Featured Thunderbird 650 Electric’s

Discussion in 'Vintage Classics' started by Ethan, Mar 5, 2019.

  1. This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this site, you are agreeing to our use of cookies. Learn More.
  1. Ethan

    Ethan Well-Known Member

    Mar 5, 2019
    69
    63
    York
    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

    317A1B34-9583-4F94-8AD9-033C37F791C8.jpeg
     
    • Like Like x 13
  2. darkman

    darkman Crème de la Crème

    Oct 26, 2015
    7,545
    1,000
    Southcoast of the UK Earth
    I'm not familiar with the early Triumphs but the primary cover says alternator to me, have a look at this.
    650 pre unit wiring.jpg
     
    • Useful Useful x 2
    • Like Like x 1
  3. darkman

    darkman Crème de la Crème

    Oct 26, 2015
    7,545
    1,000
    Southcoast of the UK Earth
    Beautiful bike by the way :)
     
    • Agree Agree x 6
    • Like Like x 2
  4. Tricky-Dicky

    Tricky-Dicky Crème de la Crème

    Dec 12, 2016
    2,444
    1,000
    Norfolk UK
    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.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  5. Ethan

    Ethan Well-Known Member

    Mar 5, 2019
    69
    63
    York
    It doesn’t have the Dynamo in the front of the engine il post another pic of it tonight
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  6. Tricky-Dicky

    Tricky-Dicky Crème de la Crème

    Dec 12, 2016
    2,444
    1,000
    Norfolk UK
    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.
     
    • Agree Agree x 1
  7. Tricky-Dicky

    Tricky-Dicky Crème de la Crème

    Dec 12, 2016
    2,444
    1,000
    Norfolk UK
    • Like Like x 1
    • Useful Useful x 1
    • Agree Agree x 1
  8. Ethan

    Ethan Well-Known Member

    Mar 5, 2019
    69
    63
    York
    A close up of the engine

    C5B01C61-C26E-490B-BA4F-A9A46C237D04.jpeg

    87AF92C8-1301-4F65-9C1A-38701CE1F86C.jpeg

    EE8C157D-650A-46E6-864E-32559688AFFB.jpeg
     
    • Like Like x 5
  9. Ethan

    Ethan Well-Known Member

    Mar 5, 2019
    69
    63
    York
    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
     
    • Like Like x 5
    • Agree Agree x 1
  10. darkman

    darkman Crème de la Crème

    Oct 26, 2015
    7,545
    1,000
    Southcoast of the UK Earth
    If you are mechanically minded and keen then looking after and servicing these bike is fairly simple, good luck with your test :)
     
    • Agree Agree x 3
    • Like Like x 2
  11. Ethan

    Ethan Well-Known Member

    Mar 5, 2019
    69
    63
    York
    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
     
    • Like Like x 3
    • Agree Agree x 1
  12. Ethan

    Ethan Well-Known Member

    Mar 5, 2019
    69
    63
    York
    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
     
    • Like Like x 2
    • Agree Agree x 1
  13. Ken walburn

    Ken walburn Noble Member

    Jun 28, 2017
    888
    300
    Essex
    Love your guard dog
     
    • Agree Agree x 3
    • Like Like x 1
  14. Ethan

    Ethan Well-Known Member

    Mar 5, 2019
    69
    63
    York
    Ha she would be a crap guard dog she would give you a lift out with the bike
     
    • Funny Funny x 3
    • Like Like x 1
    • Agree Agree x 1
  15. joe mc donald

    Dec 26, 2014
    13,874
    1,000
    slough / burnham
    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.
     
    • Like Like x 2
    • Agree Agree x 2
  16. Ethan

    Ethan Well-Known Member

    Mar 5, 2019
    69
    63
    York
    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
     
    • Like Like x 1
  17. joe mc donald

    Dec 26, 2014
    13,874
    1,000
    slough / burnham
    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.
     
  18. Ethan

    Ethan Well-Known Member

    Mar 5, 2019
    69
    63
    York
    This is the pipe it runs out of engine at bottom of the barrel underneath and back into that case on the side

    01B36681-8554-4C6E-B9CE-02A806E7BDD1.jpeg

    A8FBD622-22C3-49A3-97E0-6A553E7F751C.jpeg

    37D4BAAC-38DA-435E-8331-E6F0808EC316.jpeg
     
    • Like Like x 1
  19. joe mc donald

    Dec 26, 2014
    13,874
    1,000
    slough / burnham
    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.
     
    • Like Like x 1
  20. Tricky-Dicky

    Tricky-Dicky Crème de la Crème

    Dec 12, 2016
    2,444
    1,000
    Norfolk UK
    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.:)
     
    • Like Like x 3
    • Useful Useful x 1
Loading...

Share This Page