Bultaco M/C Magneto magnets weak?

[Karl T Schwab]

Gentlemen; I just pulled my 1966 Bultaco (made in Spain) 250cc motorcycle out of the shed; I hadn't had it run it for about 16 years! I have no spark at the sparkplug (single cylinder engine). The coil checks out okay and I get very little voltage from the sense coil behind the flywheel. To remove the flywheel, I need a special puller that I have yet to make. I am wondering, with this machine being this old, if there is such a thing as "recharging" the magnet(s) in the flywheel? Anyone know? Thanks, Karl

[ListerDiesel]

Carl:

I'd be inclined to think that corrosion across the face of the points is the most likely problem, especially if there was any moisture where the bike was laid up.

Those relatively recent magnets should be OK, especially if the flywheel has been on there all this time.

Peter

[Jim Sherman]

I think you will find that those magnets are possibly Alnico (spelling?) and if so they should not need to be recharged like older magnets and trying to do so may harm them.

Jim

[Karl T Schwab]

Thanks Jim and Peter! This motorcycle is 40 years old and the flywheel has never been off! I did run a file between the points once or twice and followed that up by pulling a piece of card stock between them, the ususal fix. Perhaps I need to try it again. The shed is metal and the motorcycle is rusty from just sitting in it. I took the ignition switch apart today, it was clean, I removed the six wires going into it and reinstalled them just to be sure that there was no corrosion there. I'll get back at those points again just to be sure! This is really a neat old motorcycle for the dirt, easy to ride and comfortable. I turned 70 this week and I would like to ride it a bit again! Thanks guys, Karl

[kerogas]

The one thing that can get ya on one those is the crank seals . Watch out for signs that are leaking (having to pull it behind a car to get it to start ) or that runaway wing wing dindingsingsing when you let off the gas . Sitting around for 40 years should be enough reason to redtag em . It'll sorta stick the motor .