12v Conversion Kit - Back to Classics

[Knutsonbm]

Does anybody have experience with the 12v conversion kit from "Back to Classics"?

I've heard horror stories of the Electrex version of this (and if those problems have been resolved I'd be happy to hear about it).

I am building a cafe racer out of a 1971 Ducati Scramber 450 and I THINK the stator is the last working part I need but the 6v ones seem to be tough to find

Thanks in advance for any advice

-Brandon

[Nick]

I put the Electrex (12V) flywheel/stator/rectifier on my 250 and it works fine. Plug and play, and no more messing with crazy old electrical systems.

[DewCatTea-Bob]

____ Welcome as our newest member, Brandon !


[quote= Knutsonbm ...
" I am building a cafe racer out of a 1971 Ducati Scramber 450 "

____ For 1971-models, the US. merely received the '450R/T' model, only ! _ So unless you actually have a leftover 1970-Scrambler, I'm led to suspect that your "1971" 450 may possibly be a 'R/T' -(Road & Track) model-version.
__ Do you have any picture of the frame, you could post ?



" I THINK the stator is the last working part I need but the 6v ones seem to be tough to find "

____ I'm not one (of the vast majority) who tends to prefer allowing the electrically-uninclined to continue assuming that there are actually alt.stators which are meant to produce either 12-volts or 6-volts ! _ So whether you find such that's 'rated' either for a 12v.system or a 6v.system, that doesn't mean that it can't be used for the other rated-voltage as well, (since most-all alt.stators are capable of well-over even a 24-volt level) !
After all, if it were possible for them to be made to continually produce a particular voltage (for any load-system) at all points within the expected rev.range, then there'd be no need for any voltage-regulator circuits of any kind !
__ If there were an established 'standardization' where an alternator that's connected-up with a certain/standardized load-value and spun at a certain standardized RPM, to then be found to achieve either 6-volts or 12-volts (with a fairly reasonable 20%-tolerance range),, then it could possibly be somewhat fair to refer-to an alternator as either a '6-volt' or '12-volt' model/version. _ But since such a limited standardization would likely be misleading in the majority of actual electrical-system examples, it's always actual MISinformation for manuals,etc. to refer-to any alternator as '6-volt' or '12-volt' !!
____ Why do you need to find a stator, what seems to be the problem with the one that your 450 came with ??



" Thanks in advance for any advice "

____ I'd advise saving yourself from overpaying your project-funds for extortionately overpriced aftermarket-systems that do little more than a stock alternator can be made capable of providing !
So why even consider other than 'DUCATI' ? _ Do you expect to do most of your riding in down-town stop&go-traffic with your headlight always left turned-on, and/or intend to employ a headlight that's much stronger than 45-watts ?


Duke-Cheers,
DCT-Bob

[Knutsonbm]

Thanks for the welcome, I'm stoked that this forum exists, there truly is something for everybody on the internet!

Got a picture of the frame to post ?

I suspect you are correct and I've probably been calling it a scrambler incorrectly this whole time. If that offends anybody I apologize!

162795_10150158792130830_7327080_n.jpg

Why do you need to find a stator, what seems to be the problem with the one that your 450 came with ?

Charred Coil Winding.........sorry No picture.......

Do you intend to do most of your riding in down-town stop&go-traffic with your headlight always left turned-on, and/or intend to employ a headlight that's much stronger than 45-watts ?

Unfortunately, here in the Seattle area, there is ALWAYS the possibility of stop & go traffic, even with being able to use the HOV lane being on a motorcycle. Also, there is a high probability of taking it for a spin in the downtown area once it is done (have to show it off every now and then). Regarding the 45watt headlight......haven't got that far yet, from the sound of it.........if I take your advice (and you seem to be the expert here)......I will NOT run a headlight greater than 45 watts haha, a little nugget i'll keep in mind once I get to the headlight. But whatever headlight I choose, It will always be on when riding. I've had enough close calls of people pulling out in front of me even WITH a headlight on (on other bikes), I can't imagine how tough this little bike would be to see without an operating light.

I'm not one (of the vast majority) who tends to prefer allowing the electrically-uninclined to continue assuming that there are actually alt.stators which are meant to produce either 12-volts or 6-volts ! _ So whether you find such that's 'rated' either for a 12v.system or a 6v.system, that doesn't mean that it can't be used for the other rated-voltage as well, (since most-all alt.stators are capable of well-over even a 24-volt level) !
After all, if it were possible for them to be made to continually produce a particular voltage (for any load-system) at all points within the expected rev.range, then there'd be no need for any voltage-regulator circuits of any kind !

Electrically uninclined I am, hence the reason I am here Being the inclined individual here, what stator do you recommend I purchase? A part number or link to the actual part for sale would be extremely helpful!

Thanks again!

[DewCatTea-Bob]

____ Coincidentally, it seems you started writing-up your second-post just after I had begun editing mine.



[quote= Knutsonbm ...
" I suspect you are correct and I've probably been calling it a scrambler incorrectly "

____ Actually I hadn't made any conclusion to be right or wrong about,, but from your picture, we now know that your 450-frame must be a 1970 450-Scrambler ! _ But then your engine ought-to have a tach.drive [instead of the plain bevel-cover] !
Does your cyl.head also have a 'DESMO' cover (seen opposite-side), or rather '450' ?



" Charred Coil Winding. "

____ If it's truly "Charred" (as can only happen when a near fully charged battery has somehow been allowed to short-circuit though it long enough to make it smoke), then indeed it probably can no-longer be used (as is).
However if the windings are merely browned, then it may still be in a fully operational state of condition.
__ You can check which possible state is really the actual condition, by doing an ohm-meter test on each of the pair of stator-windings. _ But you'd need an ohm-meter that's capable of taking readings under 1.0-ohm.



" there is ALWAYS the possibility of stop & go traffic, "

____ Assuming you don't rely on just a little itty-bitty battery, the battery is expected to get you through a non-overextended trip through such riding conditions,, especially if you retain the stock 30-watt HL.sealed-beam, (which should get you through an entire day of such near-idle running) !



" Regarding the 45watt headlight......
I will NOT run a headlight greater than 45 watts . "

____ You could get-by with a 65/45w 12v.bulb, but you'd then have-to keep your average-RPMs above 4.5-grand whenever riding with the high-beam left constantly activated for over a half-hour at a time.



" It will always be on when riding. I've had enough close calls of people pulling out in front of me even WITH a headlight on "

____ One of those damn blind-drivers once totaled a freshly restored 1966 250-Scrambler I was riding with headlight at full-brightness, (by making a lefthand-turn directly into the left-side of me,, at an intersection, back in '77) ! _ That was fortunately my worst example, of a number of such instances !
__ It seems that headlights are-not sufficient, (and-so we rather need hologram-projectors that make ya look like a brightly multi-colored semi-transport TRUCK) !
But what I found that more-so helps (than a steady lit headlight), is to employ a winker-blinker option within the headlight-circuit (for daytime use).



" Electrically uninclined I am, "

____ Unfortunately, it has seemed that many of even those who have thought they had nothing left to learn about Ducati-electricals, still had significant information yet to learn from me.
So you're fairly far from being alone in such regard.



" what stator do you recommend I purchase? "

____ Unfortunately there's not much of any choice to speak of, (if you wish to keep both arms & legs).
If you would never consider rewinding your-own stator, then hopefully your existing unit is still good enough to pass an ohm-meter check.


Hopeful-Cheers,
-Bob

[graeme]

Hello Brandon,

From your pic it looks like a 450 Scrambler engine (valve decompressor in exhaust rocker cover, 10 fins on the cylinder and no drilling behind the head oil return as a Desmo head would have)
Your frame seems to be a 250 frame as there is no gussets on the down tubes that the 450's had. No issue there as the 250 frames are fine, and it's easier to fit a decent carb and air cleaner. Also the rear loop under the seat doesn't appear to rise up like Scrambler frames did. Maybe a road frame?
Hard to see clearly in your picture.
Looks like a good project,,, enjoy.

Graeme

[DewCatTea-Bob]

[quote= graeme ...
" it looks like a 450 Scrambler engine (valve decompressor in exhaust rocker cover,
and no drilling behind the head oil return as a Desmo head would have) "

____ Good points (to eliminate a R/T-engine) ! _ I guess I should've bothered to download the pic and have a closer look myself.
Could still possibly be a 450Mark-3 motor though.



" Your frame seems to be a 250 frame as there is no gussets on the down tubes that the 450's had.
Also the rear loop under the seat doesn't appear to rise up like Scrambler frames did. Maybe a road frame? "

____ Obviously then not a 450Scrambler-frame ! _ And likely indeed a road-model frame.
So this 450-Duke can no-longer be rightfully referred-to as a genuine 'Scrambler', but may more-so possibly get away with being passed-off as a '450 Mark 3' model.
__ A Mark-3 model would also rather have a 18" front-wheel,
so is it a 18, or 19-inch version (which would normally go-with the [updated-appearance] Scr.gas-tank scheme) ?



" Hard to see clearly in your picture. "

____ Without this statement having been made, this-post of mine wouldn't have been inspired into existence now !
__ I've now posted an enhanced pic.version below.


Enlightened-Cheers,
-Bob

[Knutsonbm]

Different angle pic with wheels and motor number

[Knutsonbm]

Bevel heaven has this motor number listed just as a 450, but right in line with the '71 R/T's.....if that means anything

[DewCatTea-Bob]

[quote= Knutsonbm ...
" Bevel heaven has this motor number listed
right in line with the '71 R/T's.....if that means anything "

____ Your 450's motor-number is certainly indeed too new to be a 1970 model !
What this most-likely means is that you must've ended-up with a Duke made from a batch of unwanted parts which someone had leftover (after combining their preferred bit-picks from several Dukes, to construct their project-Duke with their most favored Duke-parts).
Your motor & bevel-cover are thusly from a 1971 450R/T, and the frame is probably from a 350Mk.3.
__ How long have you been in possession of your compilation-Duke, and do you personally-know the previous-owner ?


Duke-Cheers,
-Bob