The Harley Hummer Club

I have a1956 st engine which is of course a battery style ignition. I have a magneto setup and I’m wondering how I could convert my battery style engine to a magneto. I would love to be able to get the battery gone. I read a post on here somewhere where someone mentioned having an st engine that had been converted to magneto but they didn’t go into what had to be done to accomplish the task.

you have to have the right magneto to start with. I'll see about getting a pic tomorrow

Awesome, thanks.

here is what a NOS magneto for the generator models looks like

Real problem is, with that Bendix magneto, there's barely enough room for it to fit. Much less room than for later style 2 coil Hummer magneto.

It's ignition only, no lighting coils.

You'll have to do some carving on the aluminum to get it to fit. Sorry, I don't have enough experience to suggest other alternatives.

Thats ok, MANY people used this magneto in the 50's. Only 2 lines across the right case to clear the coil clamps. Thats the only mod needed

That’s great. Thanks for the pictures. Now I’m wondering if anyone has one of those for sale. Or where I could find one to buy.

Im fixing to install this NOS mag in a 53 165. Got the mounting plate machined and everything but the 3 bolts and 3 spacers.

I think i have one, but problem is the insulation over the coil breaks down over time exposing the windings. This coil is the same design as that used in the 55-57 Hummer but smaller. I was successful in coating my Hummer coil with epoxy, and it seems to work. New coils are available for the Hummer magnetos, but I haven't a clue where to find one of these smaller coils.

Also, if a PO decided to solder the HT lead to the coil's output tab, that connection is sure to break, and when it does, you't need to be really good to pick up that fine lead and make up a new connection.

1960's Maico Scramblers came with these Bendix magnetos, but for a generator sparked Harley 125 or 165, adaptors for both the stator and magnet rotor would have to be made up or found.

I would think in this day and age something smaller and more efficient and rugged would be a better choice, but I haven't a clue where to even start.

you can always use a brand new PVL cdi magneto. Boomhower fixed one up for a motor for me a few years back