Steve Brown

Sorry this report has taken so long. I'd like to report that I've just completed a 10,000 mile test of the new mag. That as you know would not be true, alas I've only managed 1500 miles. That is my own fault for this winter I'm feeling the cold for the first time so I have not been out on the bike as much as planned. I have however been doing a little commuting with the G80L and some "fast" road work as well as pottering around the lanes. As you know I did 5400 miles with the first prototype BT-H mag and found it to not only cure some of the previous weaknesses of the original Lucas but also to give a boost in performance! The top speed was increased by 5mph and the midrange urge was noticeable!, i.e. previously there wasn't any! So, you can imagine how disappointed I was when you took the BT-H back to carry out the upgrades. This meant I had to put the Lucas N1 back on in the meantime. It's fair to point out that my Lucas mag is in good condition having been overhauled not that long ago and it starts, idles and runs just as it should but having once tried the BT-H electronic system you just don't want to go back! OK then, how's the upgrade doing? Well I don't want to let this one go either. The top speed is back, it starts as easily as the prototype if not better and the idling is 100% even at the silly low speed I've set it, just to prove the point. The extra adv/retard you've built in means I can use top gear down to 15 mph and still pull away smoothly. That’s an improvement of about 5 mph over the Lucas and to do that you need to be handy with the manual adv/ret lever. I probably wouldn't recommend you set the idle as low as I have done (feels like about 400rpm) as when you pull up to a stop the engine speed drops so much you think it's stalling and give the throttle a blip needlessly and the bloke on the Fireblade next to you thinks you want a race. Well maybe I do but I wouldn't want to let him know in advance of the lights changing, that gives me a good 6 or 7 feet advantage, essential in traffic light GP's. The unit is proving unworried by water as well, I've managed to submerge it a couple of times in the local fords and riding in heavy rain is obviously no challenge. To sum up, “it does what it says on the can” and even more, when you take in the peace of mind, knowing that no matter how hot or wet or cold you get the bike you still have sparks! No I definitely don't want to go back!

P.S. I've still got straight 50w oil in the tank, normally in cold weather you can't turn the engine over quickly enough to start it, I've only just realised that advantage!

Since this report Steve has also been to the AJS & Matchless Club rally at Dijon in France on his G80. No more reports so far. Too busy with his new job at Arnold's in Coalville and course riding his bike!

Steve's latest update is that he has done another 12,000 to 15,000. The speedometer trip mileage packed up after 12,000 but the magneto is still going strong.

Steve now works for the BMF. The G80 and BT-H magneto are still going strong. He recently used the Matchless to do 500 miles and get a gold award in the AC-U National Rally.

I took a look at the reports on my G80L mag and see that you've had nothing from me for ages, Sorry. It's still doing the biz, and in danger of being forgotten as it just keeps on going and you forget about it with all the other jobs that keep cropping up. Since the last update I've added about 7,000 miles to it, and also did the National Rally again. This time I got "Special Gold" for doing 540 miles, got the best pre 1970 award AND finished 5th overall!

I've also fitted the sidecar again for the winter roads, so it will continue to be used while the twin stays in for the worst weather. (Picture of Steve and the outfit.)