The Moto-Guzzi Nuovo Falcone VOC

Hello Olebmw,
Well I've done quite a few hundred miles with my Kubota alternator set up and so far it's 100% successful.
It's such a sturdy piece of equipment I think that it will go on for ever.
So yes ! I can fully recommend it.

In reply to Patentgeek’s post about single wire alternators, here are details of something similar that I have fitted to my NF custom build.
Having said that, I do not encourage non original modifications to machines which are otherwise standard and perfectly capable of working efficiently with the standard equipment.
However my requirement was to replace my ‘dead loss’ battery system with something small and neat which would allow me to use my headlamp during both daytime and night time riding.
I came across (or should I say Banquo came across) a Kubota 12 amp permanent magnet alternator, as fitted to lawn tractors, etc.
It is very small and neat and driven via a standard Z 21.5” vee belt.

IMG_4190 by bancquo

As can be seen in the photograph it mounts on the standard dynamo mounting lug and just needs the addition of a small tensioning bracket at the front.
However it is not a single wire system. In fact it is a six wire system but it is all very simple to wire in place.
Because it is a permanent magnet device there is no control of output and so the spare energy has to be dumped through the separate voltage regulator, though heat loss.

IMG_4239 by bancquo

My voltage regulator is mounted under the saddle, on a heat sink (bit of sheet steel) in an area where there is some air movement.
Due to the small size of the alternator pulley the rotational speed is about 2 x engine speed. However on my bike, which is fitted with a smaller than standard rear sprocket 50 mph is equivalent to 2500 rpm. This means that the alternator will be doing 5000 rpm at normal cruising speed.
It remains to be seen if that will be too fast both in terms of bearing wear and heat dissipation through the regulator.
Time will tell !
Something that was really strange was that the purchase price from an Australian supplier was nearly £100 less than a UK supplier. But then I had to pay custom charges which did reduce the saving a bit.
Weird though !!!

So, to summarise, it fits very easily on the original dynamo mounting lug, and maintains the minimal look of the bike.

It's not road tested yet but everything is looking good at the moment.

HELLO GLESCABOY,
WELCOME TO THE CLUB !
I WONDER IF IT WAS MINE ? I LIVE IN ANGUS AND SOLD ONE A FEW YEARS BACK. IT WAS GREEN (ISH !)
I FITTED AN ELECTRIC LEG AND PUT A STARTER SOLENOID IN THE TOOL BOX.
THE STARTING TECHNIQUE IS EASY.
PULL UP THE DE-COMPRESSION LEVER, SPIN THE ENGINE ON THE SELF STARTER UNTIL IT IT UP TO FULL SPEED AND RELEASE THE DE-COMPRESSION LEVER.
EASY PEASY !
IF IT DOESN'T START FIRST TIME SOMETHING IS WRONG !
NOT FORGETTING THE CHOKE OF COURSE !
I STILL HAVE A NUOVO FALCONE BUT IT IS A CUSTOM STYLE, VERY NON-ORIGINAL, BUT RATHER HANDSOME !

Johnedwards, you might be right !
After thorough de-greasing of the plates,  smoothing  the slots in the clutch basket and the lugs on the clutch plates and re-filling with semi synthetic oil I now have a nice non-dragging clutch.
There is hardly a jerk when I engage bottom gear from cold, even without the pre- declutch procedure.
Something has cured the problem, sounds like semi- synthetic oil is a good tip.
Thanks !
Tonya

Hi guys,
I've been having trouble with a sticking clutch !
It feels as if the plates stick together overnight.
And then, on the first start up of the day the bike leaps forward when first gear is selected and charges away running over anything that gets in the way.
Something had to be done before someone got hurt and the reason for this topic is to show how easy it is to make a simple clutch release tool.
The picture says it all !!!!!!!!!!



Maybe the 20 or 30 years that the bike resided in some Croatian warehouse didn't do the clutch much good.
Anyway I've degreased the plates and given the slots and lugs a good hard wire brushing.
Time will tell if it has all worked.

Maybe  somebody out there knows something that I don't !
Tonya

Well Sir,
The end of the swinging arm is flat so that will (I hope !) hold them in place until the axle nut is tightened.
I'll have to tighten the side where the adjuster stud thingy locates on the drive hub I guess ? in case it tries to turn.
Time will tell ! They are at the platers at the moment.
Cheers
Tonya

Hi Guys,
When the time came to paint the frame I couldn't resist the temptation to knock off those awful brackets that the chain adjuster relies upon to tighten the chain.
You know the ones, they get bent and then they fall off when you try to straighten them with a big hammer.
Then what ? well, necessity being the mother of invention, I came up with a pair of little brackets which hook over the end of the swinging arm.
Time will tell how successful they are but they do look very promising.
I just thought that the pictures might help someone out of a little bit of trouble.
Have a good Christmas everyone, Spring is just round the corner 
Tonya

Hello Guys,
I've just come across some photographs of the bike belonging to LEAFMAN 60.
That petrol tank is really elegant.
Can anybody tell me where it is from or what bike it is from.
It would transform my N.F. bobber and make it quite handsom I think.
Happy Christmas everybody !
tonya