Hi I am a little stuck I have a 1955 triumph thunderbird which I inherited 7 years ago when I was 19, I am trying to work out how to power my lights I got them all working when hooked up to a charged battery but there is no connection to the engine to charge a battery and I am not too clued up on electrics any advice would be appreciated, Thanks Ethan
I'm not familiar with the early Triumphs but the primary cover says alternator to me, have a look at this.
Very nice looking bike, yes it does look like an alternator primary, but it looks like there may be a dynamo ...need a better pic to see.
So alternator, you need to find out which system it has as the early alternator models had slightly different wiring to the later models, the diagram Darkman has supplied looks like a dynamo diagram to me, some of the alternators where wired differently so you need to know which yours is wired as. The above diagram shows an ignition circuit which yours does not have being magneto, i'll see if i can find any of my old manuals.
And thanks again for the help my grandad passed away before he had chance to teach me about the bike and I’m currently in the process of doing my bike test so I can appreciate it properly and I just want to make it right and learn what I can about it so I’m not stuck when it goes wrong so any help is very much appreciated
If you are mechanically minded and keen then looking after and servicing these bike is fairly simple, good luck with your test
I like to fix my own things do my own car and stuff if I can but I’m new to how the older bikes are I’ve only ever had off road 2 stroke bikes so I didn’t want to mess with anything without some research first and thank you hopefully pass first time and get out on it this summer
I like to fix my own things do my own car and stuff if I can but I’m new to how the older bikes are I’ve only ever had off road 2 stroke bikes so I didn’t want to do anything without some research first and thank you hopefully pass first time and get out on it this summer
Ethan What a cracking machine you have there. I was looking it over and see you have the oem switches on the headlamp and handlebars. So just trace those wires and you will sort your lights. But I would think it is something fairly simple. Make sure all the connections are clean the battery is good and you are there. Welcome to the Family and do keep us in the picture as to how it goes. You know that bike in that condition is one of the greatest investments you will have. Ride Safe & enjoy Joe.
Hi thank you and I got all the lights working and a break light switch wired up a while ago but I can’t find any wires that come out of the engine to charge the battery, I looked on line and the hole where the wires would come off the alternator and out of the engine has a pipe onto it instead, The pipe comes out of the bottom of the barrel like a crank case breather and into the clutch side of the engine so I’m not too sure what best to do now
Ethan That's one to ask Darkman. He is the genius among us where restoration is mentioned. Pictures always help if you can get to the area. Perhaps get someone to hold a torch to show it up better. Regards Joe.
This is the pipe it runs out of engine at bottom of the barrel underneath and back into that case on the side
Ethan. That's a breather pipe. Not sure if it is in the right place but looks right. Your bike should have the electrics under the seat or side panel and I think that will supply your lights charging and most other things. You should have a rectifier and diode there. This is only my thoughts. Do ask some one like DarkMan. Regards Joe.
I would start with removing the primary cover and see where the alternator wiring exits the case...if indeed it has an alternator fitted, the fact that you cant find the wire is a bit worrying, but removing the cover will at least confirm the wire location and then you can trace its route and find the regulator/zener diode and trace the charging circuit, if you can get the lighting circuit working you should have no problem with the rest...and if you do just put up a pic and your inquiry here and we can help.
