From:Byrne Bramwell
E-Mail:<beb@magma.ca>
Subject:magneto bearings
Date:Fri Jul 9 23:49:25 2004
I am in the process of rebuilding a couple of Simms C4 and
Bosch FF4 magnetos. In researching the bearings used I have
found some information that may be of some use to others out
there.

The Simms and Bosch used the same magneto bearings. They
were made by different suppliers, but are the same size.
These bearings are also used on older British Lucas
magnetos.

The model number is "E 15". Note that Lucas also used E 18
bearings, but we do not need these.

SKF of Germany made these in the past, but my supplier could
not find them listed.

The new bearings I purchased are made by NSK of Japan and
cost me $12 Canadian each.

You can purchase the bearings from a British motorcycle
parts supplier, but they will cost you $35 Canadian or more.
The reason for the Lucas infromation is that you also need a
special paper gasket that isolates the bearing. These can be
purchased from several British motorcycle part suppliers.
Note that you want the gasket for the E 15 smaller bearing,
not the E 18 size. These suppliers sometimes have brass
shims to help space the bearings as well.

Hope this is of some use.

The 80 year old Simms mag will throw a spark for 3/4 of an
inch when spun by hand!

I have put a few hundred miles on the 29 KJ and sidecar this
summer. It draws a crowd whenever there are motorcyclists
around.

Cheers

Byrne Bramwell