Re: Electronic ignition.

Ian Mc · Post by **Ian Mc** » Tue Jun 30, 2026 2:51 pm

Does anyone know of a company that could make an ignition unit for Commanders? Mine has packed up again and it has already been repaired twice. Minimag cannot give a date for a new one. I have tried Rex's and Electrex. Andover Norton don't want to know. After 30 years of ownership is the rotary dead.

steve traynor · Post by **steve traynor** » Thu Jul 02, 2026 9:44 pm

Does Graham at Startright have any in stock?

Malcolm King · Post by **Malcolm King** » Mon Jul 06, 2026 12:46 pm

I think I can be of help.
Try Julian of Minimag. I fitted one of his excellent ignition systems to my Interpol 2 and I cannot speak highly enough about it. Julian is a really helpful fellow and certainly knows a thing or two about electronics. You can read all about it on his web site:
https://minimagneto.co.uk/Norton-Rotary.php

Good luck

Regards
Malcolm

Ian Mc · Post by **Ian Mc** » Tue Jul 07, 2026 11:20 pm

I first tried Startright 3 months ago, they were unable to help. Asked again last week and they said Tuesday but still waiting for news. Minimag can not give a date for producing a new unit. Without a working ignition unit it is scrap.

fogrider · Post by **fogrider** » Wed Jul 08, 2026 8:40 am

Could be worth a ring to Boyer Bransden ? I believe they made the originals . Their workshop guy was very helpful with my old Honda Boyer, they might be able to test yours for faults at least.
Looks like anything 's worth a try these days.
Re Startright, Graham is rarely there now, ask to be put in touch direct, the son does'nt seem to have the same interest in rotaries.

Ian Mc · Post by **Ian Mc** » Wed Jul 08, 2026 2:00 pm

Already tried Boyer, they did not seem interested in restarting production. There are too few of us Rotaries for firms to be interested. Even Andover Norton didn't want to know, but if I don't own a Norton, I will not need spare parts from them.

fogrider · Post by **fogrider** » Wed Jul 08, 2026 3:06 pm

I don't know who the members/owners of Wiz racing are, but I assume they have new ignition systems available to them ?

Can someone from Wiz Norton chip in here ?

rustynuts · Post by **rustynuts** » Wed Jul 08, 2026 3:47 pm

The pictures of the Wiz Norton bikes I have seen have a multi tooth ignition trigger, so they are probably using a general purpose programmable race ignition unit. These bikes do not have the standard flywheel and alternator. Fitting one to a road model would be non-trivial engineering exercise, probably requiring machining of a new flywheel with a multitooth pattern on its circumference. The unit probably wouldn't be able to provide the engine temperature dependent retard function.

Which ignition unit do you have? The Boyer is fully potted so isn't repairable, but the Minimag isn't potted so may be repairable.

I have designed a replacement ignition system for the Classic/Commander. Once it has been tested on my bike, I may produce for others if there is demand. That would probably be at least a year away as I have another bike to finish before I get round to working on my rotary.