I have owned a 1958 85 Sport for the last 20+ years. It was sold in Italy and in the USA where it was called the Bronco. Unfortunately it seems to be pretty rare in the UK so getting parts and information is difficult. It has a 6 volt AC generator with one 28 watt low voltage ignition coil and one 28 watt lighting coil. The current from the ignition coil is then taken to an external AC high voltage ignition coil. I have a problem somewhere, probably the low voltage ignition coil, which I would like some help with.
Welcome to the Forum Grumpy It may help someone who comes along if you explain a little about what the problem is? Is it getting replacement parts or ........?
I am finding it difficult to check whether the low voltage ignition coil has broken down. If I put a meter across the connections (when it is disconnected from the bike) I get a full scale reading. I would have expected a reading of a few ohms. When I kick the engine over the output of the coil moves the meter needle but the kick is so short I cannot read what the voltage is. The coil looks in good condition so I am reluctant to waste money if it does not need a rewind. Any help would be appreciated.
I had a similar problem many years ago on a Kreidler Moped. The low voltage ignition coil broke down on the road somewhere. I used the lighting coil instead and I got it running and it got me home. This might be a good way for you to test your coils.
Welcome Grumpy. I have a 97cc Ducati Cadet of the same vintage - I share your pain, Brother! Best wishes for getting it fixed, or repaired. As you may know, the last few remaining UK spares for these bikes (that were never imported officially, but came in as a diverted USA shipment - long story) were in possession of the Walker brothers (not a million miles away from you in Wisbech), not the crooning siblings, but respected author Mick Walker and his brother Rick, who survives him (last I heard). Other than that, it becomes a diet of trawling USA salvage dealers, a couple of places in Australia, or contacts in Italy.
I have no experience of this bike. Other small Ducati models of this era appear to have a lighting winding and a combined low voltage/HT winding with a contact breaker and a capacitor. Does this bike have an external coil? Whatever, like the OP I'd expect the low voltage winding to read several ohms and an HT winding to read several KΩ. I'm sure that if I had sight of it I could figure it out but otherwise I'm just guessing.
