some of the great times we all had while I was on my Norton and the mates who enjoyed those old times with me and the bike.
My Norton has no name I just call it bike, always pat it on the tank after each ride and say "thanks bike for a great day out and getting me back home safe", I think doing this has helped my bike to be so reliable for me and most of my rides out I don't even know where I am going once I leave my front gate, just point the bike a head and go.
My Norton is not a she or he, just bike, its no show pony and is showing its age, some say I should fully restore it but no I like it the way the bike is, it gets looked after in other ways and its aging just like me, the last 15+ years it had a lot of great upgrades to it when I had the money to spend on it and it always draw a lot of lookers when I pull up anywhere but I also fool a lot of the older bikers who think its an old Dommie, not, I use to own one of them they would say lol and the best thing I have never seen another like mine while out and about and my mates who ride with me always tell other admirers, don't be fooled by its looks as it will bite you on the arse when up in the tight twisties, where it was built for and a lot of other riders don't know I am behind them till I blow past them and disappear into the next corner, handle like its on rails with torque to spare, it is light as a feather when riding it and never lets me down, never complains and since the Joe Hunt been on always starts first kick every time.
Had to throw in the Joe Hunt just for Rob lol.

Ashley
View attachment 124497 View attachment 124498

Ashley,

Believe it!

And I would most certainly have to agree with you on the camaraderie and generosity of this group. Since buying my first Norton (Combat) back about 6 years ago, and then my second one shortly thereafter, and riding for the first time I have discovered a whole new world. I’ve become a more confident rider and a capable mechanic because of the fine folks in this community that have offered up so much advice and counsel. It felt so right to do this for ya! You’re gonna love the starter and bike will thank ya for it since you two will be rolling down the road again soon

Cheers,
Rob

grandpaul · 2026-04-16T07:36:45-0600

We're done!

Apart from @NORTSTER1974 who presently is in an unexpected delay, all pledge donations have been received! I am covering Nortster's pledge for now, and have covered the few small PayPal fees for those who were not offered the "Friends & Family" option by PP.

I want to thank each and every member that joined in this project, I know it means a lot to @ashman and I just want you to know it means a lot to ME as well.

As many have already posted, this group is ACES! I'm proud to be a part of it.

Paul Z.

Final donor list:
GrandPaulZ
RobSS
Bonzo
Fast Eddie
RichardTool
JerryDoe
Trident Sam
MikeG
AndyDMC
(Anonymous)
JohnM
Elfix
Baz
Steveborland
Matchless
speirmoor
Concours
BritBike850
Deets55
NPeteN
franko
MichaelB
Starvingphotog
Nortonmargie
Saber
Nortster1974

Starvingphotog · 2026-04-16T08:05:13-0600

WOW! That is quite a list of contributors! Blows my mind. Ditto GP. I too am quite proud to be part of this group, and look forward to many more years together

NPeteN · 2026-04-16T08:42:13-0600

Appreciate you creating the opportunity to give, thanks Paul.

grandpaul · 2026-04-16T08:49:49-0600

OK, I just paid Allen for the starter kit, and I hate to break this to you @ashman but he INSISTS on contributing to the postage!

At this point you may still have to pay duties/tariffs/etc., so I hope this is not offensive to you. He could not believe I was able to "muster the troops" so quickly to get it paid for and told me he really, really wanted to contribute somehow. So, here we are.

I'm heading to the post Office in a few minutes...

trident sam · 2026-04-16T09:33:17-0600

grandpaul said:
OK, I just paid Allen for the starter kit, and I hate to break this to you @ashman but he INSISTS on contributing to the postage!

At this point you may still have to pay duties/tariffs/etc., so I hope this is not offensive to you. He could not believe I was able to "muster the troops" so quickly to get it paid for and told me he really, really wanted to contribute somehow. So, here we are.

I'm heading to the post Office in a few minutes...

View attachment 124512

Paul, well done for all your work and time sorting out Ashley's starter , I'm sure we all appreciate it here.

Fast Eddie · 2026-04-16T11:18:35-0600

johnm said:
Yes. You may be right. But given I have experience with both magneto and electric start albeit on two different bikes it's something I'd consider. I don't think it's very expensive.

Hmm. Strike that. Just checked US$249.

A lot more than I expected.

I ran a JH mag on my Seeley for a while. I bought the manual retard option for it. The Seeley is a track bike that I start on rollers and I quickly discovered there was absolutely no need for the retard lever!

I also have a friend who runs a JH mag on a 750 with an Alton, again, no need for the retard lever.

Knowing how fast the cNw e start spins the motor, I would suggest it’s not gonna be needed with this either.

Ashman's CNW starter

Similar threads