Morris Magneto - The Difference

29 Dec

Posted By Semigalls Custom Motorcycles 0 Comment(s) 6239 View(s) Morris Magneto Installation Instructions

Years ago, all magneto suppliers used Fairbanks Morse magnetos (including Harley-Davidson). But as the casting dies, QC, reliability, etc. went downhill, so did their reputation. MORRIS MAGNETO set a goal of designing and building the magneto, an inherently reliable ignition, to be the ultimate ignition, easier starting than other available magneto brands. We present the following comparison chart.

Today’s spark output is roughly double what it used to be, and we think you’ll agree the extra effort has been well worth it. The rotor is an especially critical part, and ours is better by far; it’s bulletproof design for efficiency and resistance to malfunction is shared by all MORRIS MAGNETO models.

	Morris Magneto	Others

First to use on Harleys		√

HOUSING

First to make CNC billet housings	√

Material	6061-T6511	n/d

Smooth contoured look; no coil screws	yes	no

Hand-cut brushed finish	yes	no

Line-bored top bearing location	yes	?

Field laminations posi-locked in place	yes	no way!


ROTOR

First rare-earth rotors	√

Magnets, retention	2 full,sealed Stainless shell	4 seg. open arc w/#4-40 screws

Cam angle adjustable	yes	no

Cam material, finish	Stainless Steel, polished	mild steel, mill finish

Magnetic field layout (also see torque)	complete	broken segments

Most magnet volume	√

Rotor shaft construction	One-piece	Two-piece

Shaft material	ground, case-hardened to 60RC	turned mild steel

Gear mount on shaft	> 5/16 press, tacked	5/16 undercut (small), pinned

ASSEMBLY – magneto head

Least torque needed to turn	√

Less eddy-currents, runs cooler	√

Cover gasket	neoprene, .090″	paper, .030″

Coil retention	internal; sealed	external

Orig. F-M blue-print specs accuracy	< .001″	.007″

Top bearing mount line-bored	yes	no

Bearing removal access holes	3	2 (binds)

Support mount surface flatness	<.002″	>.004″

Unique easy-adjust points feature	yes	no

Orig. F-M design contact set	yes	no

Bottom seal	double-lip	single-lip

Shaft thrust surface, various models	oilite	snap-ring


STANDARD MAGNETO MODELS	(defined as needing a sufficient kick to create a spark)

XL to ’70 & Flathd, advance mechanism	yes	no

36-’69 Big Twin, advance mechanism	yes	no

36-’69 Big Twin, drive mount seals	internal & external	none

36-’69 Big Twin, least clearance issues	√

70-’99 Big Twin, advance mechanism	yes	yes

70 up Big Twin, first upright model	√

70 up Big Twin dual mag (has advance)	√

70 up BT, no adv mech, horiz “sticks out”	no	yes

Pre-Unit Triumph, w/advance mechanism	yes	no

Pre-Unit Triumph,timing slots, fits bore	Yes, -.001″	No, -.017”

Unit Triumph, ARD type mount,advance	yes	no

Unit Triumph, model that “sticks out”	no	yes

Max number of moving parts, all models	5	>20

Yamaha XS650 magneto	√

NEW! Onboard retard-advance cap kit	√


IMPULSE COUPLED EASY START MAGS	Only available from Morris Magneto, no competitor models
	(note, ’70 up Big Twin ‘look-alike’ is a standard type mag).

G-5 36-’69 Big Twin	√
Maximum clearance	√

H-5 36-’69 Big Twin generator mount	√

M-5 70-99 Big Twin	√

T-5 Twin Cam	√
oil fed gears, max. A/C clearance, more	√
case bolts (stock H-D 10)	10	9
maximum air cleaner clearance	√

F-5 Flathead (on XL, carb interferes)	√


PRICING

Standard models (comparable models)	889. – 1295.	834. – 1186.

Impulse models (polished, M5 brushed)	1395. – 1649.	not available