alternator covers

R

rogerd

Full member
I'm looking at the alternator cover on the Project Formula Mirage and it is a poor fit - particularly at the front where it does not line up with the crankcase front edge.

It is a different cover than was originally fitted to the bike but is stamped "Laverda ECC LM4M" on the inside with a part number. it is noticibly thicker around the mounting screws.

Does anyone know is this because it is a reproduction part or were they thickened in later model to strengthen them?
 

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LM 4 is I believe a type of alloy and is the same as Laverda grade stuff... This maybe spurious but I think it is right...

                  Timmy
 
Original factory covers were die-cast, fit accurately and have a smooth finish on the inside. 

There was an attempt a few years ago to reproduce the covers by sand-casting.  These worked out a bit thicker all round and don't fit very well, as you have found out!  They usually have a quite porous surface and have a rough, sand-cast finish on the inside.  Reckon the stamping was just taken over from the original from which the mould was produced.

piet
 
sfcpiet said:
Original factory covers were die-cast, fit accurately and have a smooth finish on the inside. 

There was an attempt a few years ago to reproduce the covers by sand-casting.  These worked out a bit thicker all round and don't fit very well, as you have found out!  They usually have a quite porous surface and have a rough, sand-cast finish on the inside.  Reckon the stamping was just taken over from the original from which the mould was produced.

piet
Click to expand...

That makes sense as the fit on mine is very poor especially at the front - I will have to keep an eye out for one that fits properly.........
 
Didn't Gavin Spencer make/have some made a while back..recall seeing ads in LVV...maybe he has some/one left?
Nick7
 
Thanks for the info I'll keep an eye on the dreaded e-bay to see if I can pick up an original. If not there appear to be several repro options available now.
 
My experience with the sand cast covers is that several hours with a dremel or die grinder will make the much lighter.
You need to be careful as the crank end/nut hit on the sancast unit if the unit is not ground back in that area - behind the raised section with the LAVERDA logo cast in.
They are still not as finely detailed and match fitting as the original, but are better than a cracked and dented original unit.
 
Gavin Spencer has just posted on the ILOC site that he has had another batch of 180 alternator casings made up at ?150 each.

Scrumpy
 
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